Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-08-07

C1omwelFs many acts of vandalism
none is more to be regretted than the
fact that he destroyed one of. the four
unique feature of the structure which
owed it's being to that earl of Pen
broke known as "StrongbOw.'
Many additions have been made to
the castle during the last hundred
years. The most important of these
in a stone corridor where is now
placed the main entrance to the castle,
and through which access to the far
famed diamond hall is obtained. Ehe
hall is hung with splendid stamped
and gilt Spanish leather, and among
other treasures to which it forms a
background sportsmen always regard
with special interest four antlers OF
the now extinct Irish elk.
The grand staircase, Of solid polish
ed Mahogany, is also hung with
Spanish leather and set OF The
ancient tapestries tor which Kilkenny
staircase is the dining room, and mere
some notion can be obtained OF the
extraordinary age OF the structure,
lCr- the embrasures are close On Is
-vec Leep. 1t is IN this Too-- that is
Kept the old plate, including the
unique collection OF cups formerly
used by the sovereign during the cor
Onation banquet in Westminster hall,
and which on each occasion became
The perquisite of the Marquis of
vrmonue, as CHIEF butler OF Ireland.
The picture gallery OF Kilkenny
castle is now used as a supplementary
sitting room by Lord and Lady
CrmOnde and their guests, and /. is
here that some historic royal gamer
ings have taken place. To the con.
roisseur this collection OF paintings
is a veritable delight, for Lord
Ormonde possesses one OF the finest
sets Of old masters in the kingdom, as
we'll as an unrivaled collection OF
family portraits by Lely, Kenel!er
Lawrence and Reynolds. One curious
feature OF the gallery itself is The
marble chimney piece, on which ore
embossed scenes from the history OF
the Butler family.
China enthusiasts naturally prefer
to the art treasures hanging on The
walls the absolutely unique tea-and
coffee service OF old Hague ware, OF
which one piece, when put up fol
public auction, eXcites the hveliest
competition among collectors, owin,s to
the fact that no complete sets, a art
from that existing at Kilkenny castle
I and those IN certain continental royal
palaces, are known to exist
The large drawing room is hung
with that national Irish product, silk
tabourett, very rich kind of poDlin
| OF deep yellow coloring, which throws
up in admirable relief the fine
eighteenth-century cabinet-Frelch
Italian and Spanish-in which are
stored much rare old china In the
drawing room hangs a Madonna and
Child" by COrreggiO and also a
portrait of Vandyck painted by him
self.
| Lord and Lady Ormonde are de
! voted to Kilkenny and there spend g
very considerable portion of eacI
year. Lord Ormonde, as a youns
man, travelled well and widely, and II
his study at the castle are many
sporting trophies of great value and
interest. There also is curious COZ
/ lection of paints of royal personages
presented by the late quen to various
| members of fho Rl1tIar foroilx, for D.. +
connection of Lord and Lady Ormondt
with the court has always been ex
teptionally close. partly owing to the
fact that Lady Ormonde's mother, III,
first duchess of Westminster, was IN,
of Queen Victoria's close persona
friends. Lady Ormonde has otter
entertained royal visitors at Kilkenny
k9