Avondale House
Encyclopedia
Avondale House, in Avondale, County Wicklow
, Ireland
, is the birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell
(1846
–1891
) one of the greatest political leaders in Irish history.
Park of over 2 km² (500 acres), with tree trails and walks ranging in duration from one to five hours.
The house is approximately 1.5km from the nearby town of Rathdrum
. The river Avonmore
flows through the park on its way towards the Irish Sea
.
house, designed by James Wyatt
and built in 1777
. It is notable for its fine plasterwork and still contains many original pieces of furniture. The American Room is dedicated to Admiral Charles Stewart (1778-1869)
, Parnell's American grandfather who commanded the USS Constitution
(now moored in Boston Harbor
) during the War of 1812
. Visitors are introduced to the house by an audio visual presentation.
Other facilities include a restaurant, book shop, picnic areas, children's play area, two orienteering courses and large car/coach park.
The outside of the house is featured in a painting in the R. Barry O'Brien 1898 biography of Parnell.
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, is the birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
(1846
1846 in Ireland
-Events:*Potato blight affects the country putting farmers in distress.*13 March - Ballinglass Incident: eviction of 300 tenants at the village of Ballinglass during the Irish Potato famine....
–1891
1891 in Ireland
-Events:*June - Charles Stewart Parnell marries Kitty O'Shea in Sussex.*6 October - Charles Stewart Parnell dies. Up to 200,000 people attend the funeral of the 'Uncrowned King of Ireland.'...
) one of the greatest political leaders in Irish history.
Place
Avondale House is set in the Avondale ForestAvondale Forest
Avondale Forest is a wooded estate in County Wicklow, Ireland on the west bank of the River Avonmore. It contains the home of Charles Stewart Parnell which was built in 1777 by Samuel Hayes and is now the Parnell Museum...
Park of over 2 km² (500 acres), with tree trails and walks ranging in duration from one to five hours.
The house is approximately 1.5km from the nearby town of Rathdrum
Rathdrum
Rathdrum may refer to:* Rathdrum, Idaho, United States* Rathdrum, County Wicklow, Ireland...
. The river Avonmore
River Avonmore
The Avonmore River also known as Abhainn Dé flows from Lough Dan in the Wicklow Mountains west of Roundwood. It flows in a generally southerly direction for approximately before joining the Avonbeg at the Meeting of the Waters to form the River Avoca, which in turn discharges into the Irish Sea...
flows through the park on its way towards the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
.
House
It is a GeorgianGeorgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
house, designed by James Wyatt
James Wyatt
James Wyatt RA , was an English architect, a rival of Robert Adam in the neoclassical style, who far outdid Adam in his work in the neo-Gothic style.-Early classical career:...
and built in 1777
1777 in Ireland
-Births:*4 May - Richard Bourke, soldier and Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1831 to 1837 .*22 June - William Brown, creator and first admiral of the Argentine Navy .-Deaths:*3 February - Hugh Kelly, dramatist and poet ....
. It is notable for its fine plasterwork and still contains many original pieces of furniture. The American Room is dedicated to Admiral Charles Stewart (1778-1869)
Charles Stewart (1778-1869)
Charles Stewart was an officer in the United States Navy.Born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Stewart went to sea at the age of thirteen as a cabin boy and rose through the grades to become master of a merchantman. He grew up with Captain Stephen Decatur and Richard Sommers...
, Parnell's American grandfather who commanded the USS Constitution
USS Constitution
USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel...
(now moored in Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
) during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Visitors are introduced to the house by an audio visual presentation.
Other facilities include a restaurant, book shop, picnic areas, children's play area, two orienteering courses and large car/coach park.
The outside of the house is featured in a painting in the R. Barry O'Brien 1898 biography of Parnell.