Brought up about 20 miles from Belfast at the height of the Troubles, the roots of Hilary McGrady's future career can be traced to her childhood. 'My father was a builder, my mother had various jobs. As the youngest of a big family circle, I had a solitary childhood that made me find my own pastimes. I spent my time roaming around the fields, and that love of nature has been with me ever since." She also loved the arts, 'in the widest sense', she recalls, and after school she went on to study Fine Art then Graphic Design at art college. 'I'd been accepted to do Law at Queen's, but at the last minute I decided to follow my heart. It didn't go down brilliantly at home. My father said I would end up drawing pictures on the pavement - that was his understanding of the arts in terms of job prospects.'
Hilary's exposure to the country houses that form such a cornerstone of the National Trust was limited. 'In Northern Ireland, the National Trust largely kept a low profile during the Troubles for obvious reasons. I didn't visit country houses; it wasn't something my parents would have thought of doing.' Her first introduction was a memorable school trip to Mount Stewart. It opened a different world to me, and I guess that is at the roots of why I'm so interested now, and feel so passionately that people of a young age and every background should have access to art and collections and the history and stories they tell.'
Bu hikaye Homes & Antiques dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Homes & Antiques dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Animal magic
Brought to life in myriad ways, whether printed, woven or embroidered, animals and birds have always been popular motifs in textile design, says Celia Rufey
Bright, bold and BRILLIANT
Small homes don't need to compromise on character. In Nick Kenny's two-up, two-down terrace, natural light, upcycled pieces and colourful accents make a big impact
Petite et chic
Amanda Grant and Kristian Dean's compact apartment encapsulates the essence of continental country house style
A thrifty MIX
Jill De Búrca's home was once a buy-to-let. Now that she's finally moved in, she has begun to furnish it with a quirky combination of antiques, vintage pieces and high street finds
Scholarly SANCTUARY
Statement antiques create drama in this one-bedroom former school hall, owned by antiques dealer Jean Hill
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE - FLORA JAMIESON
The stained glass artist talks to Dominique Corlett about the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement and capturing the English countryside at its best
Armillary sphere
The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker
Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.
TRAVEL
48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.
A PERSONAL PASSION
For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday