the four columns upholding the portico triangle, emo court, county laois.

emo court was designed by the architect james gandon in 1790 for the earls of portarlington and is a magnificent example of this neo-classical style. during the middle of this century it was owned by the jesuit order of catholic priests, it was then acquired and extensively restored by a mr. cholmeley-harrison in the 1960s. the house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland which were first laid out in the 18th century and contain formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks with many very fine trees and shrubs. the house and gardens were taken into state ownership in 1994, although mr. cholmeley-harrison still resides in the house, living out his life.