Originally this was a cabinet which was used as a dressing room or sitting room. The 'close stool' would have stood here or in the Closet next door. The room contains a collection of pastel portraits. Over the chimney-piece the largest portrait is of Lady Louisa's father, the 2nd Duke of Richmond, it was drawn by Rosalba Carriera in Venice during the sitter's grand tour.

Surrounding this portrait are pastels of the Conollys, Pakenhams and Fitzgeralds by the Irish pastellist Hugh Douglas Hamilton (c.1739-l808). At the top is Tom Conolly in hunting pink, at the foot are the two Miss Staples, Louisa Staples later inherited Castletown. On the opposite wall there are portraits of Lady Louisa, aged 4, attributed to Katherine Read and of her mother the Duchess of Richmond attributed to Francis Cotes.

All text copyright of Dr. Paul Caffrey. Copies of the guidebook are available from Dr. Caffrey at caffreyp@ncad.ie