House - 17th/18th century

The National Monuments Service's description

The Chief Secretary's Lodge is located on the site of the Bailiff's Lodge which was probably built in the 17th century. The 18th century house was described by Mark Bence-Jones (1988, 280) as; 'A house originally built 1776 by Sir John Blaquiere MP (afterwards 1st Lord de Blaquiere) Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant and one of the leading figures in the political life of Ireland during later c18; in a demesne carved out of Phoenix Park which he obtained on the strength or being the Parks Bailiff. In 1782, he was asked to surrender the house and grounds in return for compensation, and the house became the official residence of the Chief Secretary, the principal executive of the government of Ireland under British Rule. The house was enlarged and altered at various times but has a predominantly late Georgian character of 2 storeys, with a bowed projection at either end of its principal front. Along this front is a fine enfilade of reception rooms. A large glass conservatory was added at one end 1832 by Lord Naas (afterwards 6th Earl of Mayo and Viceroy of India), while he was Chief Secretary. Later in the century, probably 1865 during the Chief Secretaryship of Chichester Fortescue (afterwards Lord Carlingford), the 2 bowed projections were joined by a single-storey corridor into which were thrown the centre rooms, making hem much deeper; the main wall of the house being carried by Ionic columns. The house became the United States Legation 1927; afterwards the Embassy'.

Compiled by : Geraldine Stout

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload date: 26 January 2023

References

Bence-Jones, M. 1988 A guide to Irish country houses. London