Russborough House, Stately home and art museum in County Wicklow, Ireland
Russborough House is a Palladian villa in County Wicklow with a 210 m frontage. Its central block rises above two wings; a pedimented entrance with Corinthian columns is reached by granite steps flanked by heraldic lions. The facade has rectangular windows, an arched window and round windows near the roofline, with chimneys and urns above.
A German-born architect designed the estate in the mid-1700s for an Irish nobleman who collected artworks during travels through Italy and France. Later owners added further collections before a foundation opened the building to the public.
The name Russborough derives from Russelltown, the townland Joseph Leeson bought in the 1740s; no Irish term for a red fort is recorded. Inside, the Lafranchini brothers' stucco ceilings and the Beit collection of French furniture, Chinese vases and Old Master paintings are on view.
Guided tours last about an hour and show the main rooms and artworks inside. The grounds offer walking paths through woodland and open meadows with views toward nearby lakes and mountains.
Thieves broke into the house on several occasions and took famous paintings, including works by Vermeer and Goya. International investigations led to the return of most stolen pieces over many years.
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