A description and history of Powerscourt

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read it as the scan has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too. The passages are read off photographs of the page by machine, so a word here and there comes out wrong; they are kept as the reading produced them, so you can check any of them against the scan.

1. Claiming of old Church and churchyard after Disestablishment 1869

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1869

   At the Disestablishment of the Irish Church in 1869, a clause allowed proprietors to claim churches situated within a demesne. The author claimed the old Church and churchyard, restricting burials to parishioners with prior rights.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   At the time of the Disestablishment of the Irish Church in 1869, there was a clause inserted in the Act that any Church which was situated within a demesne (and there were many such) might be claimed by the proprietor, with its churchyard, and become vested in him and his heirs. I therefore claimed the Church and churchyard, and it has been vested in me and my heirs from that time, subject to the rights of burial of those parishioners and their families who were in residence at that time. I requested Mr. William Buckley, the then innkeeper of the "Powerscourt Arms" Hotel, Enniskerry, and who was Churchwarden, to furnish me with a list of the parishioners, and the list was appended to the Vesting Order, which is kept in the Privy Council Office or the office of the Church Commissioners under the Act, now merged in the Irish Land Commission, Church Property Department, 5 Ely Place, Dublin. A similar list is also kept in my Estate Office, Enniskerry. So the burials in the old churchyard are restricted to those families who had rights there prior to 1869. Any parishioners who

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 67

   As the companion tells it

   The parish of Powerscourt in Wicklow has an old church and churchyard whose story changed in 1869. That year, the Disestablishment of the Irish Church included a clause allowing any proprietor to claim a church situated within a demesne, along with its churchyard. The author of this record did so, and the old Church and churchyard became vested in him and his heirs. He asked Mr. William Buckley, innkeeper of the Powerscourt Arms Hotel in Enniskerry and Churchwarden, to furnish a list of the parishioners. That list was appended to the Vesting Order, kept in what is now the Church Property Department at 5 Ely Place in Dublin, part of the Irish Land Commission. A similar list is kept in the Estate Office in Enniskerry. Burials in the old churchyard are restricted to those families who had rights there before 1869.

2. O'Toole Grant of Powerscourt Castle, 1543

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1543

   Terence O'Toole received a grant of the Manor and Castle of Powerscourt and surrounding lands, conditional on keeping the castle in repair and enforcing English customs and language among inhabitants.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   "Grant to Terence O'Toole, gent., of the Manor and Castle of Powerscourt, county Dublin, lands Powerscourte, Kylpeter, Kylcolin, Beanaghbege, Beanaghmore, le Ouenaghe, Ballycortie, Templebegan, Killtagoran, Cookestown, Anecrew, Kyllmolinge, Ballinebrowe, Killeger, and Manyster in Fercollyn, county Dublin

   "To hold in tail male, by the service of one knight's fee and a rent of five marks

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 101

   As the companion tells it

   In 1543 the Manor and Castle of Powerscourt were granted to Terence O'Toole, a gentleman, along with lands named Powerscourte, Kylpeter, Kylcolin, and many others. He was to hold them in tail male, by service of one knight's fee and a rent of five marks. The grant carried conditions: keeping the castle in repair, and enforcing English customs and language among the inhabitants of this parish.

3. Purchase of Luggala and Wicklow estates from Beresford and Latouche

   near Luggala or Fancy Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Wicklow

   After purchasing estates in county Wicklow from Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche, the author sold an English estate near Portsmouth to help pay for the newly-acquired lands near Powerscourt, including Luggala.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   Page 101. There is a reference here to the long ridge running along by the side of the race-course, over Enniskerry, and which is marked in old maps as " Hampshire Hill." There was formerly a small estate belonging to the family near Fareham in Hampshire, called the Bere Estate, which consisted of one large farm, some labourers' allotments, and a plantation, also some fields at the back of the town of Portsmouth, on the road to Hilsea. After I purchased the estates in county Wicklow of Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche, I sold the Portsea Estate, as it was called, to pay for the newly-purchased lands near home. I think the lands near Portsmouth and in Hampshire must have been purchased by Sir Richard Wingfield, K.G., who was Governor of Portsmouth.

   If one could have foreseen what was to happen in Ireland with the land question, I am afraid I should have been wiser to have kept that small English estate and sold some of the Irish estates, in Tyrone perhaps, to pay for Luggala, etc. But everyone was against selling Irish land in those days, and I thought it best to consolidate as much as possible near one's own home at Powerscourt. As things are now, and as the lands of Ireland are to be sold to the tenants, it would have been better if I had held on to the English estate. But one cannot always see before one, and it is now useless to regret what cannot be helped.

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 130

   As the companion tells it

   This mountain is Luggala, also called Fancy Mountain, in Wicklow. It became part of the Powerscourt lands after the author of the book bought estates in county Wicklow from Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche. To pay for the newly-purchased lands near home at Powerscourt, he sold a small English estate near Portsmouth. That estate, called the Portsea Estate, lay around Fareham in Hampshire, and consisted of one large farm, some labourers' allotments, a plantation, and some fields at the back of Portsmouth on the road to Hilsea. He believed those lands had been purchased originally by Sir Richard Wingfield, who was Governor of Portsmouth. He writes that if he could have foreseen what was to happen in Ireland with the land question, he would have been wiser to have kept that small English estate and sold some of the Irish estates, in Tyrone perhaps, to pay for Luggala. But everyone was against selling Irish land in those days, and he thought it best to consolidate as much as possible near his own home at Powerscourt. He says that as things are now, and as the lands of Ireland are to be sold to the tenants, it would have been better if he had held on to the English estate. But, he says, one cannot always see before one, and it is now useless to regret what cannot be helped.

4. The Great Ash-Tree Blown Down at Powerscourt

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1872

   A famous ash-tree at Powerscourt, measuring 37 feet in girth, was blown down and stood near the spiked gate opposite the old churchyard. A water-colour drawing of the tree was made by Charles Grey in 1872.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   pictures at Holkham : Le Due d'Arenberg, after Vandyck ; Charles James Fox, after Sir Joshua Reynolds. Engravings, after John Philip, R.A., of Lord Palmerston's Cabinet. Picture in three compartments, by James Giles, R.S.A., of deer-stalking, called " Veni, Vidi, Via'" The scenery is in Mar Forest, and the stalker is James Grant, head forester to the late Earl of Fife. Over it portrait of Edward, second Viscount Powerscourt, a small oval pastel. An oil painting, by James Giles, R.S.A., of Achnacarry, Lochiel's Forest, with Ben Nevis in the background. Series of portraits in frame of members of White's Club, London, with key. Another series of portraits of my friends, both by Dighton. Water-colour drawing, by Charles Grey, 1872, of the great ash-tree, blown down at Powerscourt. This tree measured 37 ft. in girth at 4 ft. from the ground, and stood nearly opposite the spiked gate opposite the old churchyard. Coloured photograph portrait of Mervyn Edward, seventh Viscount Powerscourt, in uniform of the 1st Life Guards, full length ; also my brother, the Hon. Maurice Richard Wingfield, Lieutenant R.N., with Crimean and Baltic medals, both by Lowes Dickinson. Portrait in oil of Mervyn, Viscount Powerscourt (1854), by Catterson Smith. Two small pictures, by Lawless, Off Guard, and a Cavalier in his Cups. Lawless has been called the English Meissonier, but he was hardly of that calibre ! Four small watercolour drawings, one the Villa Albano at Rome (1843), by Ladv Honoria Cadogan. Two small drawings in one frame : one the Island of Capri, the other a view in sepia, by the late Lord Northampton. Portrait of the Hon. Mervyn Wingfield, afterwards seventh Viscount Powerscourt (watercolour), sitting on the floor with a book (1842), by Frederick W. Burton. Two small sepia drawings, by F. G. Loutherbourg (1772). Hon. Lewis Wingfield on pony, by G. Grey, R.H.A. Small portrait of Frederick, Viscount Castlereagh (1836). A small portrait of a deer, by Mervyn, Viscount Powerscourt.

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 58

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through the parish of Powerscourt in Wicklow, there was once a great ash-tree standing near the spiked gate opposite the old churchyard. It measured 37 feet in girth at 4 feet from the ground. The wind brought it down, and in 1872, Charles Grey made a water-colour drawing of the fallen tree. That drawing found its place among the collection of pictures at Powerscourt, hung alongside portraits of viscounts, scenes of deer-stalking in Mar Forest, and views of Capri and Rome. But the ash-tree was none of those distant things. It stood in this parish, 37 feet around its trunk, until the wind took it.

5. Attainder and Grant of Powerscourt Castle and Manor, 1538

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1538

   The manors and castles of Powerscourt, Fasaghe Roo, and Rathdown were forfeited to the Crown by the attainder of Richard Fitzgerald and granted to Peter Talbot in 1538.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   In the year 1538 the manors and castles of Powerscourte, Fasaghe Roo, and Rathdowne, co. Dublin, the lands of Powerscourte, Fasaghe Roo, Rathdowne, Cookeston, Temple Cargye, Kyllegvre, Kylgarran, and Cowlneskeaghe, were in the King's hands by the attainder of Richard Fitzgeralde, and were granted to Peter Talbote of Kylmahioke, gent. (Fiant 30th October 30 Henry VIII.).

   Talbot surrendered this grant to the Crown in 1542, in return for a grant of other lands in co. Dublin (Fiant 6 April 33 Henry VIII.). Thereupon Tirlogh (or Terence) and Arte (or Arthur) O'Toole petitioned the King for a grant of these lands and lands in the territory of " Feartry," which they alleged had belonged to their ancestors, and in the same year (1542) Patents were accordingly passed to the two O'Tooles. The following grant to Terence O'Toole is amongst the Fiants of Henry VIII. (No. 548), and it is also entered in the Auditor-General's Patent Book. It bears no date, but from other evidence it was no doubt made in 1543 :— — -

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 101

   As the companion tells it

   This parish of Powerscourt carries a mark from 1538. In that year the manors and castles of Powerscourt, Fasaghe Roo, and Rathdown, along with lands at Cookstown, Templecargy, Kyllegvre, Kylgarran, and Cowlneskeaghe, were forfeited to the Crown by the attainder of Richard Fitzgerald. The grant went to Peter Talbot of Kylmahioke, a gentleman, on the 30th of October, in the 30th year of Henry the Eighth's reign. Talbot did not hold these lands long. In 1542 he surrendered the grant back to the Crown in return for other lands in Dublin. That same year, two brothers, Tirlogh, or Terence, and Arte, or Arthur, O'Toole, petitioned the King for a grant of these same lands and lands in the territory of Feartry. They said the lands had belonged to their ancestors. Patents were passed to both O'Tooles in 1542, and a grant to Terence O'Toole, though undated, was most likely made in 1543.

6. Bookcases carved from oak felled at Powerscourt Waterfall

   near Powerscourt Waterfall · waterfall · Wicklow · 1865

   The carved oak bookcases in the Library were made from timber of a large oak tree that once stood at the foot of Powerscourt Waterfall and was blown down; the stump reportedly remains there still.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   the cat among the ruins of the station, put it under his arm, and rode on with the Staff to Cairo. They kept joking, saying, " That cat is very heavy, you will never carry it to Cairo ;" but he said " I will carry it there, if 1 die for it." When he got there, being very tired, he lay down on the platform of the railway-station and fell fast asleep, with the cat under his head. He wore round his waist a leather belt with a pouch, containing his month's salary from the "Times" (.£60) and his revolver. When he awoke, the revolver and the pouch and the money had disappeared, but the cat was still there ! There are some Cloisonne enamels and vases on the bookcases which I brought from India in 1861, and which had been looted from the Summer Palace at Pekin. The carved oak bookcases in this room were made from a large oak-tree, which stood at the foot of Powerscourt Waterfall, which was blown down. The stump is still there. They were made by Messrs. Fry of Dublin in 1865. In this room is a large casket, carved with figures in ivory all round, and inlaid in green and white ivory, bought at Nuremberg by Frederick, fourth Marquis of Londonderry. This was in my mother's London house, and was brought here by me after her death.

