Synopsis: William Leeson was responsible for designing many major houses in Tipperary and Galway during the 18th century. In 1767 Leeson also won a competition for the layout of the town of Westport and it is thanks to his design and vision that the town exists in its present form. Sadly, all of Leeson’s Tipperary Houses (apart from one) have fallen victim to the ravages of time and have all but disappeared from the landscape.
This talk focuses on the life of William Leeson and his Tipperary Houses - Castle Otway, Lissenhall, Kilboy, Traveston, Kilodiernan and Prior Park. It also examines his award-winning design of Westport and his work for John Browne, 1st Earl of Altamount.
Biography: John Flannery holds an MA in Historyof Family from UL and is a member of Tipperary
in the Decade of Revolution history group. Apast-President of the Ormond Historical Society,he is a regular contributor to Society lectures andhas also delivered talks to historical societiesthroughout the country. He has also contributed
to the popular TV programme Who do YouThink You Are and to Ceol Cogadh na Saoirseon TG4. He is a member of the Tipperary GAABloody Sunday Commemoration Committee.
