While researching the first Irish Country Houses, David encountered beautiful portraits of former residents in aging mansions and has now compiled a collection of these wonderful stories and photographs. Behind the faces are tales of happiness and misfortune, of royalty, politicians, literary and artistic figures, of scandals and hunt balls. The houses, such as Antrim Castle, Moore Abbey, Lissadell, and Avondale, were built to impress. Many owners were patrons of the arts and commissioned the best artists such as William Orpen, Walter Osborne, and Sarah Purser. Now these portraits capture a way of life that no longer exists and each chapter paints a picture of a bygone age.