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# Urban Exploring
Left to ruin: A rare glimpse inside Dublin's last, great Georgian mansion
Glimpses of beauty are still to be seen in the dilapidated house.
OUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER of mysterious homes, Dublin man Donal Moloney, has found a fascinating property closer to home.
The man who took us inside Birdie’s home and Veronica’s Big House has brought us on another tour – through his wonderful work.
Here’s what he has to say about his latest find, Aldborough House in Dublin – a glimpse of what Dublin once was.
“It was probably the last great Georgian mansion to be built in Dublin city,” he says. “It is amongst the most important surviving historic houses in Dublin. Located on Portland Row, it was built in 1796 by Edward Stratford, second Earl of Aldborough and Viscount Amiens, from whom Aldborough Place, Amiens Street and Stratford Row receive their names.
“I have passed by this building for a number of years and have always wanted to photograph its interior. It’s now in a pretty poor state which makes it even more interesting for an urban explorer/photographer like myself.”
Aldborough House soon passed out of the hands of the family and has had a chequered history since.
It became a Feinaglian School, and afterwards a military barrack and then a branch of the General Post Office.
At some point, it passed into the ownership of IMRO.
During the Celtic Tiger, it was bought by a number of private developers.
Over the years, artists have had studios there because of IMRO, but it now lies empty.
The house is a listed building with some important architectural features, according to Moloney, who picks out the great staircase of stone for particular note.
The property was recently purchased by a private owner.
And Moloney hopes that "in time it may be restored to its former glory".
See more of Donal’s work on his website and his Facebook page.
