FromKillarneyto theWhiteHouse

FOLLOWING its official opening on July 4, the restored Killarney House will host a mini summer-school exploring local and national connections to the White House and the US Presidency, a unique event organised by the James Hoban Societies.

The ‘Green Hills, White Houses’ school takes place on July 9 from 10am to 1pm in honour of John McShain, fitting given that Killarney House was once home to the McShain family.

“He was known as the man who built Washington because of his involvement in projects like the Pentagon, the Jefferson Memorial, the Kennedy Centre and the massive second rebuilding of The White House completed in the 1950s,’ programme director Denis Bergin said.

“This school has been organised by the James Hoban Societies of Ireland and the US in association with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and over the course of the event we’ll address a series of intriguing questions: Did Ireland give the world its first taste of constitutional democracy? Could Leinster House hold the key to an Irishman’s design for the presidential mansion? And how did a Kerry woman know there was a world crisis brewing in the Oval Office?”

The morning will feature presentations by five speakers, Denis – a writer and editor of repute – included. Established American author Robert Klara will share his extensive interviews with McShain’s daughter with the gathering, during which he will address aspects like her memories of her father’s involvement with Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, as well as her parents’ connections to the Killarney House estate.

Local historian Conor Doolan will address the McShains’ lives and times against the background of the town and its heritage, and Listowel’s Vincent Carmody will share his knowledge of his neighbour and relative Kathy Buckley, who was a White House cook for many years.

The final presentation will be made by architect and conservation consultant Brian O’Connell, who has studied how civilisations organised their executive facilities and parliamentary gathering places. In his talk, he will address, amongst many other matters of interest, an exact full-scale replica of The White House as it was when James Hoban completed his work there in 1830.

Admission to the event is free of charge, but early booking is recommended. Further information is available from Pat Dawson at 064 667 0142 or Denis at 086 156 8916.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan John McShain Jnr, a Grand Nephew of the late John McShain, owner of Killarney House and Gardens and known as ‘the man who built Washington, paid a private visit to Killarney house and Gardens, with his Wife Cindy McShain while on holiday with friends....