The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-21
CASTLE CONFER.
AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE CASTLE"
OF AN IRISH GENTLEMAN.

l A@..N.NAASs
Kilkenny and Its Cnstle-The Home of
the Ormonas-The Colleges of kells-
The Cave Of DunmOre.
Especial Correspondence OF the Democrat
! DUBLIN, March 81, 1878.
After pleasant trip by rail OF q few hours
we reach Athy, an unattractive town. Here
taking jaunting car we proceeded on our
way to
CASTLE CONFER,
q distance OF twelve miles, over a splendid
macadamzed road, hard and smooth as mar
BILE and kept in most thorough repair. The
country on each side seemed like one vast
garden, brilliant with the verdure of early
spring, and exhibiting degree Of skillful
cultivation not seen in the northern and west
ern parts of the island.
Timber being scarce, great deal OF atten-
| ton Is given to its growth every hill and
spot of ground unsuitable to tillage is planted
In forests" which give to the scenery a
charming variety and contrast to the broad
fields and fertile valleys. At last we reach
the village of Castle Conner, one of
the most romantic in Ireland, where
"smilng spring Its earliest visit pays and
parting summers lingering bloom delays"
No Goldsmith has immortalized it's beauty,
and being out OF the usual route of tourists it
must remain in comparative obscurity. 1t is
on the estate of the Wandesford family,
cadet branch OF the great house of Ormond, 80
celebrated in English and Irish history. The
old castle, which stood on the crest of q hill.
was destroyed during the stormy times of 49,
THE PRESENT HALL"
q very spacious, handsome building, of no
particular order of architecture, Is situated
on plain at the base
Nothing can exceed the beauty of its loca-
ton, In the midst OF a lawn, sheltered on
one side by q range of hills wooded to their
Ardera river, branch of the More. In front
flowed a pretty stream spanned by rustic
bridge, over which we passed to the grand
entrance On the right of the hall are the
these are finely finished, exquisitely fur
nished and well lighted by windows extend
ing from floor almost to ceiling. There
are some gems of art in painting and statu-
with the whole appearance OF the rest Of the
hall. Ascending the staircase we find the
rooms ranged in suits on each side of fine
gallery, at right angles to the lower entrance
hal-each suit consisting of three apart
ments, parlor, bedroom and dressng-rOom
The bed -hangiDgs are of satin, the mantels and
tables are ornamented with rare vases, bronzps
and statuettes. Passing down and out to the
rear OF the building, enter an extensive
conservatory. Some Seville orange trees first
attracted my attention; for the moment was
again In Louisiana. The number and variety
Of the plants are quite large including spec
linens from every portion Of the globe. Open
y ing out from this Ia
THE Gymnasium"
and barely visible In the distance stands the
laundry" Across the public road, up
laurel walk, is the sauare-pewed old church,
whose vaults contain the dust of the Wandes-
ford family. There are numerous tablets
between the windows, and one very beautiful
monument to the memory of Lady Anne Or
mond. A few rods from the church is the
domain" 1t Is separated from the lawn of
the Hall" by the road, but connected by
tunnel beneath It, Had Shenstone seen this
place he would have been In raptures, for
Nature and Art seem to vie In rendering it,
} "A apot of earth supremacy blest.
brighter. sweeter spot than all the rest
The river winds through it for three miles i;
from It's banks the ground rises gradually at
first then suddenly shoots upward into q
bold hill, whose summit is adorned with an
artificial lake of considerable size. From this
spot the view Is extensive and beautiful be-
yond description. A well-stocked deer park
kitchen garden and farmyard adjOin the do
main. Turning from these we again reach
the road and pass on to the BRIDGE the river
seen from this point has quite q remarkable
appearance and tranquil before passing
side seems to have been elevated by some
convulsion of nature, so that the water frets
and foams over the rocky bottom
The village is at the intersection of two
houses, commodious stores and an excellent
hotel, at which we will remain for some
days.
To-day we went to see
i. THE BARRACKS,
which are situated on a commanding emf
nence. They are strongly fortified and gar
risoned. The next point OF interest was
KILKENNY,
distant ten miles; turning little aside we
visited "holy well,' once celebrated, but
not much resorted to since the following acct
dent: A woman, having a very cross child,
was advised to dip it seven times in the we'll,
and to say at each immersion, "God stop the
bawling.s She did SO; but, on drawing it up
the last time, struck it's head against pro-
. jecting stone. 1t is needless to add her
prayer was answered.
Farther on Is
THE Gave OF DUNMoRE."
Its entrance would not give promise of any
thing remarkable; but those who have pene-
trated Its windings speak of the great extent
and intricacy OF its passages, sometimes SO
low as to render it necessary to crawl and
again widening into vast galleries. There is
boundary, however, which none dare pass,
clear stream said to be haunted by the
Good People," species of elves capable Of
very. mischievous pranks, and held in great
awe by the superstitious
Kilkenny, on the More, is a considerable
J town, boasting of one of the oldest and finest
cathedrais on the island.
Its castle,
THE HOME OF THE oRMoNDs,
is grand old pile, counting centuries as its
age, but still strong and massive, bearing no
sign OF decay. 1t was quite a disappolnt-
ment not being permitted to see the interior.
Strangers are not taken through it when the
family is home, although during their alb
sence, most OF the year on the Continent, Wis
itors are freely admitted.
Having some spare time we drove to Kells
once the seat of celebrated colleges and
schools, filled with students from ali parts of
Europe, Italy not excepted Nine ruined cas-