   Under the picture of Marshal Wingfield hangs a small sampler of ancient tapestry, representing Charles II. and his Queen, Catherine of Braganza, and an Esquire, with real hair, probably the hair of the King and Queen, woven into the tapestry. This was given to me by my great-uncle, the Hon. and Rev. William Wingfield, Vicar of Abbeyleix, Queen's County, who supposed it to have been part of the scarf given to Marshal Wingfield, but it could not be that, as it is not of that date. I took it to the British Museum at the time of the Tudor Exhibition, and it was pronounced there certainly to be Charles II. and his Queen. It probably was given to ffblliott Wingfield,' who was created Viscount Powerscourt of the second creation by Charles II.

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 33

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere about Powerscourt Waterfall, a great oak tree once stood at the foot of the falls. It was blown down, but the stump is still there. From its timber the carved oak bookcases in the Library were made, by Messrs. Fry of Dublin, in 1865. On those bookcases sit Cloisonne enamels and vases, brought from India in 1861, which had been looted from the Summer Palace at Pekin. The room holds other treasures gathered across the world. There is a large casket, carved with figures in ivory all round, inlaid in green and white ivory, bought at Nuremberg by Frederick, fourth Marquis of Londonderry. It stood in the writer's mother's London house and was brought to Powerscourt after her death. Under the picture of Marshal Wingfield hangs a small sampler of ancient tapestry, showing Charles the Second and his Queen, Catherine of Braganza, and an Esquire, with real hair woven into the tapestry, probably the hair of the King and Queen. It was given by the writer's great-uncle, the Hon. and Rev. William Wingfield, Vicar of Abbeyleix, Queen's County, who supposed it to have been part of a scarf given to Marshal Wingfield. But it could not be that, as it is not of that date. It was taken to the British Museum at the time of the Tudor Exhibition and pronounced there to be certainly Charles the Second and his Queen. It was probably given to Elliot Wingfield, who was created Viscount Powerscourt of the second creation by Charles the Second.

7. Creation of the Viscountcy of Powerscourt, 1618

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1618

   Sir Richard Wingfield was elevated to the Irish peerage on 19 February 1618 as Viscount Powerscourt of Powerscourt and Baron Wingfield, establishing the title associated with the estate.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   was confirmed to him by James I., and he was at the same time called to His Majesty's Privy Council. In 1 6 1 3 Sir Richard was joined in the Government of Ireland, and again in 1626, having in the interim been elevated to the peerage of that kingdom (19 February, 161 8) by the title of Viscount Powerscourt of Powerscourt and Baron Wingfield. He died without issue in 1634, when the dignity expired and the estates devolved upon his cousin Sir Edward Wingfield, Knight, of Carnew, co. Wicklow, a distinguished soldier under the Earl of Essex, and a person of great influence and power in Ireland,*

   The story goes that Marshal Wingfield returned to Queen Elizabeth to pay his respects after his campaign. The Queen said to him, " Well, Sir Richard, what is to be your reward ?" He bowed, and said, " The scarf which Your Majesty wears will be sufficient reward for me." Upon which the Queen placed the scarf over his shoulder, as may be seen in the picture. Afterwards he was made Viscount Powerscourt by James I., as mentioned above, and given a grant of the lands in the counties of Wicklow, Dublin, Tyrone, and Wexford.

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 31

   As the companion tells it

   The road takes you through the parish of Powerscourt, in Wicklow. Sir Richard Wingfield was confirmed in his holdings by James the First and called to the Privy Council. On the 19th of February 1618 he was elevated to the peerage of Ireland by the title of Viscount Powerscourt of Powerscourt and Baron Wingfield. He was joined in the Government of Ireland and again in 1626. He died without issue in 1634, when the dignity expired and the estates devolved upon his cousin Sir Edward Wingfield, Knight, of Carnew in county Wicklow, a distinguished soldier under the Earl of Essex and a person of great influence and power in Ireland. There is a story told of Marshal Wingfield returning to Queen Elizabeth to pay his respects after his campaign. The Queen said to him, "Well, Sir Richard, what is to be your reward?" He bowed and said, "The scarf which Your Majesty wears will be sufficient reward for me." The Queen placed the scarf over his shoulder, as may be seen in the picture. Afterwards he was made Viscount Powerscourt by James the First and given a grant of lands in the counties of Wicklow, Dublin, Tyrone, and Wexford.

8. Eustace le Poer's hunting rights in the Royal forest of Powerscourt

   Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1296

   The Calendar of State Papers for 1296 records that Eustace le Poer was permitted to keep six stags and six hinds in the Royal forest of Powerscourt, showing that the Crown asserted rights over the Bishop's land.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   early time retained their castle is not known. Archbishop Alan found the O'Tooles, probably the Bishop of Glendalough's early tenants (corbes), back again in possession. But the fact that Eustace, afterwards Viscount Baltinglass, is also called Power (or Pour), suggests that the Powers migrated from Powerscourt, or were driven out to another part of the country. But it is stated in the Calendar of State Papers for 1296, that Eustace le Poer was allowed to have six stags and six hinds in the Royal forest of Powerscourt,* so that the Crown must have asserted some rights over the Bishop's land. The O'Tooles, however, certainly possessed the place during the long period when the Wars of the Roses made the English control of Ireland so weak and inefficient.

   About 1520, Gerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, was encouraged by the King to attack the wild tribes in the mountains (not yet known as the co. Wicklow). He did so, and took the country reaching from the present Bray inland, apparently fortifying Fassaroe and Powerscourt, which he held against them. No doubt he rebuilt and strengthened Powerscourt, which it was the policy of the Irish to destroy, for their warfare, since the introduction of cannon, was not to hold forts, then easily reduced, but to carry on guerilla warfare in the woody and difficult country which they knew so well.

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 3

   As the companion tells it

   The parish of Powerscourt carries a story about the Crown reaching over the Bishop's land. In 1296, the Calendar of State Papers records that Eustace le Poer was allowed to keep six stags and six hinds in the Royal forest of Powerscourt. That permission alone shows the Crown asserting rights over land that belonged to the Bishop of Glendalough. Eustace le Poer was afterwards called Viscount Baltinglass. His family name was also spelled Power or Pour, and that fact suggests the Powers had migrated from Powerscourt, or had been driven out to another part of the country. Before them, the O'Tooles had been the Bishop's early tenants, known as corbes. Archbishop Alan found the O'Tooles back in possession of the place. They held it through the long years of the Wars of the Roses, when English control of Ireland grew weak. Around 1520, Gerald, the 9th Earl of Kildare, was encouraged by the King to attack the wild tribes in the mountains, a land not yet known as County Wicklow. He took the country reaching from the present Bray inland, fortifying Fassaroe and Powerscourt against them. He rebuilt and strengthened Powerscourt, which the Irish had a policy of destroying. Since the introduction of cannon, their warfare was not to hold forts, easily reduced, but to carry on guerrilla warfare in the woody and difficult country they knew so well.

9. Granite for terraces quarried at Glencree

   near Glencree · valley · Wicklow

   The stone-work of the terraces was carried out under Robertson's superintendence by Mathew Noble, an old tenant and stone-cutter in Glencree, using granite from the estate's own quarries in Glencree.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   The stone-work was carried out under Mr. Robertson's superintendence by Mathew Noble, an old tenant and stone-cutter in Glencree. The working drawings are all in the book of plans. All the granite was from our own quarries in Glencree.

   The three statues — Apollo Belvedere, Diana, and Laocoon — Richard, sixth Viscount Powerscourt brought from Italy, but he died in 1844, and they had not been placed in their positions. The work of the terrace was thus discontinued, and was not resumed until 1858. At that time there was a gardener here, named Alexander Robertson, who had been gardener at Camperdown in Scotland. He was a very clever man, and had more taste than any man of his class that I ever saw.

   Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 72

   As the companion tells it

   This valley of Glencree supplied the granite for the terraces at Powerscourt. The stone-work was carried out under Mr. Robertson's superintendence by Mathew Noble, an old tenant and stone-cutter in Glencree. All the granite came from the estate's own quarries here in the valley. Richard, sixth Viscount Powerscourt, brought three statues from Italy — Apollo Belvedere, Diana, and Laocoon — but he died in 1844, and they had not been placed in their positions. The work of the terrace was discontinued, and was not resumed until 1858. At that time there was a gardener at Powerscourt named Alexander Robertson, who had been gardener at Camperdown in Scotland. He was a very clever man, and had more taste than any man of his class that the author ever saw.

10. Grant of Powerscourt to Peter Talbot then surrender

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1538–1541

    In 1538 Henry VIII granted Powerscourt to Peter Talbot, likely on condition of completing and holding the structure, but Talbot disliked this and surrendered it in 1541.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In 1538 King Henry VIII. granted it to Peter Talbot, probably with condition of completing the structure and of keeping it, which that person disliked, for he surrendered it in 1541, and shortly after it was granted to its destroyers, viz., to Terence or Turlough O'Toole.

    This grant of 1541 was part of the policy by which Henry got himself accepted as King by the Irish chieftains. But of course the acceptance of a Patent from the King by Turlough O'Toole also implied that in case of rebellion or treason, his lands would be forfeited to the Crown.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    The parish of Powerscourt saw a notable turn in the 1530s. In 1538 Henry VIII granted Powerscourt to Peter Talbot, likely on condition of completing and holding the structure. Talbot disliked this and surrendered it in 1541. Shortly after, it was granted to Terence or Turlough O'Toole. The grant was part of Henry's policy to get himself accepted as king by the Irish chieftains. But accepting a patent from the king also meant that in case of rebellion or treason, Turlough O'Toole's lands would be forfeited to the Crown.

11. Hampshire Hill ridge above Enniskerry race-course

    Enniskerry · town · Wicklow

    A long ridge running alongside the race-course over Enniskerry is marked on old maps as "Hampshire Hill," a name recalling the family's former Bere Estate near Fareham in Hampshire.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Page 101. There is a reference here to the long ridge running along by the side of the race-course, over Enniskerry, and which is marked in old maps as " Hampshire Hill." There was formerly a small estate belonging to the family near Fareham in Hampshire, called the Bere Estate, which consisted of one large farm, some labourers' allotments, and a plantation, also some fields at the back of the town of Portsmouth, on the road to Hilsea. After I purchased the estates in county Wicklow of Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche, I sold the Portsea Estate, as it was called, to pay for the newly-purchased lands near home. I think the lands near Portsmouth and in Hampshire must have been purchased by Sir Richard Wingfield, K.G., who was Governor of Portsmouth.

