Farmleigh
historyFarmleigh was formerly one of the Dublin residences of the Guinness brewing family. It is situated on extensive private gardens of 31 hectares (78 acres) to the north-west of the Phoenix Park. It was purchased from the Guinness family in 1999 for €29.2m and, following extensive renovation by the Office of Public Works, is now the official Irish State Guest House. It was opened to the public in July 2001.
History
Farmleigh was once a small Georgian house built in the 18th century. It was purchased by Edward Cecil Guinness when he married his cousin Adelaide Guinness in 1873. He was a great-grandson of Arthur Guinness and was created Earl of Iveagh in 1919. A major renovation programme took place between 1881 and 1884 that extended the house to the west and added a third floor designed by Irish architect James Franklin Fuller. A ballroom was added in 1896, designed by the Scottish architect William Young. The conservatory was added in 1901.
Visitors to Farmleigh gain some insight into the character of Edward Cecil Guinness, from the landscaped gardens, the classical architecture, and the symmetrical, sober layout. There are also many tapestries on display, which Guinness collected as historic and unusual textiles while travelling through Europe as a young man. The earls' library, on loan to the state, contains some of the earliest books printed in Ireland.
Owned by the fourth Earl Arthur Edward Rory Guinness when sold in 1999, the state spent in the region of €52 million by the time renovations were completed.
Current use
When not being used for official government use, it is open for public tours. It is also the venue for the RTÉ proms, a public concert series that takes place each summer in a large marquee erected on the grounds of the house.
Many notable visitors have been hosted at Farmleigh including the Chinese Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, King of Malaysia, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the Governor-General of New Zealand.
In 2006 it was announced by the OPW that the Steward's Lodge which is located in the grounds of Farmleigh has been renovated. It is believed that the house will become the official residence of the Taoiseach, and any official engagements will be carried out in Farmleigh or Government Buildings. Taoiseach Brian Cowen stays in the guest house in Farmleigh about two nights a week.