In his virtual tour of Waterford Treasures on WLR’s Big Breakfast Blaa, Eamonn McEneaney tells Ollie and Mary all about some very fine mirrors,and their amazing personal history.
Wall-hung mirrors allowed the occupiers of the great houses to magnify the amount of natural light in a room, catching and reflecting the light while the gilt frames that supported the mirrors added to the reflective quality. At night, mirrors really came into their own, helping to transform an otherwise darkened room into a warmly-lit, elegant and intimate space.
Mirrors became the windows of the night, set above the chimney pieces and on the piers between the windows with candelabra placed in front on console tables. Mirrors reflected and magnifed the very expensive candlelight that came from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, the sconces fixed to the walls and the candelabra set before them.
If you enjoy Eamonn’s slots with us on The Big Breakfast Blaa, listen here to what he had to say about a statue of St Stephen from the Leper Hospital Waterford.
And below is his chat with us about a collection of very unique mirrors at the Bishops palace here in Waterford.