    If one could have foreseen what was to happen in Ireland with the land question, I am afraid I should have been wiser to have kept that small English estate and sold some of the Irish estates, in Tyrone perhaps, to pay for Luggala, etc. But everyone was against selling Irish land in those days, and I thought it best to consolidate as much as possible near one's own home at Powerscourt. As things are now, and as the lands of Ireland are to be sold to the tenants, it would have been better if I had held on to the English estate. But one cannot always see before one, and it is now useless to regret what cannot be helped.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 130

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Enniskerry in Wicklow, old maps mark a long ridge running along by the side of the race-course as Hampshire Hill. The name reaches back to a small estate the family once held near Fareham in Hampshire, called the Bere Estate. It was made up of one large farm, some labourers' allotments, and a plantation, along with some fields at the back of the town of Portsmouth, on the road to Hilsea. The author tells how, after he purchased the estates in county Wicklow of Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche, he sold the Portsea Estate, as it was called, to pay for the newly purchased lands near home. He believed the lands near Portsmouth and in Hampshire must have been purchased originally by Sir Richard Wingfield, Governor of Portsmouth. Looking back, he confesses that if he could have foreseen what was to happen in Ireland with the land question, he should have been wiser to keep that small English estate and sold some of the Irish estates instead, in Tyrone perhaps, to pay for Luggala. But everyone was against selling Irish land in those days, and he thought it best to consolidate as much as possible near one's own home at Powerscourt. As things stood when he wrote, with the lands of Ireland to be sold to the tenants, it would have been better to hold on to the English estate. He closes with the words, one cannot always see before one, and it is now useless to regret what cannot be helped.

12. Irish elk heads recovered at Luggala

    near Luggala or Fancy Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Wicklow · 1859

    Two broken Irish elks' heads were found at Luggala while it belonged to the Latouche family. The author bought Luggala from Colonel David Latouche and brought the heads to Powerscourt in 1859.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In the Small Hall in the East Wing there are two more staghorn pendants, also from Bavaria. In the centre hangs a brass lamp, out of an Indian temple in Mysore, brought by me from India. Between the glass cases of arms stands a column, brought by my mother Lady Londonderry from Rome, a Mosaic column such as is used for the paschal candle in the churches there. It is surmounted by a portrait of Mary Somerville, the poetess. Out of the Armoury is a small room, which is used by my sons as their sitting-room. In this room are two broken Irish elks' heads, found at Luggala when that place belonged to the Latouche family. When I bought Luggala from Colonel David Latouche, I brought these heads to Powerscourt in 1859. There are also in this room heads of Indian blackbucks, etc., given to me by friends, also some stags' heads killed in the park here by my sons, and other trophies, engravings, etc.

    THE OCTAGON LIBRARY.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    Near this road is Luggala, also called Fancy Mountain, in Wicklow. Two broken Irish elks' heads were found here when this mountain belonged to the Latouche family. The man who recorded this bought Luggala from Colonel David Latouche and brought the heads to Powerscourt in 1859. He placed them in a small room off the Armoury that his sons used as their sitting-room. In that same room are heads of Indian blackbucks given to him by friends, stags' heads killed in the park at Powerscourt by his sons, engravings, and other trophies. The broken elk heads were found on this mountain while the Latouche family held it, then carried off when the land changed hands, and kept at Powerscourt from that year on.

13. Luggala demesne walled off by the Latouches

    near Luggala or Fancy Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Wicklow

    The Latouches incorporated land on the eastern side of Lough Tay into the demesne of Luggala, building a lodge and a high wall enclosing the woods planted for shelter around it.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    which abuts on Powerscourt Deerpark. The grazings of Ballinastoe ran along the east side of the Barrack or White Hill along the south side of Djonce and War Hill, and were called " The Sheepbanks," reaching up nearly to Sally Gap or Stranamuck, which was claimed as part of the ancient Powerscourt Estate, and on which are still the ruins of an old stone building called " Lord Powerscourt's Grouse House/' The land on the eastern side of the lake, Lough Tav, had been incorporated by the Latouches into the demesne of Luggala, and a mansion or lodge had been built. by them in the valley near the lake, and a high wall built from the corner of the road at the end of the townland of Shraghmore, along the road leading westward to Sally Gap, to a bridge across the stream descending from the back of the White Hill, called Ballyhorrigan Bridge, and thence down to the brook which supplies Lough Tay with water, enclosing the woods round the lodge at Luggala, which were planted for shelter, and forming the demesne. This stream forms the boundary between Ballinastoe and Clohoge. There is no doubt that Clohoge formed part of the land leased in perpetuity to Thomas Hugo, for I continue to pay a head rent as the present owner of Clohoge to Mr. Hugo. Ballinastoe was the property of Luke Toole in 1641, and he being a Papist his lands were forfeited, and were included in the Grant of the Manor of Castle Kevin to Sir John Cooke. The lands included in this grant are now in the hands of several owners. The brook, which feeds Lough Tay and eventually Lough Dan lower down the valley, joined with several tributary streams from Djonce and the other mountains, forms the river Vartry, which now supplies Dublin with water from the Roundwood Reservoir.

    There appears to have been a battle in remote times between the Rebels and the King's Army, which is said to have given the name to the "War Hill" (?). This is problematical.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    Luggala, or Fancy Mountain, rises here in Wicklow. The Latouches took the land on the eastern side of Lough Tay and made it part of the demesne of Luggala. They built a lodge in the valley near the lake, and planted woods around it for shelter. A high wall ran to enclose those woods. It began at the corner of the road at the end of the townland of Shraghmore, followed the road leading westward to Sally Gap, reached a bridge across the stream descending from the back of the White Hill, called Ballyhorrigan Bridge, and then ran down to the brook that supplies Lough Tay with water. That brook feeds not only Lough Tay but Lough Dan lower down the valley, and joined with tributary streams from Djonce and the other mountains it forms the river Vartry, which now supplies Dublin with water from the Roundwood Reservoir. The stream also forms the boundary between Ballinastoe and Clohoge. Ballinastoe was the property of Luke Toole in 1641. He being a Papist, his lands were forfeited, and were included in the Grant of the Manor of Castle Kevin to Sir John Cooke. There appears to have been a battle in remote times between the Rebels and the King's Army, which is said to have given the name to War Hill. This is problematical.

14. Old Church converted into a picturesque ruin

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1859

    After the new Church came into use, the author purchased the fabric of the old Church for £50, and it was unroofed, partly pulled down, and converted into a picturesque ruin containing two family monuments in marble.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    When the new Church came into use I purchased the fabric of the old Church from the then Rector, the Rev. Joshua Lacy Bernard, for £50. It was then unroofed, partly pulled down, and converted into a picturesque ruin. There are two family monuments in marble in it, which I had reset

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 66

    As the companion tells it

    The parish of Powerscourt holds the remains of an old church. In 1859, after the new church came into use, the author bought the fabric of the old one from the Rector, Reverend Joshua Lacy Bernard, for £50. It was unroofed, partly pulled down, and made into a picturesque ruin. Two marble family monuments inside were reset.

15. Powerscourt as Church lands of Glendalough

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow

    The earliest known history of the Powerscourt lands shows they were Church lands attached to the Bishoprick of Glendalough, later joined to the Archbishoprick of Dublin. Head rent continued to be paid to the Archbishop until recently.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    I now revert to the earlier history of Powerscourt. The earliest knowledge we have of the lands of Powerscourt is that they were Church lands, attached to the Bishoprick of Glendalough, which was joined very early to the Archbishoprick of Dublin. Head rent was paid till recently to the Archbishop for a neighbouring estate.

    In an account of the tenants of the See at the end of the reign of Edward II. in Alan's " Blackbook," we read that " the heir of Eustace le Powere holds one carucate of land at Stamelyn (Stagonil), and was accustomed to render for it yearly 2cw. It is now among the Irish." Alan notes that this was in his time commonly called Powerscourt.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    These lands were Church lands, tied to the Bishoprick of Glendalough, which early on was joined to the Archbishoprick of Dublin. Head rent was paid to the Archbishop until recently for a neighbouring estate. At the end of Edward the Second's reign, an account of the tenants of the See, recorded in Alan's Blackbook, notes that the heir of Eustace le Powere held one carucate of land at Stagonil and was accustomed to render for it yearly two pounds. The record adds, "It is now among the Irish." Alan notes that this place was in his time commonly called Powerscourt.

16. Purchase of Luggala from Colonel David La Touche

    near Luggala or Fancy Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Wicklow

    The author purchased the Luggala estate from Colonel David La Touche, and was given a picture of the place by his cousin, Mr. William La Touche of Bellevue, who remarked that since the author now owned Luggala he might as well have the picture too.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In the Barrack Room are four large pictures : two representing the Waterfall and the Dargle, and the other two, landscapes with ruins, attributed to Barrett. A view in the Pink Room, of Luggala, given to me by Mr. William La Touche of Bellevue, after I purchased Luggala from his cousin, Colonel David La Touche. He said, " As you have got the place, you may as well have the picture too."

    In the Pink Dressing Room are a framed series of portraits by Count D'Orsay, of London celebrities of his time. I bought them at the sale of Mr. John Loraine Baldwin at Aucuba Lodge, Regent's Park, London.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    Luggala, or Fancy Mountain, is the place you are passing. An author once purchased this estate from Colonel David La Touche. His cousin, Mr. William La Touche of Bellevue, then gave him a picture of Luggala, saying, 'As you have got the place, you may as well have the picture too.' The painting hung in the Pink Room, a view of the mountain itself, a gift that passed from one owner of the land to the next.

17. St. Moling's ancient holy well supplying drinking water

    Kilmalin · townland · Wicklow

    An ancient holy well called St. Moling's Well in the upper sheep-walk of the demesne supplied drinking water via an iron pipe to the yard; it gives its name to the adjacent townland of Kilmolin.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    St. Moling's Well gives the name to the adjacent townland — Kilmolin.

    On the east side of the farm-buildings, between them and the back of the Laundry, is a large open space, formerly occupied by a grove of tall beech trees ; but as most of these were decaying at the roots I cut them down in 1900, and cleared the ground, lest they should fall upon the adjacent buildings, leaving the space for any additional buildings which may be required. In one of these trees formerly hung the workmen's bell, described above, and I removed it and hung it on the end of the old barn in a more permanent manner.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 70

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Kilmalin is St. Moling's Well, which gave its name to this place. The well stood near a grove of tall beech trees, on the east side of the farm-buildings, between them and the back of the laundry. Most of those beeches were decaying at the roots, and in 1900 they were cut down and the ground cleared, lest they should fall upon the adjacent buildings. A workmen's bell had hung in one of those trees. It was taken down and rehung on the end of the old barn in a more permanent manner.

18. Stranamuck disputed as Powerscourt freehold since 1611

    Stranamuck · townland · Donegal · 1611–1752

    Old maps used in lawsuits recorded that the land of Stranamuck near Sally Gap was the soil and freehold of Lord Powerscourt from 1611 down to 1752, forming the basis of long-running boundary disputes with Ffartry.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    All this I have written is introductive to the history of the "Controversies mentioned in the Down Survey between Ffartry and Powerscourt. It appears that my ancestors had for generations laid claim to the lands of Stranamuck at Sally Gap, and on the old maps which were used in the endless lawsuits about the boundaries it is written, no doubt for the instruction of counsel, "The land of Stranamuck near Sally Gap was the soil and freehold of Lord Powerscourt from the year 161 1 down to 1752." (Sally Gap is the point on the ridge where four county roads meet, coming from Ballinastoe, from Glendalough, and from Glencree, to cross over to Blessington and the portion of the County Wicklow which lies to the west of the mountains. These passes were often called "Gaps.'' There is another called Wicklow Gap where the mountain road crosses the ridge into County Wexford.)

    "His Lordship Edward, 2nd Viscount, in the name of Benjamin Buckley, probably his agent, brought. an action against William Sheil, Esq., and others for impounding the cattle belonging to his tenants on this land. The said William Sheil declared that this land was part of the townland of Ballinastoe in the Lordship of Ffartry, parish of Derralossary and Barony of Ballinacor. Through

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here lies land that kept two families in court for generations. Stranamuck, near Sally Gap, was the soil and freehold of Lord Powerscourt from 1611 down to 1752, or so the old maps said. Those maps were drawn up for the endless lawsuits over boundaries between Powerscourt and Ffartry. On one map, written no doubt for the instruction of counsel, are the words: "The land of Stranamuck near Sally Gap was the soil and freehold of Lord Powerscourt from the year 1611 down to 1752." Sally Gap is the point on the ridge where four county roads meet, coming from Ballinastoe, from Glendalough, and from Glencree, to cross over to Blessington and the western portion of County Wicklow. These passes were often called Gaps. His Lordship Edward, 2nd Viscount, in the name of Benjamin Buckley, probably his agent, brought an action against William Sheil and others for impounding the cattle belonging to his tenants on this land. William Sheil declared that this land was part of Ballinastoe in the Lordship of Ffartry, parish of Derralossary and Barony of Ballinacor.

