Ardress, County Armagh
Encyclopedia
Ardress is a townland
between Loughgall
and Annaghmore
in County Armagh
, Northern Ireland
. It is made up of Ardress East and Ardress West. It is within the civil parish
of Loughgall and barony of Oneilland West.
The area is best known as the site of Ardress House. This was originally a modest farmhouse which was transformed into a mansion
in 1760 by Dublin architect
George Ensor. It is run by the National Trust
and contains excellent examples of 18th century furniture and a good display of paintings. Amongst its many features is the plasterwork in the drawing room by Michael Stapleton
, student of Robert Adam (b.1728-1792), dating back to 1780. The farmyard and outbuildings show aspects of farming history with a display of farm implements. There is a pleasant garden with examples of early types of Irish rose. The ‘Ladies Mile’ is a woodland walk around the estate.
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
between Loughgall
Loughgall
Loughgall is a small village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 285 people.Loughgall was named after a small nearby loch. The village is at the heart of the apple-growing industry and is surrounded by orchards. Along the village's main street...
and Annaghmore
Annaghmore
Annaghmore is a small village and townland near Loughgall in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 255 people. It is within the Armagh City and District Council area.-Places of interest:...
in County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It is made up of Ardress East and Ardress West. It is within the civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of Loughgall and barony of Oneilland West.
The area is best known as the site of Ardress House. This was originally a modest farmhouse which was transformed into a mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
in 1760 by Dublin architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
George Ensor. It is run by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
and contains excellent examples of 18th century furniture and a good display of paintings. Amongst its many features is the plasterwork in the drawing room by Michael Stapleton
Michael Stapleton
Michael Stapleton is regarded as having been the most skilled stuccodore working in the neoclassical or "Adam" style that dominated Dublin interior decoration in the final decades of the 18th century.-Life:Stapleton was born in Dublin, the son of George Stapleton, who may have been a plasterer by...
, student of Robert Adam (b.1728-1792), dating back to 1780. The farmyard and outbuildings show aspects of farming history with a display of farm implements. There is a pleasant garden with examples of early types of Irish rose. The ‘Ladies Mile’ is a woodland walk around the estate.