EVENTS
At Whitestown House, we’re passionate about exploration, experimentation, and the joy of learning. Our events bring like-minded people together in a spirit of discovery and generosity. These enriching, creative gatherings feature wonderful experts and collaborators who share their knowledge and passion with participants. Community and authentic experiences are central to our ethos, our workshops are an opportunity to connect with others, be inspired and enjoy this beautiful house and estate.
Whitestown House and Estate has been built with the vision and skills of generations of men and women. Tradition and heritage are very important to us and with our workshops we hope to create opportunities to come together to share knowledge and skills while learning from one another.
Our workshops will always begin with a warm welcome, with fires lighting and tea, coffee and Hazel’s scones. Some events will be held in the house, bookmaking in our beautiful library, flower arranging in the back drawing room or history and heritage being explored on our long dining room table. Other workshops and events will be held elsewhere on the estate, in the shoot room or stables, or out in the woods or fields.
All our workshop events are ticketed, details of upcoming dates are outlined below.
Upcomming Events
Christmas Decor Masterclass with Cocktails & Canapés
Thurs Nov 14th 2024
Join us for an enchanting evening at Whitestown House on November 14th, from 7:30 to 10:00pm, where we combine festive flair with elegant indulgence.
Enjoy a night of cocktails and canapés as the talented Anne McCrudden, renowned for her stunning home decor creations, guides you through the art of decorating your home for Christmas. Discover how to bring warmth and style to your holiday season in our historic family home.
Christmas is the perfect time to unleash your creativity and Anne will be sharing her top tips for decorating your home. She will take you through the process of selecting, securing and decorating a Christmas Garland. Ribbons and bows will feature hugely on the night and we promise to make you an expert in the art of bow-making for those special gifts! Anne will also take you through colour selection, balance and contrast which will be invaluable when you embark on your home decorating.
The festive season welcomes decadence, opulence and luxury, and where better to showcase some Christmas creations than in the beautiful surroundings of Whitestown House. Whether you're looking to refine your Christmas decor skills or simply enjoy a delightful evening of cocktails & canapés with friends, this event promises to inspire and delight.
Tickets are very limited and can be booked at the link below.
Meet the expert
Anne McCrudden is well known for her window dressing, displays, hotel and home decor. Anne has been teaching the art of wreath making and home decor for many years, these crafts inform her current studio work, which is located in Rush, co. Dublin. Anne create stunning bespoke floral pieces for the homes of her wonderful clients, in addition to having readymade pieces for each season. She specialises in luxury faux florals and offers an extensive selection of flower and foliage stems year round. Her work includes floral installations, wreaths, garlands, bouquets, swags and table arrangements.
Newbridge House Collaboration
November 13th & 27th 2024
Join us at Newbridge House this November for two immersive masterclasses that weave together the art of cookery, hosting, and Irish country house hospitality. This exciting collaboration celebrates the heritage of Whitestown and Newbridge House, neighboring estates with histories of social gatherings and rich cultural legacies.
On November 13th, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, our brunch masterclass offers the perfect morning escape with friends. Enjoy an interactive culinary experience as we guide you through crafting a seasonal brunch menu, complete with a cocktail pairing and tips on hosting a warm, memorable gathering. Settle in for a few hours of inspiration and a shared love for the art of bringing people together.
Then, on November 27th from 7 PM to 9:30 PM, we will delve into the art of the dinner party, Kelly’s cookery demo will give you the confidence to create canapés, a main course, desert and cocktail. Aoife will bring her eye for elegant tablescapes, and Hazel will share her wisdom from years of hosting in an Irish country home.
Guests will have the pleasure of viewing select pieces from the Newbridge collection and exploring the stories behind classic Irish country house hospitality. Guests are encouraged to mingle, taste the recipes and cocktails, and ask questions along the way, making it as much a social event as it is a learning experience, a perfect way to spend time together.
Tickets are limited and can be booked at the links below.
Whitestown House and the Keogh family have a long history and love of hospitality. Hazel brings her wealth of experience hosting large parties, renowned for welcoming and entertaining guests over the years. A keen cook and homemaker, Hazel’s warmth and hospitality is legendary and much loved.
Aoife’s background is in the art industry, and her creativity and artistic flare is woven into the very fabric of Whitestown House. Aoife designs all our events, she has a passion for tablescaping, the history and heritage of hospitality and is known for creating personal and original touches for our events.
Ballymaloe trained Kelly, brings her expertise in the culinary arts, planning menus that champion seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients. Kelly’s cookery demonstrations are informative and interactive, she encourages questions and ensures everyone learns new skills in an enjoyable atmosphere.
And of course Hazel keeps an expert eye on it all, ensuring that the spirit and warmth of Irish country house hospitality is experienced by all who attend.
Meet the experts
Previous Events
We love a good story at Whitestown House, and this special evening was steeped in history, folklore, and storytelling. Our guests gathered around the fires as acclaimed author and broadcaster Anthony Murphy regaled us with the myths and legends that have shaped Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.
Our guests enjoyed the warm hospitality of Whitestown House, with complimentary whiskey from our neighbours on Lambay Island and wine and nibbles as the conversation flowed. The Full moon added to the atmosphere and sense of place. Hopefully our first of many such gatherings.
Myths by the Fireside with Anthony Murphy
Foraging Walk and Wild Food Lunch
This was a wonderful day reconnecting with our heritage and enjoying the glorious summer sunshine in the surroundings of Whitestown House Estate. We learned all about foraging with this informative and fun session with Denise Dunne from The Herb School and The Herb Garden.
We spent the morning exploring the estate grounds learning about the native Irish seasonal plants and herbs that grow here. Denise gave us plenty of tips on harvesting and using foraged plants to create tasty and nutritious wild food dishes.
After all that fresh air we enjoyed Kelly’s Elderflower, Lemon Verbena and Sweet Geranium Spritz cocktails al fresco and a delicious three-course wild food inspired lunch in the dining room.
Everyone who attended received a full recipe leaflet to take home and a native Irish Wild Herb identification eBook.
HOSTING a spring gathering
A day filled with creativity and camaraderie at Whitestown House.
We experienced the art of tablescaping guided by Tara from The Designed Table, crafted beautiful seasonal arrangements with Ciara from The Potting Shed, and created personalised place name settings with Calligraphy by Laura.
After our creative endeavours, we gathered around the long table in the dining room to enjoy a delicious two-course seasonal lunch accompanied by pink bubbles.
This was a wonderful day celebrating the joys of spring in the company of fellow hosting enthusiasts.