19. Thirteen gates on the road to the waterfall before improvement

    near Powerscourt Waterfall · waterfall · Wicklow

    Before the road improvements, the valley from Tinnehinch up to the deer-park was held by tenants with ordinary wooden gates at every field boundary, requiring the opening of no less than thirteen gates to reach the waterfall.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    had lost his arm by accident at the saw-mills when first established, having cut it off with the circular-saw, was placed here at the time, with a kind of sentry-box, to open and close the gate as required. This, of course, was rather a primitive mode of doing things.. Also, as the labourers all left their work at six o'clock, if we went to the waterfall and did not come back until after six o'clock, we found the gate locked and could not get in, so I built a gate-lodge and also the iron bridge, and Byrne was put there as the gatekeeper. Beyond this, up to the deer-park gate, the whole valley was in the hands of the tenants. There was a road, but it was more a farm road than one worthy of a place like this, and never properly laid out — all sharp turns and angles, which made it very inconvenient. There were also at the divisions of every farm, on the way up and at every field, ordinary wooden gates across the road, and also inside the demesne,^so that to get to the waterfall it was necessary to open no less than thirteen gates. There were also several old cottages, which were pulled down and the inhabitants removed elsewhere. Robertson said there was only one thing to be done, and that was to take in the land all the way up and make a proper road and fence it, so that the gates should be dispensed with, which was accordingly done by an arrangement with the tenants. The idea I had was that all unnecessary gates, except where a public road was crossed, should be removed, which was done, as in other parts of the demesne, by fencing in each field with continuous iron fencing, leaving the roads and woods all free.

    There was also a ford across the Glencree Road at the point where the iron bridge is now, halfway to the deer-park, so that when the river was high we could not get to the deer-park that way at all, and had to go round by Charleville and Coolakay, and down the steep hill at Ballinagee.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 93

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Powerscourt Waterfall, before the road was improved, you would have had to open no less than thirteen gates to reach the falls. The whole valley up to the deer-park gate was in the hands of tenants, and at the division of every farm and at every field there were ordinary wooden gates across the road. The road itself was more a farm road than one worthy of the place, never properly laid out, all sharp turns and angles. A man who had lost his arm to a circular saw at the saw-mills when they were first established was placed at a gate in a kind of sentry-box, to open and close it as required. The labourers all left their work at six o'clock, so if you went to the waterfall and did not come back until after six, you found the gate locked and could not get in. A gate-lodge was built, and also the iron bridge, and Byrne was put there as gatekeeper. There were also several old cottages along the way, which were pulled down and the inhabitants removed elsewhere. Robertson said there was only one thing to be done, and that was to take in the land all the way up and make a proper road and fence it, so that the gates should be dispensed with. This was done by arrangement with the tenants. Each field was fenced with continuous iron fencing, leaving the roads and woods free, and all unnecessary gates removed except where a public road crossed. There was also a ford across the Glencree Road where the iron bridge now stands, halfway to the deer-park. When the river was high, the deer-park could not be reached that way at all, and the journey had to go round by Charleville and Coolakay, and down the steep hill at Ballinagee.

20. Tom Parnell Lays Out the Tinnehinch Avenue and Jeffrey's Glen Roads

    near Tinnehinch · townland · Wicklow · 1846–1848

    Tom Parnell laid out the Tinnehinch Avenue where formerly there had only been a steep breakneck road down to the river from the house, and also laid out roads in Jeffrey's Glen which were later completed by the author from his plans.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The roads in the deer-park were made, the one on the south side, from the entrance gate below up to the paddock gate, being called " The Ladies' Drive," after my mother ; and the other, descending from the paddock back to the waterfall with many turns and curves, " The Earl's Drive," after my grandfather Lord Roden. Mr. Parnell used to say, " It is the first duty of a Christian to make good roads," and he certainly carried out many improvements. He laid out the Tinnehinch Avenue, where there was formerly only a steep breakneck road down to the river from the house. He laid out the roads in Jeffrey's Glen, which I completed afterwards from his plans, and made other great improvements. He used to say that he would make a road up or down any of the hills which a horse could trot either up or down hill on. How much more useful a work than that of his nephew the agitator !

    To return to the lake at the upper end of the deer-park, my father directed him to form a lake in the ravine, which was done, a dam being built at the lower end ; but, from my father's illness necessitating his living in Italy, and from Mr. Parnell being occupied with religious meetings in Dublin, the work was carelessly done. The dam was made only of friable stone and gravel, and a very short time after its completion, when the water accumulated and rose to the top of the dam, the whole thing collapsed, and it is said that the water rushed down all at once and flooded the Bray Commons, on which at that time there were fortunately no houses, or anything that could be damaged. That was about the years 1841 or 1842.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Tom Parnell laid out the Tinnehinch Avenue. Before that, there had only been a steep breakneck road down to the river from the house. Parnell also laid out the roads in Jeffrey's Glen, which the author of the passage later completed from his plans. Parnell used to say, "It is the first duty of a Christian to make good roads," and he carried out many improvements. He used to say that he would make a road up or down any of the hills which a horse could trot either up or down hill on. The author calls this a far more useful work than that of his nephew, the agitator. In the deer-park, roads were also made. One on the south side, from the entrance gate below up to the paddock gate, was called the Ladies' Drive, after the author's mother. The other, descending from the paddock back to the waterfall with many turns and curves, was called the Earl's Drive, after the author's grandfather, Lord Roden. The author's father also directed Parnell to form a lake in the ravine. A dam was built at the lower end, but the work was carelessly done. The author's father fell ill and had to live in Italy, and Parnell was occupied with religious meetings in Dublin. The dam was made only of friable stone and gravel, and a very short time after its completion, when the water rose to the top, the whole thing collapsed. The water rushed down all at once and flooded the Bray Commons, where fortunately there were no houses and nothing that could be damaged. That was about 1841 or 1842.

21. Eustace le Powere's tenancy at Stagonil

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1307–1327

    An account of tenants of the See at the end of Edward II's reign records that the heir of Eustace le Powere held one carucate of land at Stamelyn (Stagonil), rendering yearly rent, and that this place was commonly called Powerscourt.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In an account of the tenants of the See at the end of the reign of Edward II. in Alan's " Blackbook," we read that " the heir of Eustace le Powere holds one carucate of land at Stamelyn (Stagonil), and was accustomed to render for it yearly 2cw. It is now among the Irish." Alan notes that this was in his time commonly called Powerscourt.

    This name points to the fact that the original castle was built by a Power (or Poer), and in Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary " it is stated that one of the invaders of that name married the daughter (niece ?) of Milo de Cogan, a companion of Strongbow. How long the Poers of this

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    This parish of Powerscourt takes its name from a family called Power, or Poer, who built the original castle here. An account from the end of Edward the Second's reign records that the heir of Eustace le Powere held one carucate of land at Stamelyn, which is Stagonil, and was accustomed to render for it yearly rent. By that time the land was, in the words of the record, among the Irish. Alan, who kept the Blackbook, noted that this place was in his time commonly called Powerscourt. Lewis's Topographical Dictionary states that one of the invaders of that name married the daughter, or perhaps the niece, of Milo de Cogan, a companion of Strongbow.

22. First stone of upper terrace laid by author as a boy, 1843

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1843

    The upper stone terrace, designed after the Villa Butera in Sicily, had its first stone laid by the author as a little boy on his seventh birthday, 13 October 1843, brought out from the school-room on a cold day.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The upper stone terrace nearest to the house was built after his plans, and designed from the Villa Butera in Sicily, near Palermo, which has been since destroyed. The first stone was laid by myself when a

    78 POWERSCOURT HOUSE AND DEMESNE.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 72

    As the companion tells it

    The road passes through Powerscourt parish. The upper stone terrace was designed after the Villa Butera in Sicily, near Palermo, a villa since destroyed. On 13 October 1843, a cold day, its first stone was laid by the author of these words, a little boy of seven brought out from the school-room for his birthday.

23. Powerscourt granted to Turlough O'Toole

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1541

    Shortly after Peter Talbot's surrender, Powerscourt was granted to its former destroyers, Terence or Turlough O'Toole, as part of Henry VIII's policy of winning acceptance from Irish chieftains.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In 1538 King Henry VIII. granted it to Peter Talbot, probably with condition of completing the structure and of keeping it, which that person disliked, for he surrendered it in 1541, and shortly after it was granted to its destroyers, viz., to Terence or Turlough O'Toole.

    This grant of 1541 was part of the policy by which Henry got himself accepted as King by the Irish chieftains. But of course the acceptance of a Patent from the King by Turlough O'Toole also implied that in case of rebellion or treason, his lands would be forfeited to the Crown.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    The parish of Powerscourt changed hands in the time of Henry 8. In 1538 the king granted it to Peter Talbot, probably on condition that he complete and hold the place. Talbot did not want that burden. He surrendered it in 1541, and shortly after, it was granted to its destroyer, Terence or Turlough O'Toole. This grant was part of Henry's policy of winning acceptance from the Irish chieftains. Accepting a patent from the king also meant that if Turlough O'Toole rebelled or committed treason, his lands would be forfeited to the Crown.

24. Powerscourt title revived for MP for Boyle

    Boyle · town · Roscommon · 1743

    The Powerscourt viscountcy, having twice become extinct, was revived a third time by George I in 1743 in favour of Richard Wingfield, who sat as MP for Boyle in County Roscommon.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    ffolliott Wingfield, but he also died without children, and the title became extinct a second time. There is no portrait of ffblliott Wingfield. Another portrait hanging in this room is that of the first Lord Powerscourt of the third creation, the title having been revived by George I. in 1743 in favour of Richard Wingfield, M.P. for Boyle in co. Roscommon. This picture, painted by Hunter, was formerly in the possession of the late Sir Charles Domvile, Bart., at Santry House, co. Dublin. Sir Charles Domvile's effects at Santry were sold, and I purchased this picture at the sale.* The three pictures of Marshal Wingfield and his wife and Sir Anthony Wingfield had frames which were not of the time when the pictures were painted. I exhibited them at the Exhibition of the Royal House of Tudor at the New Gallery, Regent Street, London, in 1890. While the pictures were there I took the opportunity of having them re-framed by Messrs. Dolman, in. frames of the period, designed by them after those in that exhibition. The frame of Sir Anthony Wingfield's portrait is after that of a portrait of Sir Thomas More. I also lent to that exhibition the portrait of Sir Henry Hobart, Chief Justice of Common Pleas, by C. Jansen. and a small portrait by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury. These two are in the Dining Room. The picture of Sir Anthony Wingfield was purchased in London, at the sale of Mr. Dawson Turner, and given to me by my step-father, Lord Castlereagh, in 1855, before I came of age.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 32

    As the companion tells it

    Boyle in County Roscommon has a connection to the Powerscourt title. That viscountcy had already become extinct twice. Each time the line ran out, the title died with it. The first time it lapsed, it was revived. Then ffolliott Wingfield held it, but he also died without children, and the title became extinct a second time. There is no portrait of ffolliott Wingfield. A third revival came in 1743, when George I brought the title back again, this time in favour of Richard Wingfield. Richard Wingfield sat as MP for Boyle in County Roscommon. So the town of Boyle is tied to the third creation of the Powerscourt viscountcy through the member who represented it in Parliament. A portrait of Richard Wingfield, the first Lord Powerscourt of that third creation, was painted by an artist named Hunter. The picture was once at Santry House in County Dublin, among the effects of Sir Charles Domvile, whose possessions were sold. The portrait was bought at that sale. The viscountcy had been extinct, been revived, been extinct again, and in 1743 began once more under Richard Wingfield, the member for Boyle.

