About the IGS President's Circle
The Irish Georgian Society President's Circle was established in 2019 by the then IGS President, Sir David Davies, to recognise those who have given esteemed service and/or support to the Society over the years. This is an honorary body with no formal governance or advisory role and appintments are made annually.
2019
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IGS President’s Circle appointees
Hon Desmond Guinness (1931-2020)
Citation: For a lifetime’s work in protecting Ireland’s architectural heritage through campaigns, conservation projects, scholarship, and, not least, co-founding the Irish Georgian Society in 1958 and serving as its President and guiding light for so many years. For inspiring the thousands of people who have joined the Society over the years and others who have an interest in Ireland’s historic buildings; to all, Desmond is truly a conservation hero.
Dr Edward McParland
Citation: For championing the work of the Irish Georgian Society for many years through supporting the publication of Irish Architectural & Decorative Studies and other scholarly initiatives, through membership of the Irish Georgian Foundation board, and for inspiring generations to continue to learn about and cherish our built heritage.
Fred Krehbiel (1941-2021)
Citation: For providing generous support to the Irish Georgian Society over many years as a major donor, as a board member of IGS Inc, and through providing advice and guidance during challenging times as well as times of celebration. This support has been vital for the Society’s conservation, education and advocacy programmes and has secured its position as a foremost guardian of Ireland’s architectural and decorative arts heritage.
Gilbert Butler
Citation: For a most generous and transformational donation towards the restoration of the Knight of Glin Exhibition Room which stands out as a landmark contribution in support of Ireland’s architectural heritage. Additionally, for support towards the Society’s work in promoting traditional building skills which assisted the IGS in becoming a leading voice in this field in Ireland.
Sheila O’Malley
Citation: For providing stalwart support for the Irish Georgian Society in the United States over many years as a generous donor, as former President of IGS Inc, and as a source of essential advice and guidance. This support helped the Society in Ireland become a leading voice for the conservation of Ireland’s architectural heritage and was also vital in the restoration of the City Assembly House.
Mrs. Della Howard (1924-2020)
Citation: For long and active involvement with the Irish Georgian Society and continued support of the IGS London Chapter since its foundation which has played an important role in its continued success.
Posthumous appreciation
Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin
For outstanding leadership of the Irish Georgian Society as its President from 1991 until 2011, and for the lifetime’s support he gave the Society through an unparalleled knowledge of Ireland’s architectural and decorative arts heritage. Furthermore, for inspiring legions of students, scholars and enthusiasts around the world to better understand and protect Ireland’s rich heritage through research, learning and campaigning.
Mary Bryan
For an inestimable contribution to the Irish Georgian Society from the mid-1990s first as conservation officer, then as Executive Director and latterly as Chair of the Irish Georgian Foundation during which time she was a truly great champion of our built heritage through campaigning for buildings at risk, promoting traditional building skills and acting as an ambassador at home and abroad.
2020
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IGS President’s Circle appointee
David Griffin
Citation: For dedicated support of the Irish Georgian Society through membership of its board, of the editorial committee of Irish Architectural & Decorative Studies, of the City Assembly House Working Group, and of the judging panel of the Architectural Conservation & Original Drawing Awards. And also, for dedication to the study of Ireland’s architectural heritage and keenness to share an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject with fellow scholars.
Posthumous appreciation
Prof Kevin B Nowlan (1921-2013)
Citation: For a lifetime campaigning for the protection of Dublin’s built heritage through the Dublin Civic Group, serving as Chair of the Castletown Foundation and the Dublin Civic Trust, and the inestimable service given to the Irish Georgian Society through serving as its Vice President and on its board for many years.
2021
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No new members
2022
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IGS President’s Circle appointees
Beth Dater (1945-2024)
Citation: For the extensive work she has done with the Society not just in serving as Chair of IGS Inc in America from 2014-20 but also in generously contributing to the work of the Society through donations to the City Assembly House and other conservation projects, her support of the 2021 exhibition Stepping through the Gate: Inside Ireland’s Walled Gardens, and the 2022 exhibition In Harmony with Nature, the Irish Country House Garden, and in hosting events for friends and supporters of the IGS in the United States and in Ireland.
Camilla McAleese
Citation: For long-time support and membership of the IGS and for service as its Vice President from 2018-22, as a board member of the Irish Georgian Foundation from 2014-2020, and for her leadership of the IGS Membership Development Working Group during which actively and successfully drew new members into the Society’s fold. a
Peter Verity
Citation: For his lifetimes support and contribution to the mission of the Society during which time he served as a trustee and champion of the IGS in London and, together with his wife Anne, organised the 1978 IGS tour in Persia and instigated the later tour in the Far East. From 1968 he was involved in the restoration of Castletown, worked with Mariga Guinness and Prof Kevin B Nowlan in campaigning for Dublin’s historic core and later assisted in the ‘rebirth’ and restoration of Roundwood and Longfield.
Posthumous appreciation
Jerry Healy (1952-2021)
Citation: For his leading role in guiding the restoration of the City Assembly House as chair of its Working Group from 2008 to 2018, and for his active participation on the IGF board from 2008-15. Jerry passed away in December 2021 and is sorely missed by his many friends in the Irish Georgian Society.
2023
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IGS President’s Circle appointees
Brendan Parsons, Earl of Rosse
Citation: For championing the work of the Irish Georgian Society as founder of its Birr Chapter in 1993 and in leading the Chapter’s activities through leading tours both at home and abroad, hosting the annual Chapter Christmas Party in Birr Castle, and assuming the position of Chapter Patron in 2019 having previously held the position of Chapter Head. Lord Rosse has been the careful custodian of Birr Castle demesne since the late 1970s and has been a pioneer in promoting the unique cultural and heritage interest of Birr Castle and town in developing a sustainable tourism resource that has benefited the region and set an example for others around the country to follow.
Edmund Corrigan (1952-2023)
Citation: For long service to the IGS since the 1970s when he generously supported works to Castletown House, Co. Kildare and later Doneraile Court, Co. Cork. From 2003 he was active in the newly formed Cork Chapter and in 2019, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the work of the Chapter, he was appointed as Chapter Patron. More recently he developed an extraordinary collection of Irish portrait miniatures which he gifted to the Irish Georgian Society for display in Castletown and Doneraile Court.
IGS President’s Circle commendation
John Joyce
Citation: For long-time membership and support of the Irish Georgia Society and its Birr Chapter from its foundation in 1993, since when he served as its Chair and worked to champion the town’s unique Georgian architectural heritage, to organise tours and other events, and to campaign for the protection of buildings at risk.
2024
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Posthumous appreciation
Coley Burke (posthumous) (1941-2020)
Citation: For his dedication as a member and enthusiastic supporter of the Irish Georgian Society in the US. Together with his widow, IGS Inc board member Susan Burke, he provided generous sponsorship which enabled the delivery of the 2018 City Assembly House exhibition Vain Transitory Splendors: the Irish country house and the art of John Nankivell; the 2021 exhibition Stepping through the Gate: Inside Ireland’s Walled Gardens; and the 2022 exhibition In Harmony with Nature, the Irish Country House Garden.
Jimmy Valentine (posthumous) (1935-2023)
For long time membership and serving as an enthusiastic champion of the Irish Georgian Society in London for over 50 years and, together with his mother Lady Freda, starting the annual IGS / 20 Ghost Trips some 55 years ago. These events have raised significant sums of money for the benefit of the Irish Georgian Society’s Conservation Grants Programme which IGS London has long supported.