For such a major building in the capital, it is extraordinary that Leinster House has not received more attention from architectural historians. Now, however, to coincide with the opening of a new extension to the Dail, David Griffin and Caroline Pegum have subjected the entire structure to the most meticulous scrutiny and offer the results of their survey in a book replete with illustrations.
No disrespect is meant towards the authors by stating that the pictures are just as fascinating as the text, since one greatly enhances the other. It is, for example, wonderful to see the various elevations proposed for the principal front of Leinster House in 1745 by its original architect Richard Castle, as well as the source for his designs: an engraving in Vincenzo Scamozzi's L'Idea della Architettura Universale published in 1615. While both the main facade and the garden front have survived almost unscathed over the past two and a half centuries since their construction, the formal courtyard has been entirely altered, primarily because of the erection of the National Museum and the National Library on either side of the building in the late 19th century.
This was undoubtedly the most fundamental assault on the character of the Duke of Leinster's former townhouse, but the interior suffered relatively little damage after the property was sold to the Dublin Society (later the RDS) in 1815. Griffin and Pegum show that the society was a scrupulous owner of the property, and even when substantial changes were effected - Francis Johnston installed a balcony around the first floor gallery when this room acted as a library - these were easily corrected at a later date. The Leinsters appear to have taken relatively few of the fixtures and fittings with them when they left the house, although a chimneypiece and overmantel originally installed in the dining-room was removed to Carton House, Co Kildare, where it remains. Obviously a greater loss to Leinster House were the original furnishings, of which almost nothing is known today. But the authors have managed to discover a small number of drawings for mirrors, a side table and a bed, among other items which they believe were intended for the house. The pity is that so much of the furniture now in the building is unworthy of its surroundings, and that some of the interior decoration shows so little understanding of Leinster House's character: the carpets with their faux-Celtic patterns are particularly offensive in this respect. As is so often the case, the fundamental problem rests with an inability to permit excellent architecture speak for itself, free from all unnecessary adornment. This may be one advantage of Griffin and Pegum's book: that it encourages greater appreciation of Leinster House as a work of art.
Robert O'Byrne is an Irish Times journalist; his most recent book is Hugh Lane 1875-1915: A Biography, published by Lilliput