25. Terrace walk runs from steps near the old churchyard at Powerscourt

    Powerscourt Demesne · townland · Wicklow

    The long terrace walk at Powerscourt, extending 800 yards, ran from a set of steps near the old churchyard at the east end to the Ajax statue at the west end. This links the demesne's ornamental terrace to the historic churchyard site.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    When the earthwork on the central plateau was being carried out, we had, as I have stated above, to cart away a great deal of the soil to get down to the proper level, so as not to have the view of the entire lake obstructed from the upper terrace, and most of this was put into the empty lake ; but the terrace on the east side, which was irregular in form, never having been finished by my father, required some work to bring it into character with the rest of the design, and therefore some of the gravel from the plateau was brought to that side, and the slope formed to correspond with the rest. While doing this I erected a stone pedestal for a statue, as I thought this terrace wanted a feature of some kind to account for its existence. Mr. Macdonald, the sculptor at Rome, had designed two colossal groups of heroic style for my father, which were sent over, in plaster, and at his death had been placed in the Entrance Hall, where they nearly touched the ceiling. These had been intended for the terraces, and represented — one, a group of Hector and Andromache, the other Ajax with the body of Patroclus. I had the plaster groups removed to the studio of the late Mr. Kirk, sculptor, of Dublin, and suggested that he should execute them in Portland stone, in what he called the " bravura style." He did this, and I erected " Hector and Andromache " on the east terrace, and " Ajax " at the western end of the long terrace walk, beyond the gardens, extending the walk as far as the level ground permitted, to the edge of the slope at the oak-wood called " The Dead Man's Bank." I do not know why that bank has that name ; probably in the troubled times there must have been some one killed there. This made the terrace-walk 800 yards long, from the steps near the old churchyard at • the east end to the Ajax statue at the west end, and I planted an avenue of araucarias and abies Douglasii from the part where the garden terminates to this statue. The statue of Hector and Andromache was not approved of, being of rather coarse design, and some years after I removed it and placed it on a slope near the churchyard wall, in a less conspicuous position, and replaced it on the east terrace with a much finer work, as follows.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 79

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Powerscourt Demesne, a terrace walk runs 800 yards, from steps near the old churchyard at the east end to the Ajax statue at the west end. When earthwork on the central plateau was carried out, much soil had to be carted away to reach the proper level, so the view of the lake would not be obstructed from the upper terrace. Most went into the empty lake. The east side terrace was irregular, never finished by his father. Gravel from the plateau was brought to that side, the slope formed to match the rest. A stone pedestal was erected for a statue, as the terrace needed a feature to account for its existence. Mr. Macdonald, sculptor at Rome, had designed two colossal groups for the father: Hector and Andromache, and Ajax with the body of Patroclus. They were sent in plaster, and after the father's death placed in the Entrance Hall, where they nearly touched the ceiling. The plaster groups were removed to the studio of the late Mr. Kirk, sculptor of Dublin, who executed them in Portland stone in what he called the "bravura style." Hector and Andromache went on the east terrace, Ajax at the western end of the long terrace walk, beyond the gardens. The walk was extended as far as level ground permitted, to the edge of the slope at the oak-wood called "The Dead Man's Bank." In the troubled times, he supposed, someone must have been killed there, though he did not know why the bank had that name. An avenue of araucarias and abies Douglasii was planted from where the garden terminates to the Ajax statue. The statue of Hector and Andromache was not approved of, being of rather coarse design. Some years later it was removed to a slope near the churchyard wall, in a less conspicuous position, and replaced on the east terrace with a much finer work.

26. 1815 boundary dispute over Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe

    Glasnamullen · townland · Wicklow · 1815

    George Ponsonby, successor to William Sheil, claimed the land extended to Cruckan Pond and Brook, disputing it as part of the townlands of Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe in 1815.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    the negligence of the person who managed his Lordship's affairs at that time, he being himself in France, the said William Sheil obtained a verdict at the Wicklow Assizes 1753. In pursuance of such verdict William Sheil and his assigns were suffered to hold possession since that time, but the Right Hon. Georoe Ponsonby, who succeeded William Sheil, supposed that his land extended to the Cruckan Pond ana Cruckan Brook, and claimed it as part of the townlands of Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe in 1815." And so the rival claims went on. It is no use pursuing the matter further. At the time of my coming of age in 1857, the lands, as far at all events as Ballinastoe was concerned, were in the hands of Major William JBeresford, who probably inherited from the Ponsonbvs, and Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche sold their estates to me, and thereby obliterated the disputed boundaries and the lawsuits in 1858-9. Thus all arguments by gentlemen of the long robe over these mountains ceased, and the onlv voices now heard upon them are those of the beaters driving the grouse, and the only money now spent there goes into their pockets instead of into the denizens of the Four Courts in Dublin — a much happier state of things — and now there is a lasting peace on the former scenes of strife on the old Wicklow Hills !

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 120

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1815, a boundary dispute ran through Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe. The roots of it went back to 1753, when William Sheil won a verdict at the Wicklow Assizes. The lord whose land it was had been in France at the time, and the person managing his affairs had been negligent, so Sheil and his assigns were left to hold possession from then on. Years later, the Right Honourable George Ponsonby, who succeeded William Sheil, claimed that his land extended to the Cruckan Pond and the Cruckan Brook, and pressed for it as part of Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe in 1815. The rival claims went on from there. By 1857, the lands at Ballinastoe were in the hands of Major William Beresford, who probably inherited from the Ponsonbys. Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche sold their estates, and in 1858 and 1859 the disputed boundaries and the lawsuits were obliterated. The arguments of lawyers over these mountains came to an end, and a lasting peace settled on the old Wicklow hills.

27. Boundary Lawsuit Over Powerscourt Mountains

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1816

    Large framed maps of the Powerscourt mountains, made by William Armstrong in 1816, were used as evidence during a lawsuit between Richard, sixth Viscount Powerscourt, and neighbouring proprietors over disputed boundaries. The dispute was eventually resolved when the author purchased the estates involved.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    artist, "An Interior by Candle Light." A portrait of a Peer in robes, time of James II. (possibly an ancestor'?). Plans of Portsea estate, Wexford estate, and Tyrone estate. ; Also large picture, called "Puzzled," painted by my brother, the Hon. Lewis Wingfield. A series of Houbraken portraits. Large framed maps of Powerscourt mountains, which were used during a lawsuit between Richard, sixth Viscount Powerscourt, and other proprietors, about disputed boundaries, made by William Armstrong in 1 8 1 6. These lawsuits were settled by my purchasing the estates in question. !

    In the Tent Bedroom, Pink Bedroom, Pink Dressing Room, Ivy Bedroom, Ivy Dressing Room, and Green Bedroom and Dressing Room and Barrack Room, are chimney-pieces which I purchased from Hodges, which came out of old houses in Dublin. Two carved cassones in the galleries were bought at the sale of Mr. Ram's effects at Ramsfort, co. Wexford, in i 870.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    The road passes through or near the parish of Powerscourt in Wicklow. In 1816, a man named William Armstrong made large framed maps of the Powerscourt mountains. Those maps were used as evidence in a lawsuit between Richard, the sixth Viscount Powerscourt, and neighbouring proprietors, who disputed where the boundaries of their lands lay. The dispute ran on until the author of the book these words come from settled the matter by purchasing the estates in question. So the arguments over those mountain borders ended not in a court's decision but in one man buying the land the fight was about. Armstrong's maps hung at Powerscourt afterwards, among portraits and paintings, including a picture called Puzzled by the author's brother, the Hon. Lewis Wingfield.

28. Cork School of Art receives "A Committee of Inspection" painting

    Cork · city · Cork · 1902

    A picture by James Brenan titled "A Committee of Inspection, co. Cork" was loaned to an exhibition at Cork in 1902. Students of the Cork School of Art requested it be presented to the school as a memento of Brenan, their former head, and the author did so.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Page 38. The picture by James Brenan, called "A Committee of Inspection, co. Cork," was sent by me to the Exhibition at Cork in 1902, on loan. The students of the School of Art there asked me to present the picture to the School, as he had for many years presided over them, as a memento of their former chief, which I did, Mr. Brenan having been subsequently appointed Headmaster of the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin.

    Page 91. There is a story connected with the Mr. Coleman who was the possessor of Stoke Park, near Slough, and from whose collections I bought several pictures, etc., as related in this, book, which is worth recording. I tell the story

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Cork, this city once hosted an exhibition in 1902 that received a painting by James Brenan, called "A Committee of Inspection, co. Cork," sent on loan. The students of the School of Art here asked that the picture be presented to the school as a memento of their former chief, who had presided over them for many years, and the owner agreed to do so. Brenan had subsequently been appointed Headmaster of the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin.

29. Glendalough Lands Leased by Thomas Hugo

    Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow · 1868

    According to the Report of the Irish Church Commissioners of 1868, at the time the Irish Church was disestablished, Thomas Hugo held a lease in perpetuity from the Archbishop of the Glendalough lands, comprising 33,754 acres, including the townlands of Glasnamullen, Ballinastoe, Shraghmore, and Clohoge.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    All this was "Bishops' land" at the time of the Down Survey. The grant to the Archbishop of Dublin has not been able to be traced, but it was no doubt a very early one, prior to the time of Henry VIII. In the Report of the Irish Church Commissioners 1868, when the Irish Church was disestablished and disendowed, it is stated that Thomas Hugo held a lease in perpetuity from the Archbishop of the lands of Glendalough, 33,754 acres, at a rent of ^237 gs. 3d. These lands comprised, among others, the townlands of Glasnamullen, Ballinastoe, Shraghmore, and Clohoge. Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe lie contiguous to the original Powerscourt Estate, Shraghmore being beyond and to the south of Ballinastoe, Clohoge being to the west, comprising the lake called Luggala, a corruption of the ancient Irish name signifying "The Lake of the Shadows."

