Key Dining Moments at Emo Court

Apr 9^th 1817	The 2^nd Earl of Portarlington threw a dinner party for eight guests.
July 31^st 1820	Officers of the 18^th Hussars dined at Emo.
Jan 22^nd 1821	A party of 12 dined at Emo.
Feb 2^nd 1833	The two new wine cellars under the portico were finished, replacing the old round wine cellar.
Feb 1^st 1840	The dining room at Emo was finished – the 2^nd Earl of Portarlington dined there for the first time.
Aug 19^th 1848	A sumptuous repast was given at Emo to celebrate the first visit of the Countess of Portarlington to Emo Park. The 200 guests (gentlemen and farmers) enjoyed a profusion of delicacies, including pies, jellies, blancmanges, pineapples, and lobsters brought fresh from Kingstown that morning.
Jan 8^th 1853	Subscription ball at Portarlington patronised by the Countess of Portarlington. The supper and wines were furnished from Dublin and were of the highest quality.
Sept 11^th 1858	Festivities and dinner at Emo Park for the local school-children.
July 27^th 1861	The Prince of Wales dined at Emo Court; the house was lit by gaslight for the first time.
Feb 28^th 1863	Lord Portarlington suggested giving “a substantial dinner of beef and pudding” to the poor to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales. In March, he entertained his tenants, household and labourers to a sumptuous dinner in honour of this event.
Dec 9^th 1876	Ball at Emo Court to mark the visit of the Duke of Connaught. The supper and dining rooms were decorated with stands of native and exotic flowers, while crescent-shaped candelabra provided illumination.
Nov 15^th 1879	Dinner party at Emo Court.
Dec 13^th 1879	Ball at Emo Court.
Jan 17^th 1883	Ball at Emo Court to mark the visit of the Lord Lieutenant and Lady Spencer.
Sept 1885	A sumptuous lunch and garden party were held at Emo Park for the Lord Lieutenant.
Sept 14^th 1889	Garden party at Emo Park before Viscount Carlow left for a long visit to Scotland
Jan 16^th 1892	Servants’ Ball – supper was served in the most recherché style in the servants’ hall, which was elaborately fitted up. The refreshments were served in the billiards room.
July 9^th 1892	School fete at Emo Park: the children were served tea and cake at 5pm, and after more races and games they had cake and sweets at 8.30pm. All the children sat together at tables set up in the park.
Aug 7^th 1897	Jubilee school fete at Emo Park: liberal amounts of tea and cake were served to 1,200 guests.
Jan 8^th 1898	Servants’ Ball at Emo Court.
July 29^th1899	Picnic at Emo Park: the weather was fine and sunny, and the entertainments included singing, recitations and dancing. The food was of the highest quality and was catered by the Misses Gleeson and Miss Tighe.
Mar 9^th 1907	Homecoming party at Emo to celebrate the return of Lord and Lady Portarlington from their honeymoon. The labourers, tenants and people of Portarlington were treated to food and refreshments in the buildings adjoining the mansion. They were fed in batches, owing to the large turn-out, and the catering was provided by Mrs Browne of the Imperial Hotel. The celebrations ended with a fireworks display, while an immense bonfire and electric torches lit up the surrounding grounds.
Sept 16^th 1911	Open-air fete and tea party for 400 guests at Emo Park. The tea party was catered by George Mathews of Portarlington and a helter-skelter provided great entertainment.
Dec 30^th 1911	A sumptuous Christmas feast was given to the local school children.
Jan 6^th 1912	Ball for the tenants and household of Emo Park and the people of the surrounding neighbourhood. The tables were laid for 300 guests and refreshments were provided.
Jan 3^rd 1914	The local school children were entertained to a Christmas tea with cake, sweetmeats and bon-bons in abundance.