Aristocrats discussion at Castletown House

The mini-series 'Aristocrats', based on the true story of the four Lennox sisters, daughters of the 18th century Duke of Richmond, will be the subject of a special event at Castletown House in Celbridge, Co Kildare on 20 July.

The mini-series' Irish director, David Caffrey, will take part in a public interview with 'Rattlebag's Myles Dungan, during which clips from the mini-series will be shown.

Films directed by Caffrey include the award-winning 'Divorcing Jack' (1998), 'On the Nose' (2001) and 'Grand Theft Parsons' (2003).

'Aristocrats' was adapted from the historical biography by Stella Tillyard.

It tells the story of the marriage of Emily Lennox to James FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare, in 1747, and the subsequent marriage of her sister Louisa to Tom Conolly of Castletown.

Their lives, and those of their families, became thoroughly intertwined in the political and social landscape of that time.

This event is part of a public programme of events entitled 'Family Connections: Irish Heritage Properties and their Families' taking place from 20 July to 23 September.

The series, run under the auspices of the Heritage Services division of the Office of Public Works, will take place in the following eight selected properties: Castletown House, Co Kildare; Rathfarnham Castle, Co Dublin; Maynooth Castle, Co Kildare; Emo Court, Co Laois; Kilkenny Castle; Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir; Roscrea Castle & Damer House, Co Tipperary and The Main Guard, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

The events will celebrate the contribution of these properties to Irish architectural, cultural and political heritage, focussing on significant members of the FitzGerald, Butler, Conolly, Dawson and Loftus families who lived there, and their legacy and significance today.

Tickets for this event at Castletown House are available from Catherine O'Connor at the Office of Public Works on 01 6476586.