    When I came of age in 1857 it was proposed to my guardians and to myself that I should purchase the townlands of Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe, the latter being the property of Major William Beresford, well known in Parliamentary circles in those days as W. B., from letters which he used to write on political subjects over that signature. Luggala also was to be purchased from Colonel David Latouche, Colonel of the Dublin Militia, and one of the old Huguenot banking firm in Dublin of " Latouche and Co.," one of the numerous families who settled in Ireland after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. It was also proposed to purchase Shraghmore and one or two townlands beyond, but that was abandoned, and it was only the first two named and Luggala (Clohoge) which were added to the Powerscourt Estate at that time. These had all been " Bishops' land," but had with lapse of time got into the hands of several different proprietors. In the case of the two townlands there were large mountain grazings attached to the lowland farms, fed by sheep belonging to the tenants.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 118

30. Grant of Benburb Castle and Manor, County Tyrone

    Benburb · townland · Tyrone · 1610

    In 1610 King James I granted Sir Richard Wingfield the Castle and town of Benburb along with adjacent lands in County Tyrone, erected into the manor of Benburb subject to the plantation of Ulster.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    " VIII. — 24. Grant from the King to Sir Richard Wingfikld, knt., marshal of the Army — Tyrone Co. In Dungannon Bar. The Castle and town of Benhurbe and other lands adjacent; Benburbe otherwise Faiegh, Moyar, Tullydoney, Fedulla, Dromcoose, each being ^ Balliboe; Lemneagh, | bal.; Sessioghmagerrill, ^ bal. ; Kilfeddy, ^ bal.; Lismelgedan, t bal.; Lisduffe, Cormagh, Killnegrewe, Lisegatt, Cooledorrough, Currinbeg, each being \ bal.; Lisnecroigh, | bal.; Garvaghie, ^ bal. ; Drumflugh, Dirivanan, Lisbane, Dirripubble, each \ bal. ; Kilgobbane, \ bal. ; Macemore, \ bal.; Dromy, | bal.; Garvaghie, \ bal.; Tirescolbe, Dirricreeny, Carrowbegg, Quiggilie, Croobanagh, Sawnaghanroe, Carealman, each 1 bal. ; Taunagh, \ bal. ; Taghcawsannagh, £ bal. ; Corr, Broghatoy, Dromonowtra, Crewe, Sierly, each 1 bal.; Dromshraghad, 2 bal.; Millicarnan, Mnllidaly, Doonsirke, Coolekerin, Dromgoole, Dromonyeghtra, each 1 bal. ; Shanmoigh, Roane, Colchill, and Boallane, each \ bal. — in all 2000 a. The premises are erected into the manor of Benburbe, with 600 a. of a demesne and a court-baron. Total rent £16 English. To hold for ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, in common soccage, subject to the condition of the plantation of Ulster. 3 Dec, 8th year."

    Patent Roll, 13 James I., Part III. 17 May 1615.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 116

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1610, King James the First granted Sir Richard Wingfield the castle and town of Benburb and the lands adjacent to it in County Tyrone. Wingfield was a knight and marshal of the army. The grant named the lands one by one, from Moyar and Tullydoney to Dromcoose, Lemneagh, Lisduffe, and many more, two thousand acres in all. The king erected these premises into the manor, with six hundred acres of demesne and a court-baron. The total rent was sixteen pounds English. The grant was to hold for ever, as of the Castle of Dublin, in common soccage, subject to the condition of the plantation of Ulster. The patent roll records the date as the third of December, in the eighth year of the king's reign. A later entry on the roll dates to the seventeenth of May, 1615.

31. Land dispute ended by 1858-9 estate purchase

    Ballinastoe · townland · Wicklow · 1858–1859

    Major William Beresford and Colonel Latouche sold their estates including Ballinastoe to the author, ending decades of boundary lawsuits between 1858 and 1859.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    the negligence of the person who managed his Lordship's affairs at that time, he being himself in France, the said William Sheil obtained a verdict at the Wicklow Assizes 1753. In pursuance of such verdict William Sheil and his assigns were suffered to hold possession since that time, but the Right Hon. Georoe Ponsonby, who succeeded William Sheil, supposed that his land extended to the Cruckan Pond ana Cruckan Brook, and claimed it as part of the townlands of Glasnamullen and Ballinastoe in 1815." And so the rival claims went on. It is no use pursuing the matter further. At the time of my coming of age in 1857, the lands, as far at all events as Ballinastoe was concerned, were in the hands of Major William JBeresford, who probably inherited from the Ponsonbvs, and Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche sold their estates to me, and thereby obliterated the disputed boundaries and the lawsuits in 1858-9. Thus all arguments by gentlemen of the long robe over these mountains ceased, and the onlv voices now heard upon them are those of the beaters driving the grouse, and the only money now spent there goes into their pockets instead of into the denizens of the Four Courts in Dublin — a much happier state of things — and now there is a lasting peace on the former scenes of strife on the old Wicklow Hills !

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 120

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Ballinastoe, a long land dispute finally ended. The trouble went back to 1753, when William Sheil won a verdict at the Wicklow Assizes. The lord whose affairs were in question was away in France, and the man managing things for him had been negligent. Sheil and those after him held possession from that time on. Then in 1815, the Right Honourable George Ponsonby, who had succeeded William Sheil, claimed his land reached as far as Cruckan Pond and Cruckan Brook, as part of Glasnamullen and the lands here. The rival claims went on from there. By 1857, when the author came of age, these lands were in the hands of Major William Beresford, who had likely inherited from the Ponsonbys. In 1858 to 1859, Major Beresford and Colonel Latouche sold their estates to the author. That sale wiped out the disputed boundaries and ended the lawsuits. The arguments of lawyers over these mountains stopped. The only voices heard on them now, the author wrote, are those of the beaters driving the grouse, and the only money spent there goes into their pockets instead of to the denizens of the Four Courts in Dublin. A lasting peace settled on the old Wicklow Hills.

32. Manor of Benburb granted to Wingfield and later sold

    Benburb · townland · Tyrone · 1618–1881

    James I bestowed the lands of the Manor of Benburb, co. Tyrone, upon Wingfield in addition to the Powerscourt estate and Viscount title; the author records that these lands were later sold under the Irish Land Acts.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Under his command Sir Richard began his distinguished military career, which led to his being appointed Knight-Marshal of Ireland, and receiving a grant of Powerscourt from Queen Elizabeth. This was confirmed to him by James I., who, in addition, bestowed upon him the rank of Viscount, and, besides the Powerscourt estate, granted to him the lands of the Manor of Benburb, co. Tyrone, and the Manor of Wingfield, co. Wexford. These two Manors have been sold by me under the Irish Land Acts of 1 88 1 and subsequent Acts.

    Ac his death, leaving no direct heir, the title lapsed, and a cousin inherited his property. Two generations later, in 1665, the title was revived by Charles II., only to become again extinct for a like reason. The Patents of both, as well as the deeds of grant of the lands at both periods, are in the possession of the present owner at Powerscount.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Benburb, James I granted these lands to Sir Richard Wingfield. Sir Richard had served as Knight-Marshal of Ireland, and already held Powerscourt, a grant from Queen Elizabeth that James confirmed. In addition, the king gave him the rank of Viscount, and besides the Powerscourt estate, granted him the lands of the Manor of Benburb in County Tyrone, and the Manor of Wingfield in County Wexford. The author records that these two Manors were sold by him under the Irish Land Acts of 1881 and subsequent Acts. At Wingfield's death, leaving no direct heir, the title lapsed, and a cousin inherited his property. Two generations later, in 1665, the title was revived by Charles II, only to become extinct again for the same reason. The patents of both, and the deeds of grant of the lands at both periods, remained in the possession of the owner at Powerscourt.

33. Manor of Wingfield granted and later sold

    Wingfield · townland · Wexford · 1618–1881

    The Manor of Wingfield, co. Wexford, was likewise granted to Richard Wingfield by James I, and was later sold by the author under the Irish Land Acts of 1881 and subsequent acts.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Under his command Sir Richard began his distinguished military career, which led to his being appointed Knight-Marshal of Ireland, and receiving a grant of Powerscourt from Queen Elizabeth. This was confirmed to him by James I., who, in addition, bestowed upon him the rank of Viscount, and, besides the Powerscourt estate, granted to him the lands of the Manor of Benburb, co. Tyrone, and the Manor of Wingfield, co. Wexford. These two Manors have been sold by me under the Irish Land Acts of 1 88 1 and subsequent Acts.

    Ac his death, leaving no direct heir, the title lapsed, and a cousin inherited his property. Two generations later, in 1665, the title was revived by Charles II., only to become again extinct for a like reason. The Patents of both, as well as the deeds of grant of the lands at both periods, are in the possession of the present owner at Powerscount.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is the land once called the Manor of Wingfield. Sir Richard Wingfield began his military career and was appointed Knight-Marshal of Ireland. Queen Elizabeth granted him Powerscourt, and James I confirmed that grant, gave him the rank of Viscount, and besides the Powerscourt estate granted him the Manor of Benburb in county Tyrone and the Manor of Wingfield in county Wexford. The author writes that these two manors have been sold by him under the Irish Land Acts of 1881 and subsequent Acts. At Richard's death, leaving no direct heir, the title lapsed, and a cousin inherited his property. Two generations later, in 1665, Charles II revived the title, only for it to become extinct again for the same reason. The patents of both, and the deeds of grant of the lands at both periods, remain in the possession of the present owner at Powerscourt.

34. Old Fever Hospital Converted into Agent's Office at Enniskerry

    Enniskerry · town · Wicklow

    The author obtained the old fever hospital at Enniskerry, which had become redundant once patients were treated at the workhouse instead, and converted it into an estate agent's office with a residence for the clerk above.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    It was very inconvenient having the agent and tenants always about the yard near the house. The opportunity occurred for the removal of the agent's office to Enniskerry by my getting possession of the old fever hospital which became useless, the patients now being treated at the workhouse. I converted this old fever hospital into a very convenient agent's office, with a residence for the clerk in the upper floor, so that all the business of the estate is carried on there. The laundry having been built and these other arrangements made, I proceeded to build new farm offices, with residence for the farm steward and other accommodation for farming, on the site of the old haggard ; these buildings were constructed in 1872 by a loan from the Board of Public Works.

    That gave me all the buildings in the yard vacant, and enabled me to rearrange the stables and the offices of the house. The old farmyard was converted into stables and coach-houses, as stated above. The doors of these houses formerly opened on the north side into the yard, but I reversed the doors and made them open to the south, which made the stable-yard a private enclosure with only one entrance, by the iron gate, which is locked at night. The old duck-pond was filled up and the fowl-yard, etc., removed, and this unsanitary arrangement abolished and replaced by the laundry green.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 65

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Enniskerry in Wicklow, there is a building that once served a very different purpose. It was a fever hospital, built to isolate and treat the sick. But the patients stopped coming here once they were treated at the workhouse instead, and the hospital became redundant. The author of this account, the estate owner, saw his chance. He had found it very inconvenient having the agent and tenants always about the yard near the house, and he wanted the agent's office moved out to Enniskerry. So he took possession of the old fever hospital and converted it into a convenient agent's office, with a residence for the clerk on the upper floor. From then on, all the business of the estate was carried on there, away from the house and yard. With the agent gone from the yard, he was able to rearrange the stables and the offices of the house. He reversed the stable doors so they opened to the south instead of the north, making the stable-yard a private enclosure with only one entrance, by an iron gate that was locked at night. The old duck-pond was filled up, the fowl-yard removed, and what he called this unsanitary arrangement was replaced by the laundry green. In 1872 he built new farm offices on the site of the old haggard, with a residence for the farm steward, funded by a loan from the Board of Public Works.

35. Stone eagle erected on the Enniskerry entrance gate

    Enniskerry · town · Wicklow · 1873

    A stone eagle surmounting the arch of the main entrance gate at Enniskerry was executed for Lord Powerscourt by Mr. Kirk of Dublin in 1873. It remains a distinctive feature of the demesne's principal approach.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    On the main entrance gate at Enniskerry there is a stone eagle, which surmounts the arch. This was executed for me by Mr. Kirk of Dublin in 1873,

    In the garden, at each side of the gate at the west end, are four busts of the four great Italian masters, Michael Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Benvenuto Cellini, and Raphael. These are copies of those in the Vatican,.; executed for me by Mr. Alexander Macdonald at Rome in 1878. The marble pedestals I bought from an old garden near London.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 75

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Enniskerry, a stone eagle surmounts the arch of the main entrance gate to Powerscourt. It was executed for Lord Powerscourt by Kirk of Dublin in 1873. In the garden at each side of the gate at the west end are four busts of Italian masters, Michael Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Benvenuto Cellini, and Raphael. These are copies of those in the Vatican, executed by Alexander Macdonald at Rome in 1878. The marble pedestals came from an old garden near London.

