Strokestown Park & the National Famine Museum
Co. Roscommon, Ireland
Strokestown Park is an 18th century historic property located in County Roscommon, and is managed by the Irish Heritage Trust.
In 1847, at the height of the Famine, its landlord Denis Mahon was assassinated by his tenants.
1845: Memento Mori is presented in the gazebo in the walled gardens. The gazebo was formerly used as a tea-room by the landlord and his family, overlooking the exotic garden where pineapples, lemons and other non-native fruits were cultivated.
In May 2021, three different installations were composed on site: in the kitchen of the house, in the pineapple pit in the garden, and finally in the gazebo, where the installation is on display through July 10th 2021.
Image and video credit: © Irish Heritage Trust
Video of installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV5rq1MgqRc
Gazebo installation, May 2021
The gazebo is the oldest building on site and was used as tea-room by the Mahon family. The family would entertain guests while overlooking the beautiful gardens and vistas.
Photo credit: Barry Cronin
Kitchen installation, May 2021
Strokestown Park House has the largest gallery kitchen in Ireland. The lady of the house never sat foot in the kitchen, but addressed her kitchen staff from the gallery above the kitchen.
Photo credit: Barry Cronin
Pineapple pit installation & view of the gazebo from garden, May 2021
Strokestown House sits on beautiful parklands and landscaped gardens. The gardens date back to 1700’s. The walled garden was built to service the main house growing fruit and vegetables but was later changed to a pleasure garden in 1800 and all vegetable production was moved to the slip garden.Pineapples, melons and other exotic fruits were cultivated in the underground heated glasshouses.
Photo credit: Barry Cronin