Shall we retire to the parlour?

Parlour Layout

The layout of a traditional house, showing where the parlour would typically have been located.

Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

Parlour Layout
Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

Parlour Layout

The layout of a traditional house, showing where the parlour would typically have been located.

Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

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Parlours were not used very much, and rarely accommodated a guest or received an important visitor. You can see from this drawing where the parlour was typically located in relation to the kitchen.

Parlours contained round tables, decorative lamps, and a sideboard and fire screen in front of a fireplace. The fireplace was usually made of metal or carved wood.

Parlours tended to display family photographs and prints of landscapes, historical figures and scenes.