North Kerry's 18th Century Historic Houses seminar

North Kerry's 18th Century Historic Houses: architectural and landscape treasures seminar.

As part of Architecture Kerry Festival 2026, the Irish Georgian Society is partnering with Kerry County Council’s Architectural Conservation Officer & Heritage Officer, Dr Victoria McCarthy to deliver a seminar entitled, North Kerry's18th Century Historic Houses: architectural and landscape treasures, which will take place in the Kerry’s Writers’ Museum in Listowel on Friday 9th October 2026.

The seminar will celebrate the rich historic cultural landscape of north Kerry, and its wealth of country houses and designed landscapes, ranging from the homes of minor gentry to the mansion house of the Earl of Kerry, Lord Fitzmaurice. By focusing on the legacy of these houses and landscapes, the Society and Kerry County Council wish to promote greater awareness amongst the public and key stakeholders of their importance and highlight the future potential of these cultural assets, as well as threats to their survival in the 21st century. Where the houses and landscapes are lost, we hope the seminar will promote an understanding of any remaining historic features of their demesnes as well as encourage an awareness of the social, economic, and political history relating to both their construction and demise.

Distinguished speakers and chairs include Kay Caball, Donough Cahill, Tom Dillon, Professor Terry Dooley, Dr Declan Downey, Prof David Fleming, Dr Erika Hanna, Dr John Knightly, Professor Finola O’Kane, Jane Hea O’Keefe and Dr Victoria McCarthy.