ABSTRACT
On 14 February 1768, Lady Louisa Conolly (née Lennox) wrote to her sister, Sarah: ‘At any time that you chance to go into a print shop, I should be obliged to you if you will buy me five or six large prints. There are some of Teniers, engraved by Le Bas, which I am told are larger than the common size. If you meet with any, pray send a few’. From 1762, it was well known by those close to her that Lady Louisa (1743–1821) was collecting prints. The collection that she lovingly assembled can be seen today at Castletown House in the form of an eighteenth-century print room: the only surviving example of its kind in Ireland, and one of the finest examples remaining in the British Isles. This meticulously planned print room was the work of a discerning mind, and a skilled hand created its harmonious and symmetrical design. This elaborate scheme has been impressive enough to withstand changes in ownership of the house, as well as changing tastes in interior decoration. This print room tells a story about Lady Louisa’s commitment, values, and interests, and it also gives insight into her personality. Print rooms were a place for social and intellectual exchange that today still carry a cultural value and legacy. With proper conservation, O’Regan argues, the Castletown House print room can remain an awe-inspiring space for visitors in the years to come.
