In Ruins: The Once Great Houses of Ireland

by Simon Marsden, Duncan McLaren

Ireland's once great houses and castles, designed by the most accomplished architects of their day for the Anglo-Irish aristocracy, bear witness to a troubled history of civil war, famine, and bankruptcy. Splendid in their prime, the ruins have absorbed the romantic beauty and mystery of the surrounding landscape -- qualities brilliantly captured by Simon Marsden's infrared-filtered photographs and Duncan McLaren's vivid text.First published in 1980 but long out of print, In Ruins has now been revised and updated to include eleven new sites and thirty previously unpublished images.

Genres: Photography, Ireland, History, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too much of my past is tied up in this book not simply in subject matter but because the original 1980 edition had a beautifully atmospheric picture of Moydrum Castle on the cover which was replicated by another photographer (see my footnote *1 below) for U2's 1984 album 'The Unforgettable Fire'. This is not the 1980 original but an expanded 1997 edition. It is a beautiful collection of atmospheric photographs and a reminder that while a picture of almost everything may be available on the internet not every image is equal in beauty. Nothing can replace an original - photograph or painting - but a quality art book reproduction is a million times finer than what your laptop or phone will provide.

One of the joys reading this book now and consulting the internet is the discovery of how times have changed. Even when first published in 1980 the tide was turning and by the time the new edition came out in 1997 a great change, perhaps not a great efflorescence, but a sea change - there would be no more Kenmure Parks - and in the 21st century houses that were ruins like Castle Freke, Coppinger's Court, Doneraile Court, Puxley Manor and Portumna Casttle have all been, to various degrees, partially rebuilt and restored even if only to the state of being roofed and made secure against the elements. On others the wild ivy has been cut back - a loss to their romantic look but an increase in their chances for survival.






*1 Photographer Anton Corbijn photographed Moydrum Castle for the cover of the Irish rock band U2's fourth studio album, 1984's The Unforgettable Fire and gave it a sepia tone. The photograph, however, was a virtual copy of a picture on the cover of a 1980 book In Ruins: The Once Great Houses of Ireland by Simon Marsden, for which U2 had to pay compensation. It was taken from the same spot and used the same polarising filter technique, but with the addition of the four band members. This photo was shot with infrared photographic film giving the leaves a light tone and the blue sky a very dark tone. - information from U2 by U2. by Neil McCormick, London: HarperCollinsPublishers (2006) p. 155.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Magical b/w photography, and doubly haunting because of the often tragic backstories that led to these exquisite places falling into ruin.A lingering sadness long after you finish.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great photos - I had hoped there would be more information about the locations.

[J-me · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah i finally got it at a reasonable price! I collect this photographers books. He is a wonderfulful writer and an amazing artist. Very atmospheric and beautifully haunting.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss this book on the shelf as it went west. I always enjoyed it, visually it brings you back to another age and its so eerie and haunting. I have to get another copy.

[Jimmie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too short!

[Steve Hennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, which started me collecting Simon's work. I have a 1st British Edition signed by Simon himself.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to go to Ireland, take this book with me and find as many of these old structures featured in the book; I also love the photography work of Simon Marsden!

[Britt ⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty, but uninformative.