Irish Orangery

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The orangery never really made it to Ireland during that era for a number of reasons. Even though the English occupied Ireland at the height of the popularity of the orangery, the mansions built by the landlords in Ireland, though large, were not considered fitting for such additions. In any case, these homes were considered only temporary or summer residences and such frippery was usually indulged in the permanent home of the landlord on English soil.

The most famous Irish Orangery was designed and built by William Burn in 1852 after the fashion of the Crystal Palace in London. It is part of the beautiful Kilruddery House and Gardens, near Bray in County Wicklow and both house and gardens plus the orangery are open to visitors during the summer months.

The original glass dome was the work of Richard Turner who designed the curvilinear range at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin and at Kew Gardens in London. The restoration of the curvilinear glass buildings of the Dublin Botanic Gardens in 1995 is a stunning sight and is representative of the only large orangery ever constructed in Ireland.

The Orangery houses an interesting collection of marble statues gathered in Italy in the 1830 - 1850 period. Classical figures include Ganymede giving water to Zeus disguised as an eagle; Cyparissus with his dying deer; Cupid with Pysche and Venus. Other prominent busts include Homer, Socrates, Napoleon, William Pitt and Wellington.

This building was restored in the year 2000, with financial help from the European Regional Development Fund administered by Bord Fáilte.