Curraghchase Forest Park

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Curraghchase Forest Park
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Entrance
Map showing the location of Curraghchase Forest Park
Map showing the location of Curraghchase Forest Park
Location Kilcornan, Limerick, Ireland
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 774 acres (3 km2)
Governing body Coillte

Curraghchase is a 774-acre (3 km2) forest park located 20 km from the city of Limerick, between the towns of Adare and Askeaton. The land was formerly owned by poet and critic Aubrey Thomas De Vere.[1]

Archaeology

In the park area there are 8 classified sites; 1 cairn, 2 enclosures, 3 ringforts, 1 standing stone and the 18th century house probably built on the site of Curragh Castle which is mentioned in Desmond Roll.[2]

Environment

The park consists of mainly broadleaf and mixed woodland with some mature conifer stands, parkland with some of the area under water. The woods occur on low limestone ridges. Conservation of rare Yew (Taxus Baccata) core area has also been ongoing together with other conservation initiatives including the development of a new Summer Bat Roost area for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat.[3]

History

Curraghchase House was built in 1657 by Vere Hunt, an officer in Cromwell's army, and remained the home of the De Vere family for over 300 years.[4] The existing house dates from the eighteenth century. Hunt was granted the land, which consisted of 380 acres (1.5 km2) plantation during the Cromwellian plantations. John Fitzgerald originally owned the land.

At this time, the estate was called Curragh. When one of John Hunt's descendants, Aubrey Hunt, changed his surname by Royal License to de Vere in 1833, he also changed the name of the property from Curragh to Curraghchase. Aubrey De Vere married Mary Spring Rice and they had a family of eight, with their son Aubrey being the best known of the family, i.e., famous poet.

The younger Aubrey recalled that the lake at the bottom of the house was rich meadow when he was in his youth. A slender stream divided this meadow. Across the lake a monument to the de Vere family stands on a small hill. Near the house, there is a small cemetery to the de Vere's family pets.

Tennyson spent some time as a guest at Curragh Chase and wrote the poem Lady Clara Vere de Vere to show his close friendship with the family.[5]

The house was accidentally destroyed by fire in December 1941.[6] The grounds at Curraghchase were bought by the State in 1957 and the property is now used as commercial timber. Some of the state forest is used as a public amenity and includes tourist trails, camping and caravan park facilities, which make the area a popular tourist attraction.

Lady of the Lake Legend

On the eastern side of the house is an artificial lake. Historic maps display a Lady's Island within this lake.[7] During a visit, Tennyson told of seeing the mystic arm of the Lady of the Lake thrust above the waters. A century later during a Christmas party at the house, rose a cry of acute anguish and of such force that even above a storm occupants of the room heard it distinctly. Looking out to the lake they saw a figure of a woman, redly aglow as if sheathed and point with arm outstretched, toward Curragh Chase. It was this storm that caused a limb to crash through one of the windows, knocking over candelabra and creating a fire that destroyed the house. On every Christmas Eve thereafter, the burning figure of a woman was seen floating on the waters of the lake.[8]

External links

References

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