36. The ancient rath known as 'the moat'

    Powerscourt Demesne · townland · Wicklow

    An ancient rath, now planted with trees and known as 'the moat,' stood near the old drive; a line of old beech trees nearby stood in what was evidently an old hedgerow near a herd's house and garden.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The demesne was in those days divided into small fields or paddocks, probably for the horses, and there was a herd's house with a large enclosed garden, near where the line of old beech trees still stand, near the " moat," which were evidently in an old hedgerow. The drive from the main avenue, after leaving the spiked gate opposite the old churchyard, used to go straight up the hill to the east corner of the " moat," an ancient rath now planted with trees ; it then turned to the north-east, leading to the Kilmolin Gate. This was a very indirect road, ascending the hill where

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 89

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is an ancient rath, now planted with trees and known as the moat. The old drive from the main avenue used to leave the spiked gate opposite the old churchyard and go straight up the hill to the east corner of the moat, then turn north-east towards the Kilmolin Gate. It was a very indirect road, ascending the hill. Nearby, a line of old beech trees still stands where a hedgerow once ran, close to a herd's house with a large enclosed garden. The demesne was then divided into small fields or paddocks, probably for the horses.

37. Manor of Wingfield Established in County Wexford

    Annagh · townland · Wexford · 1618

    In 1618 King James I granted Sir Richard Wingfield extensive lands in County Wexford, erected into the manor of Wingfield, with rights to a court-leet, court-baron, free warren, and an annual fair at Annaghes on 24 August.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    " V. — 9. Grant to Rich. Wingfield, knt., marshal of the armv and a privv councillor in Ireland — Wexford Co. The towns and lands of Ballyda and Kilcashell, 35 a., and Bealaskeneskorry and Barnedom, 40 a., both in or near the territory of Kinshelagh; Annaghesand Raheneshioge, 32 a. ; Mongandallowe, 52 a.; Monganimoregan, 40 a.; Bolyany and Bolinecatty, 89 a.; Bolinvard, t20 a.; Curranebrocke, 250 a. ; Ballinebarne, 350 a. ; Loggan, 230 a. ; Commerduff, 100 a. ; 14/17 of the town and lands of Tomoch and Tomecoyle, 120 a., adjoining Annaghes ; a moiety of Ballygullen and Loiran, noa., all in or near the territory of Kilcheele. To hold, as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and common soccage, by fealty only ; rent s£ 1 1 4s. 8d. Ir. The premises to be the manor of Wingfield with 800 a. of demesne land, power to alienate to persons not mere Irish in blood or surname; to hold, as of the manor of Wingfield, by free and common soccage and suit of court. A court-leet and view of frank-pledge to be held by a seneschal appointed by Wingfield; a court-baron once in the month, with jurisdiction to the amount of 40s., with the profits, fines, and forfeitures thereof ; free warren and park to the extent of 50 a., an annual fair at Annaghes on 24 Aug. and the day following, unless the 24 Aug. be on Saturday or Sunday, in which case the fair is to be held on the Monday and Tuesday following, with a court of pie-powder and all rights and customs to a fair or market pertaining ; to hold, as of the Castle of Dublin, in free and common soccage, by fealty only ; no rent reserved. Grantee to erect a stone or brick castle or mansion-house within three years, on pain of ^50 Irish. Reservation of right to cut timber, and clause against demises to the mere Irish. 27 May, 1 6th year."

    *34

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 114

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, close to Annagh, King James the First granted Sir Richard Wingfield a great stretch of Wexford land in the year 1618. Wingfield was marshal of the army and a privy councillor in Ireland, and on the 27th of May, in the sixteenth year of the king's reign, these lands were erected into the manor of Wingfield. The grant was vast. It named Ballyda and Kilcashell, Bealaskeneskorry and Barnedom, Annaghes and Raheneshioge, Mongandallowe, Monganimoregan, Bolyany and Bolinecatty, Bolinvard, Curranebrocke, Ballinebarne, Loggan, Commerduff, parts of Tomoch and Tomecoyle adjoining Annaghes, and a moiety of Ballygullen and Loiran. The demesne land alone ran to 800 acres. Wingfield was to hold these lands from the Castle of Dublin, in free and common soccage, by fealty only, with an Irish rent of 1 pound, 4 shillings, and 8 pence. He had power to sell or grant the land, but only to persons not "mere Irish in blood or surname." The manor came with courts. A court-leet and view of frank-pledge, held by a seneschal Wingfield appointed. A court-baron once a month, with jurisdiction up to 40 shillings, and all the profits, fines, and forfeitures that went with it. He had free warren and a park of 50 acres. And there was to be a fair each year on the 24th of August and the day following. If the 24th fell on a Saturday or Sunday, the fair shifted to the Monday and Tuesday after. With it came a court of pie-powder and all the rights and customs belonging to a fair or market. Wingfield had three years to build a stone or brick castle or mansion-house on the land, or pay 50 pounds Irish. The king reserved the right to cut timber, and there was a clause against leasing to the mere Irish.

38. Old Powerscourt Church bell dated 1723

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1723–1743

    A workmen's bell hanging on the old barn was originally the bell of the old Church at the end of the Terrace, inscribed with churchwardens' names and the date 1723. Edward Wingfield, named on the bell, was father of Richard Wingfield, created Viscount Powerscourt in 1743.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Edward Wingfield, Esa. John Burton, Isaac Harrison Churchwardens, 1723.

    Edward Wingfield was the father of Richard Wingfield, who was created Viscount Powerscourt in 1743. See the Preface.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 66

    As the companion tells it

    In Powerscourt, there is a bell dated 1723, with the names of churchwardens Edward Wingfield, John Burton, and Isaac Harrison. Edward Wingfield was the father of Richard Wingfield, created Viscount Powerscourt in 1743.

39. O'Tooles hold Powerscourt through the Wars of the Roses

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1455–1487

    The O'Tooles certainly possessed Powerscourt during the long period when the Wars of the Roses weakened English control of Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    early time retained their castle is not known. Archbishop Alan found the O'Tooles, probably the Bishop of Glendalough's early tenants (corbes), back again in possession. But the fact that Eustace, afterwards Viscount Baltinglass, is also called Power (or Pour), suggests that the Powers migrated from Powerscourt, or were driven out to another part of the country. But it is stated in the Calendar of State Papers for 1296, that Eustace le Poer was allowed to have six stags and six hinds in the Royal forest of Powerscourt,* so that the Crown must have asserted some rights over the Bishop's land. The O'Tooles, however, certainly possessed the place during the long period when the Wars of the Roses made the English control of Ireland so weak and inefficient.

    About 1520, Gerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, was encouraged by the King to attack the wild tribes in the mountains (not yet known as the co. Wicklow). He did so, and took the country reaching from the present Bray inland, apparently fortifying Fassaroe and Powerscourt, which he held against them. No doubt he rebuilt and strengthened Powerscourt, which it was the policy of the Irish to destroy, for their warfare, since the introduction of cannon, was not to hold forts, then easily reduced, but to carry on guerilla warfare in the woody and difficult country which they knew so well.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    The parish of Powerscourt lies along this road. For much of the fifteenth century, during the long Wars of the Roses, the O'Tooles held this place. English control of Ireland had grown weak, and the O'Tooles, who had probably been the early tenants of the Bishop of Glendalough, were back in possession. How they first came and kept their castle here is not known. Archbishop Alan recorded their return. The Powers, who had given the place its name, seem to have gone elsewhere. Eustace, later Viscount Baltinglass, was also called Power, or Pour, which suggests the Powers either migrated or were driven out to another part of the country. In 1296, the Calendar of State Papers notes that Eustace le Poer was allowed six stags and six hinds in the Royal forest of Powerscourt, so the Crown still claimed some rights over the Bishop's land. Around 1520, Gerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, attacked the tribes in the mountains, which were not yet called county Wicklow. He took the country reaching inland from Bray, fortifying Fassaroe and Powerscourt against them. He likely rebuilt and strengthened Powerscourt. It was Irish policy to destroy such forts, since the introduction of cannon made them easy to reduce. Their warfare was guerrilla fighting in the wooded, difficult country they knew well.

40. River diverted at Bahana to make way for the new road

    Bahana · townland · Wicklow · 1892

    At Bahana, near the deer-park gate, the course of the river had to be turned to give room for the new road being constructed through the valley.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    At one point at Bahana, not far from the deer-park gate, we had to turn the course of the river to give room for the road. At that time we only took in a narrow strip on each side of the road which is bounded by the river ; but since that time (about 1892) I arranged with the tenants to obtain possession of the woody bank on the Ballinagee side, which now forms part of the demesne, and enables one to consider the whole valley as a private ground.

    These bottoms are very useful in winter for sheltering sheep, when brought down from the mountains in severe weather. Having laid out the road — which was done in the years 1867, 1868, and 1869, it taking three years to do— I then planted it all the way from Dudley's Wood up to the gate near the deer-park with various trees — Conifer ce and other ornamental trees in avenues, and also in groves all along the road — Araucarias, Abies Douglasii, Thuja Gigantea, Picea Nobilis, Cupressus Macrocarpa, Cedrus Allantica, Picea Nordmanniana, and others.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, at Bahana, not far from the deer-park gate, the course of the river had to be turned to give room for the road. At the time, only a narrow strip was taken in on each side of the road, which is bounded by the river. This was about 1892. After that, arrangements were made with the tenants to obtain possession of the woody bank on the Ballinagee side, which then formed part of the demesne, and made it possible to consider the whole valley as private ground. These bottoms are very useful in winter for sheltering sheep, when brought down from the mountains in severe weather. The road itself was laid out in 1867, 1868, and 1869, taking three years to complete. After the road was laid out, it was planted all the way from Dudley's Wood up to the gate near the deer-park with various trees, conifers and other ornamental trees in avenues and also in groves all along the road. Among them were Araucarias, Abies Douglasii, Thuja Gigantea, Picea Nobilis, Cupressus Macrocarpa, Cedrus Atlantica, and Picea Nordmanniana.

41. Stone for the Perron quarried on the estate at Glencree

    near Glencree · valley · Wicklow

    All the stone used in constructing the grand Perron terrace structure, apart from the basin and Apollo head, was quarried on the Powerscourt estate at Glencree. This connects the built garden feature directly to a local landscape source.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Dublin, afterwards knighted, when Lord Mayor of Dublin, as Sir George Moyers. He had many conferences on the subject with Mr. Penrose in the Octagon Library, especially as to the sun-dial, and he told me afterwards that he never met such a man as Mr. Penrose for figures and calculations. Sir George Moyers was a man of fine figure, some six feet two in height, and he had such a remarkable appearance that he went by the name of " The Duke of Memel," and his son was called " Viscount Scantling." All the stone except the basin and head of Apollo was quarried on the estate, in Glencree. The iron railings which surmount the perron are old German work.

    Shortly after the Franco-German War I was at Homburg, and found in a courtyard the remains of an old balcony, which had graced the central windows of the old Castle, and had for some reason been taken down. I saw that they were of fine wrought-iron work, and a common cast-iron balcony had been put up at the Castle to replace them. I bought the old railings, and, as I intended to place them on the perron, I gave them as a design to Messrs. Brawn and Downing of Birmingham, who adapted the straight part of- them to the purpose, and added the curved portions after the same model, and also designed the central portion from a drawing by Mr. Penrose. They also designed, at the same time, the railing on the boat-house at the lake, and the four large iron seats on the terrace. In the old balcony the gilt leaf-work was only on one side of the railings, so I had it doubled, so that it looks equally well from whichever side it is looked at, and Messrs Brawn and Downing completed the whole.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 77

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through the valley of Glencree, you are passing through the landscape that supplied the stone for the grand perron terrace at Powerscourt. All the stone used in building that structure, apart from the basin and the head of Apollo, was quarried here on the estate. The perron rises as a formal terrace, and its iron railings have their own story. They are old German work. Shortly after the Franco-German War, the writer was at Homburg and found in a courtyard the remains of an old balcony. This balcony had graced the central windows of the old Castle there, and had for some reason been taken down. A common cast-iron balcony had been put up to replace it. He saw that the old railings were fine wrought-iron work, and he bought them. He intended to place them on the perron. He gave them as a design to Messrs Brawn and Downing of Birmingham, who adapted the straight part of them to the purpose and added the curved portions after the same model. They also designed the central portion from a drawing by Mr Penrose. At the same time, they designed the railing on the boat-house at the lake and the four large iron seats on the terrace. In the old balcony the gilt leaf-work had been only on one side of the railings, so he had it doubled, so that it looks equally well from whichever side it is looked at. Messrs Brawn and Downing completed the whole. So the perron stands on stone from this valley and wears ironwork that once hung on a castle in Homburg.

