Francini Corridor

The Francini Corridor

The Francini Corridor runs along the north side of the State Reception Room, the ballroom in Victorian times. It was created in 1957, during the Presidency of Sean T O’Ceallaigh, by Raymond McGrath, the chief architect of the Office of Public Works, who oversaw the major refurbishment of the house in the 1950s. Incorporating part of the orchestra alcove of the former ballroom, which Jacob Owen had designed in 1844, it is linked to the 19th century by his fine surviving Greek revival surround. One side of the corridor is lined with bronze busts by Irish sculptors of the Presidents to date, each mounted on columns of pale Connemara marble.

The other side features eight stucco panels showing classical and allegorical figures: these were cast from originals in Riverstown House in Cork, believed to be the work of the celebrated Lafranchini brothers, the Swiss stuccodores who were employed in Carton, Castletown and other Irish country houses in the 18th century.

The fireplace is attributed to the 18th century Italian, Pietro Bossi, who brought the scagliola technique of inlaying marble to Ireland. The large decorative traditional Irish harp dates from 1835 and was presented to the Áras by Thomas and Julia Fennell in 1972.