The FHS is organising a two-night, three-day Study Trip to Dublin for members, led by Conor Deasy, Furniture Conservator at the Royal Collection Trust and member of the FHS Events Committee. During this Study Weekend we will explore the history of Dublin’s interiors from Georgian beginnings in the early eighteenth century, through the nineteenth century and into the twentieth. We will look at how these historic interiors have evolved over the last two hundred years and how they function today as part of a modern living city. Expert speakers and authors will join us to illuminate the designers, crafts people and patrons, and to put theses spaces in a wider cultural and historical context.

The Provost's House, Trinity College © Photo by Dublin Civic Trust

We have been granted rare access to The Provost’s House at Trinity College, one of the finest Georgian buildings and interiors in the city. Built in 1759 for the then Provost of Trinity College and still used by the Provost today. We will be guided by Edward McParland, a renowned Irish architectural historian, author, founder of the Irish Architectural Archive and Emeritus Fellow of Trinity College Dublin.

We have also been kindly allowed access to the oldest existing private members club in Dublin for a tour and dinner. The Kildare St and University Club on St Stephens Green, was established in 1782 and we will be guided by Dr Paul Caffrey, lecturer in the History and Theory of Design at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, and former curator of Castletown House.

In addition, we also plan to visit a European Heritage Award winning restoration of an early 19^th century merchant's house on Ormond Quay, overlooking the River Liffey. Our visit will be hosted by Graham Hickey, CEO of the Dublin Civic Trust, who led the project, and has a particular interest in Irish early nineteenth-century furniture.

Other highlights include the Eileen Gray exhibit at the Museum of Decorative Arts, an eclectic private collection on North Great Georges St, a well-preserved Georgian street with connections to James Joyce’s Ulyssess, a visit to Francis St, the centre of the antiques trade in the city and the interiors of Henrietta St, the earliest Georgian street in Dublin, first laid out in 1720 and today considered one of the most atmospheric and intact eighteenth-century streetscapes in the city. For this visit we will be guided by Dr Melanie Hayes, Trinity College, author of the book 14 Henrietta St; Georgian Beginnings 1750-1800.

To register your interest please e-mail the Overseas Events Manager: overseasevents@furniturehistorysociety.org

The total number of places for this trip will be twenty-three. If this trip is oversubscribed, a ballot for the allocation of places will be held at the end of March.