The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-10-09
tCopyriEht. lslg. By A. d. Jacobson.i

| Vop9Tght Sl3, by A. d. JacobSonl
One of the princely residences in Ire
land-Killarney House, the seat of the
Earl Of Kenmare-was almost completely
destroyed by fire. The mansion was
built at the cost of e2OO,OO only thirty
two years ago. but this vast sum repre-
sents only part OF the loss, many price
less art treasures, including works OF
lingo Jones, being consumed. The fire
originated in a room on the top of the
right wing OF the palace and spread rap
idly. The alarm was raised by a ser
want at 5 o'clock and Lord Kenmare
quickly got into communication with the
police. All the available constabulary
and volunteers were called to quell the
blaze, but within twenty minutes after
the alarm a large part OF the right wing
was ablaze.
The castle water supply proved insult
fcient There were further difficulties
owing to the local hose fittings not coup
ling with those of Lord Kenmare's sup
| ply. Little Roadway could be made in
combating the fire, which by o'clock
had obtained complete mastery of almost
the entire premises. The flames shot up
to height OF sixty feet, and furnished
an impressive sight Everything possi-
BILE was done to control the confiagra-
tourists the world over as one of the
sights of Killarney, soon was a mass of
| ruins
Valuable works of art of a portable
nature, including family portraits, plate,
| light furniture, and books. as well as
priceless works of foreign artists, in the
chapel, were saved, but the principal
furniture, tapestries, the valuable collec-
ton of china and the masterpieces of
I TNfev MAJ Z
mare, Viscount Castlerosse. the Hon. Der
mot Browne. and the Hon. Gerald and
Lady Dorothy Browne took part in the
work OF salvage.
The original Killarney House stood in
the valley. close to the famous lake. but
the late earl decided to erect a new
residence on higher ground, and for
picturesque loveliness the site has no
rival The garden terraces commanded
an unbrOken view of fifteen miles OF the
magnificent Killarney lake and mountain
scenery. The mansion was built of red
brick, in the EliZabethan style, and the in
terror was superb. The luxury OF its fittings
may be estimated from the fact that the
bell handles and such like fancies in the
reception rooms were made out OF the
back covers OF fine old enameled watches.
The diningroom was hung with antique
stamped Spanish leather, and in the great
hall. the family's favOrite sitting ROOM
there were some gorgeous tapestries and
gobelins.
The oak paneled grand staircase led up
to and out Of the hall TO the galleries.
wainsCoted in white carved wood. inlaid
with pictures From the galleries opened
the principal bedrooms and guest cham
bers. each giving a view upon the most
perfect scenery in Ireland
King Edward. when Prince OF Wales,
and King George, when Duke Of York.
were entertained by the late Earl of
Kenmare at Killarney House.
King George OF England has always
had seaman's fondness for making col
lections. One Of the most pleasing of
these is that made by the king OF photo
graphs Of babies. This hobby betrays
his well known affection for children.
The collection contains a number OF child
portraits issued for advertising purposes
by food prOpTietOrS, and furnishes some
comiCal studies Another favOrite hobby
Of his is the collection OF printed matter
about his children. As the king has
five sons and a daughter and the papers
print many paragraphs and pictures
about them. it can easily he understood
that the kings albums are voluminOus
and numerous.
Lord Dunboyne. who died at the family
place in Ireland, held a lucrative Office
for thirty years. He succeeded TO the