Powers Hilton
Elsewhere erroneously attributed to the better known architect Francis Johnson, the core of the current house was most likely designed by James Jones of Dundalk. The rebuilding followed a fire of 1803 which destroyed much of an earlier house. A letter from James to Colonel Madden dated 24 July 1838 refers to various works to be undertaken at Hilton Park. The stables and dovecote, the latter a romantic folly, are probably by the same architect. He was also the likely designer of the ‘ride’ which adjoins the rear of the house. The ride is a distinctive cast iron colonnade erected at the rear of the house to allow the family to observe horses being broken in away from the inclement County Monaghan weather.
In 1874 County Cavan born architect William Hague was paid 100 guineas by the Maddens to redesign the house. It was a surprising commission from an Orangeman to a Catholic ecclesiastical architect. One of his many churches is St Aidan’s in nearby Butlersbridge. Drawings by William Hague line the walls of the vaulted breakfast room. “He provided my ancestor with a ‘pick and mix’,” says current owner Johnny Madden, “including ceiling designs for the main rooms.”
While the campanile, bay window and dome weren’t executed, the Ionic porte cochère, parapet decorations and lower level rustication were added. Triangular pediments (without aedicules) float over the piano nobile. The most dramatic change was the excavation of the basement to form a three storey house. Montalto (County Down) and Tullylagan Manor (County Tyrone) are two Northern Irish houses which have been similarly treated, most likely for aesthetic purposes. Johnny Madden believes many of the alterations at Hilton Park were for security reasons:
“You can’t ram the reception rooms when they’re on the first floor. The porte cochère also acts as a barrier. The central rooms on the front elevation all have metal shutters. And the front door is lined with metal. Hague went on to design the west wing of Crom Castle.” Life is more relaxed these days. A sliding sash and handily placed steps provide an exit from the kitchen into the garden. William Hague was clearly versatile. His executed design for Crom Castle (County Fermanagh) is neo Elizabethan. Hilton Park is Italianate. Many of his churches were French gothic. “The house isn’t particularly Irish looking,” reckons Johnny.
Hilton Park as it now stands is a a large three storey stone block commanding views over 240 hectares of land. The entrance front is divided into four sections: a five bay breakfront framing the three bay porte cochère; three bays on either side of the breakfront; and a single bay wing to the right. “The house isn’t as large as it first seems,” says Johnny’s wife Lucy. “It’s long and narrow.” This is apparent on the approach from the driveway which reveals the building is just three bays deep in some parts. Hilton Park looks much larger when viewed from the five bay garden front which is elongated by an ancillary wing.
The entrance door opens into a relatively small gothick hall enlivened by polychromatic encaustic floor tiles, coral walls and ribbed vaults. Most of the ground floor rooms have vaulted ceilings, a reminder they were once in the basement. The estate office and morning room are accessed off the hall. Arched double doors lead into the staircase hall which is panelled on the ground floor. The gothick theme continues in the first floor barrel vaulted dining room on the garden front. An enfilade of Italianate reception rooms is positioned across the entrance front. Stained glass windows add drama to the staircase hall; plate glass windows add light to the reception rooms.
The upper section of the staircase is lit by a tall arched Georgian window. Two blind windows in the corner guest bedroom provide balance to the entrance front. All the guest bedrooms are grouped around an upper landing and corridor to the rear of the house. The corridor ceiling slopes under the slant of the pitched roof. The section of the house closest to the driveway is used as the family wing. This article was first published in November 2012 when Hilton Park accepted paying guests for dinner, bed and breakfast. The new generation of Maddens have relaunched the house and estate as a weddings and events venue.
