A piece titled ‘Carton: from Ducal Mansion to Country House Hotel’, Irish Arts Review, Spring 2007 features MÓLA's development of the Carton House Hotel, completed May 2006, involving the conservation and conversion of Carton House into a world class hotel and resort.
James Howley reviewing the Carton project describes his approach to the finished hotel:
“Having long been a strong opponent of this proposal, it was with great trepidation…that I made my first visit to Carton for over ten years. On approaching the house... the most striking and pleasant surprise is just how difficult it is to see the substantial new three-storey bedroom block and conference centre buildings.”
He goes on to detail how the new build elements successfully link to the main house:
“The main architectural challenge for the architects Murray Ó Laoire at Carton was the addition of the new bedroom wing to the very formal and complete composition of the historic mansion... this has been done very successfully by the creation of a long single-storey walkway, which connects the old house to the new bedroom wing…
Running parallel to the walkway is a delightful restaurant, punctuated by a series of three airy pavilions, clad in timber boarding, with extensive floor to ceiling glazing and more wonderful views through trees to the parkland beyond.”
The success of MÓLA’s conservation work is described in the article as follows:
“Indeed all of the fire safety measures in the house have been implemented and integrated with minimal visual impact... the new fire safety installation is exemplary. The discreet integration of extensive building services throughout the historic house is similarly impressive. When carried out to the highest standards conservation becomes invisible and one of the greatest compliments that can be paid to the recent work at Carton is that the conservation is sensitive and subtle.”
In conclusion James Howley suggests:
“Those fortunate enough to be able to stay there can enjoy the unique experience of a grand ducal mansion. More important, every part of the historic fabric is now cherished and has a functional value not enjoyed for almost a century. If for no other reason, this will most certainly assure the long-term preservation and accessibility of Carton.”
MÓLA has been involved with Carton House since 1990 as the architects, conservation architects and interior designers of the project. The Carton House Hotel comprises 165 bedrooms, 147 of which are in a new-build hotel block and 18 of which are in the original main house, bars and restaurants, banqueting hall, leisure centre and spa.
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Extracted from the Spring 2007 edition of the Irish Arts Review. The Irish Arts Review is Ireland’s leading art and design publication. Selected articles and further details are available on www.irishartsreview.com