House & Family History: The early 18th century house was remodeled and enlarged in the 1730s by Dr. Jemmett Browne, dean of Ross and later bishop of Cork. Riverstown is a two-story house over a basement, which is concealed on the Entrance Facade, but which becomes an extra story on the Garden Facade. Mark Bence-Jones, writing in "A Guide to Irish Country Houses," calls the Dining Room at Riverstown its "chief glory." The ceiling and walls are decorated with plasterwork by the brothers Francini, possibly their earliest work (circa 1734) in Ireland. The ceiling decoration has allegorical figures representing "Time Rescuing Truth from the Assaults of Discord and Envy," based on a painting by Poussin in the Louvre. There are classical panels in high relief on the walls. Riverstown remained in the ownership of Dr. Browne's descendants until the 20th century. In the 1950s, neglected and empty, plans were made to remove the Dining Room plasterwork to preserve it from further decay. In the end, however, the plasterwork could not be removed from the walls; instead, moulds were made and copies have been installed in Áras an Uachtaráin (The President's House, Dublin). In 1965 John Dooley purchased Riverstown and has restored the House with integrity, with the help of the Irish Georgian Society.

Comments: The stuccowork at Riverstown House is considered the finest in Ireland.

House Listed: Unknown

Park Listed: Unknown

Current Seat / Home of: John Dooley

Past Seat / Home of: Dr. Jemmett Browne, 18th century.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 35321-821-205

Historic Houses Member: No