Ormond Historical Society hosts talk on demesne landscapes

The Ormond Historical Society season of monthly lectures concludes in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, on Monday night next, with 'Irish Demesne Landscapes, 1660 - 1740', by Dr Vandra Costello.

This talk will look at the development of demense landscapes and formal gardens in Ireland during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Dr Vandra Costello trained as a barrister but had a huge love of history and gardening. She attended UCD and did a MA in landscape architecture followed by a PhD in landscape history in the School of Architecture.

She has taught courses in landscape history as visiting lecturer in Waterford, Ulster School of Art and UCD. Dr Costello is also a regular lecturer to garden and heritage societies, the Irish Georgian Society, etc. She is also Garden Editor of Image Interiors and Living Magazine and a contributing editor of Garden Heaven Magazine.

Dr Costello has published scholarly articles in a number of peer-reviewed journals and her book, Irish Demesne Landscapes, was published by Four Courts Press in 2014. She is currently working on a second book on eighteenth century landscapes in Ireland.

Meanwhile, 'Talking History at Steeples continues on Saturday next at 11am. This week the topic is 'Tipperary - William Leeson's Lost Legacy'.

This talk will focus on the four houses which the architect William Leeson designed in Co Tipperary. Of the four - Traverstown, Kilboy, Johnstown and Prior Park - only Prior Park has survived as an original building. Originally delivered as part of the Westport 250 celebrations last October, the talk covers the design and building of the houses, the destruction of three of them and the rebirth of Kilboy.

The speaker is John Flannery. All are welcome, Admission: €5.