42. Grant in Fee Simple of Powerscourt to Sir Richard Wingfield, 1609

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow · 1609

    In 1609 Sir Richard Wingfield received a grant in fee simple of the ruinous castle and lands of Powerscourt under the Commission of Remedy of Defective Titles.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    " One ruinous castle and divers other messuages and tenements in the town of Powerscourt, and all other lands, tenements, and possessions in the towns and fields of Kilpeter, Kilcolhn, Beanaghbegg, Beanaghmore, Oenagh, Ballicowlye, •■ Templebeacan, Kiltagaran, Cookeston., Anacrew, Kilmolinge, Ballenbrowe, Killeger, .

    APPENDIX.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe

    As the companion tells it

    In 1609 Sir Richard Wingfield received a grant in fee simple of Powerscourt. The record names one ruinous castle and divers other messuages and tenements in the town of Powerscourt, along with lands in the towns and fields of Kilpeter, Kilcolhn, Beanaghbegg, Beanaghmore, and others nearby. It was a Commission of Remedy of Defective Titles.

43. Glencapp Lands Held as Freeholders' Commons

    near Glencree · valley · Wicklow

    Unlike the Byrnes' lands which passed under the Great Seal, the Glencapp lands were never formally taken up but remained held by freeholders. These lands were still held as commons in 1903, embracing parts of several named townlands.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The lands of Glancapp, mentioned on page 125, include the Sugarloaf mountain (ancient name " The Silver Spear," from the white rocks near the summit) and adjacent lands. The owner of the manor of Powerscourt appears to have been entitled to a " Chiefry " over the lands which the inquisition finds to be held of that manor. In the letter from Lord Esmond to Lord Dorchester it is stated that " Sir Edward Wingfield was interested and employed by the freeholders of Glencapp," etc. The Byrnes passed their lands under the Great Seal, but the Glencapp lands were not so passed. These lands therefore appear not to have been taken up, but to have been held by the freeholders of that time, and they are still so held as commons in 1903, embracing parts of the townlands of Ballyremond, Glencormick, Killough, etc.

    Sir William Flower appears to have held certain parts of the lands of Killmacanoge "with the appurtenances," Glancormick, Ballyteskin, Stilebaun,

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 111

    As the companion tells it

    The valley of Glencree carries an old story about lands called Glencapp, which included the Sugarloaf mountain, known in ancient times as The Silver Spear, from the white rocks near its summit. The owner of the manor of Powerscourt was entitled to a chiefry over lands that an inquisition found to be held of that manor. In a letter from Lord Esmond to Lord Dorchester, it was stated that Sir Edward Wingfield was interested and employed by the freeholders of Glencapp. The Byrnes passed their lands under the Great Seal, but the Glencapp lands were not so passed. They appear never to have been taken up, but to have remained held by the freeholders of that time, and they were still so held as commons in 1903, embracing parts of the townlands of Ballyremond, Glencormick, Killough, and others. Sir William Flower held certain parts of the lands of Killmacanoge, with the appurtenances, Glencormick, Ballyteskin, Stilebaun.

44. Sale of the Manor of Wingfield to Tenants

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1895–1896

    The manor of Wingfield in County Wexford was held by the Wingfield family from its 1618 grant until Lord Powerscourt sold it in 1895-6 to the tenants under the Land Act of 1881.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The manor of Wingfield, co. Wexford, was held by the Wing-fields until I sold it in 1895-6 to the tenants under the Land Act of 1881.

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 115

    As the companion tells it

    Around Wexford here, the manor of Wingfield was held by the Wingfield family from its grant in 1618 until Lord Powerscourt sold it in 1895 to 1896 to the tenants under the Land Act of 1881.

45. The Bull Park enclosure demolished for the Ladies' Meadow

    Powerscourt Demesne · townland · Wicklow

    An enclosure called the 'Bull Park,' with a stone wall, shed, and slated roof, once stood near the entrance gate and was likely inhabited by a labourer who tended stock there. The author demolished the buildings and threw the enclosures into the Ladies' Meadow.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    there was no necessity, so I obliterated all the old fences and hedgerows and altered the road, leading it up the hollow straight to the gate on a line nearly on level ground. There was also on this line, near the entrance-gate, an enclosure with a stone wall round it and a stone shed with a slated roof, which was called the " Bull Park." The herd's house was probably inhabited by the labourer who looked after the stock in the " Bull Park."

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 90

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Powerscourt Demesne, there was once an enclosure near the entrance gate, with a stone wall round it and a stone shed with a slated roof. It was called the Bull Park. A labourer who looked after the stock probably lived there. The old fences and hedgerows were obliterated, the road altered, led up the hollow straight to the gate on level ground. The Bull Park was thrown into what became the Ladies' Meadow.

46. Tinnehinch and the 'Undivided Commons' with Lord Monck

    near Tinnehinch · townland · Wicklow · 1815–1903

    The Down Survey notes that Tinnehinch was part of the old townland of Ballylorane, now Ballyornan. Lands connected to Sir Edward Wingfield and Sir William Flower became so intermixed that they are described in Powerscourt estate maps of 1815 as 'Undivided Commons between Lord Powerscourt and Lord Monck'.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Kilmurry, Callcra, Kilcrony, Ballyornan, Tinnehinch, and others as mentioned in the Down Survey, and there may have been an assignment from Sir William Flower to the ancestor of a lady named Hitchcock, who appears to have brought these lands into the family of Lord Monck, but of this I have no further knowledge except that they were the property of Sir William Flower. In the Down Survey a note is made that Tinnehinch was part of the townland of Ballvlorane, the old name, now Ballyornan, and perhaps that townland included Lord Monck's present demesne of Charleville; 126 acres of Ballylorane are returned in the Down Survey, under Powerscourt parish, as belonging to Sir Edward Wingfield. The properties of Sir Edward Wingfield and Sir William Flower appear to have been very much mixed up, and it is still the case at the present day. These lands are partly commons, and the freeholders are still there, or their descendants. They have always gone by the name of " Undivided Commons between Lord Powerscourt and Lord Monck," and are so described in the maps of the Powerscourt estate made by William Armstrong in 1815, and in the maps of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland. The freeholders, of course, pay no rent to me or to Lord Monck, but we have to pay our proportion of the Poor-rate, so that it is not a very lucrative estate !

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 112

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here lies a stretch of land once known as undivided commons. The Down Survey noted that Tinnehinch was part of Ballylorane, the old name for what is now Ballyornan, and perhaps that place included Lord Monck's demesne of Charleville. The Down Survey returned 126 acres of Ballylorane under Powerscourt parish as belonging to Sir Edward Wingfield. Other lands here were the property of Sir William Flower, who may have made an assignment to the ancestor of a lady named Hitchcock, who appears to have brought these lands into the family of Lord Monck. The properties of Sir Edward Wingfield and Sir William Flower became so mixed up that they have always gone by the name, in the words of the Powerscourt estate maps made by William Armstrong in 1815, of "Undivided Commons between Lord Powerscourt and Lord Monck." The Ordnance Survey of Ireland used the same description. These lands are partly commons, and the freeholders, or their descendants, are still there. They pay no rent to either lord, but both lords must pay their proportion of the Poor-rate, so it is not a very lucrative estate.

47. Inquisition at Newcastle-Magenagan on Manor of Powerscourt Bounds, 1610

    Newcastle · town · Wicklow · 1610

    An inquisition taken at Newcastle-Magenagan in County Wicklow in 1610 established the extent of the manor of Powerscourt and settled disputes over lands held under Phelomy O'Toole, formerly lord of the manor.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Commission directed to Robert Reade and Robert Caddell of Mooretown in Dublin County, and dated 15 February 8 Jac. I. The Inquisition thereon, taken at Newcastle- Magenagan in Wicklow County, 16 March 1610, by the Jurv finding that the manor of Powerscourt extends in the plains and hamlets of Powerscourt, Kilmullin, Kilpeter, Kilcolin,* Bennagbeg, Bennaghmore,f Owenagh, Ballycortell, Templebegan,J Kilgarran,f Cookestown, Anytrewye, Ballynebrowie, Killeger, le Manister,J Lackendarragh,* Barnemeare,* le Cronie,* Ballvnegewgh,* Ballynecahill, and the Park.f That the lands above named marked thus * are in the possession of divers persons, by agreement between them and Phelomy O'Toole, lately lord of the manor of Powerscourt; that the lands thus marked f are in the possession of Patrick McMorrogh, Cahir McHugh, Donogh McWilter, Philip McShane, Dermot McMorrogh, Terence Voye, and Machowin Boy, bv agreement, as aforesaid ; those marked thus J are in the possession of Donald Ballach, Maurice Boye, Edward McShane, Gerald McShane, Terence McGilpatrick, Cahir McGerald, Terence Bane, Terence Duffy, and Donell McGilpatricke, by agreement. That as to the bounds of Fercolin, the Jury refers to letters of Henrv VITL, and of the Privy Council of Ireland, dated 23 Jan. 32nd of his reign. Petition of Tirlagh McGilpatricke and others against the preceding return. Answer of the Commissioners to the foregoing petition. Depositions of witnesses examined on interrogatories arising out of said Petition. Writ to secure Sir Richard Wingefield, Knt., in the quiet possession of the Mannester.

    Amongst the Chancery Inquisitions for the county of Wicklow1 we find the following in the 9th James I..:—

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 104

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Newcastle, where in March 1610 a jury sat to settle the bounds of the Manor of Powerscourt. Commissioners Robert Reade and Robert Caddell had been directed to take the inquisition, and the jury laid out the manor's reach across a long list of plains and hamlets, from Powerscourt itself through Kilmullin, Kilpeter, Kilcolin, Ballycortell, Kilgarran, Cookestown, and many more. The jurors found that several of these lands were held by various people under agreements made with Phelomy O'Toole, lately lord of the manor. Others were in the hands of named men like Patrick McMorrogh, Cahir McHugh, and Donogh McWilter, again by agreement with O'Toole. The bounds of Fercolin were referred back to letters of Henry the Eighth and the Privy Council of Ireland. A man named Tirlagh McGilpatricke and others petitioned against the jury's return, which brought depositions from witnesses and a formal answer from the commissioners. A writ went out to secure Sir Richard Wingfield in quiet possession of the Mannester.

48. Sale of Benburb Manor to Sir James Bruce

    Benburb · townland · Tyrone

    The manor of Benburb in County Tyrone was held by the Wingfields until it was sold to Sir James Bruce of Belfast.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The manor of Benburb, co. Tyrone, was also held by the Wingfields until I sold it to Sir James Bruce of Belfast.

    IV.— ACT OF SETTLEMENT: GRANT OF LANDS IN COUNTY

    Internet Archive descriptionhisto00powe, Chapter 116