Fota House (1981 - 1983)

Fota is a country house, and is an extremely important work of Irish Classicism. It is particularly interesting for this Medal of Conservation that the house itself was completely re-modelled and relarged in the 19th Century by the architect John Morrison.

His approach to the Conservation is radical and| modern and seemed to the jury to come from three sources. John O'Connell touched the spirit of Morrison and interpreted his work in a way that is almost invisible. He has understood the most elusive ideas of re-use in old buildings in creating a museum that is at the same time a house. He has added his own exceptional judgement to interior finishes and paintwork.