Italian President concludes his two day visit to Ireland with a trip to Castletown House

Italian President Sergio Mattarella, his daughter (and First Lady) Laura Mattarella and the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Angelino Alfano, concluded their two-day State Visit with a visit to Castletown House, Ireland’s largest and most significant Palladian style country house.

After the President and Ms Mattarella had signed the Visitors' Book in the Entrance Hall, they were given a guided tour in Italian of what is Ireland's oldest and grandest neo-Palladian country house. The President was intrigued to discover the many connections with Italy that are part of Castletown's history and architecture, from the first designs created by Italian architect Alessandro Gallilei almost 300 years ago to the beautiful Italianate setting of the Long Gallery with its Raphaelite paintings and exquisite Murano glass chandeliers.

Speaking about the event, Commissioner John McMahon, Office of Public Works (OPW), said:

“It was an honour to host the President, his daughter, the foreign Minister and Ambassador Serpio at Castletown House to show them one of the jewels in the crown of the OPW. We look forward to continued engagement with the recently appointed Italian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Paolo Serpio, particularly around our forthcoming exhibition 'ON A PEDESTAL'. This exhibition, a celebration of Italian artists will be a further opportunity to bring together Ireland and Italy, two countries united by an ancient friendship and deep cultural ties."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Castletown House will reopen to the public on Friday, 16 March 2018.

The House will be open Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holiday Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00. Last admission is at 17:00. Guided Tours are available at selected times.

The Parklands and Café open all year around.

Please see Castletown House for further information.

Italian President concludes his two day visit to Ireland with a trip to Castletown House

Notes to the Editor:

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