It’s only when the country is settled, stable and peaceful that civilization exists. Ireland has seen many troubled days in its history but as the 17th century slipped away; a degree of stability was seen in Ulster which made it possible to develop the local era of elegance.
In this episode of the series Brian Boyd explores the architectural developments of this period from simple traditional style houses such as Berwick Hall near Moira, County Down to the more intricate Palladian-style villa, Bellamont House, at Cootehill designed by Edward Lovett Pearce for his uncle. He also visits Ardress House where simplicity turned into elegance by remodelling and Castle Ward, known for its fusion of Classical & Strawberry Hill Gothic style. These houses were designed to impress, and they were some of the last houses in the elegant twilight of an idyllic rural life and very soon the industry and urban development would step in and change it all.