Architecture of Fota House

Fota House contains over 70 rooms and of these 60 have fireplaces, ranging in size from the more modest servant rooms to the large and beautifully proportioned principal rooms. Of interest to the visitor are the false windows, which occur on the exterior of the building, added to enhance the aesthetic balance of the house. The style is Classical throughout and the decor reflects Continental trends in the gilt, marble work, painted ceilings and magnificent plaster detail throughout.

In the 1820's John Smith Barry commissioned father and son Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison to convert the property into a residence. Eminent architects of the time, they undertook many projects, Kilruderry in Wicklow, Ballyfin in Laois and the fine courthouses in Carlow and Tralee being notable examples. Richard was later to found the Royal Institute for the Architects of Ireland. William Morrison had received much of his education from visiting historic sites in Europe on the Grand Tour. This influence can be seen in particular in the magnificent scagliola columns in the Dining room topped with acanthus leaves as in the temples of ancient Greece and Rome.

Initially it was proposed that the design should reflect the current fashion for Tudor revival but a more elegant Regency style plan was ultimately executed.

Two new wings were added and a handsome Greek Doric portico made an elegant entrance. The interior was opened up with fine scagliola columns leading to a handsome stone staircase and the ceilings of the library and drawing room were decorated with great delicacy in the French style.

In 1872 the engineer Sir John Benson added a billiards room and an extensive conservatory, this being later altered in 1897 to become the gallery. The house has remained virtually unchanged since this time and the visitor today has a privileged glimpse of the great craftsmanship that was to be found in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries.