Doneraile is a small village in North County Cork, known in days gone by as the Gentleman's Village.
The lush, fertile land surrounding it, made the area a magnet for the landed gentry of Ireland.
Today we are going to take a snowy tour of Doneraile Park, the once stately home of the St. Leger family and Lord Viscount Doneraile.
Maureen, a reader of my blog,who lives in Doneraile, graciously shared some of her wonderful photos for this post today. There was plenty of snow in Cork and Kerry last week and Maureen seized the opportunity to capture some magnificent shots.
Table of Contents
Where is Doneraile?
Doneraile is only a few miles from Glenanaar where my father was born. I spent many summers in this area, so it forms an important part of my childhood memories of Ireland.
Here is an extract from SLATER’S NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF IRELAND 1846 FOR DONERAILE, COUNTY CORK:
"The neighbourhood is studded with numerous seats of the gentry;among these, the most conspicuous is Doneraile Park,distinguished by its extent and beauty; and the mansions, ahandsome and substantial edifice, seated on an eminence, is theoccasional residence of Lord Viscount Doneraile."
Home of the St. Leger Family
Lord Viscount Doneraile resided here intermittently, obviously living in England most of the time, in typical absentee landlord fashion.
His Irish estate was truly magnificent, with the "big house", Doneraile Court, built on a slope overlooking the Awbeg River.
The estate landscaping was on a grand scale with the house as center piece.
Spectacular vistas radiate out across the great lawn towards the river, which was ponded with weirs to create large pools of water.
Groves of trees were planted to highlight scenic landscapes.
Lord Viscount Doneraile
Lord Viscount Doneraile was a member of the Norman family, the St. Legers who accompanied William the Conqueror to England from France. Sir Anthony St. Leger was first sent to Ireland by Henry VIII to oversee dissolution of the Irish monastries.
In 1636 his descendent purchased vast lands in Doneraile for the sum of 300 pounds, which probably was equivalent to millions of today's euros or dollars.
Today Doneraile Park consists of 400 acres. Its sweeping landscapes are an enduring reminder of long past aristocratic grandeur.
Historic demesnes reflect a bleak era for the Irish people, but today the wheel has turned full circle, with many old homes and gardens converted to public parks.
Today regular Irish people enjoy the beauty of Doneraile Wildlife Park, walking the paths and woodlands created by their former landlords, and occasionally bumping into the resident deer.
The old residence remains closed with only the gardens open to the public. The house will open at some point in the future when it is fully restored.
A big thank you to Maureen for sharing her beautiful photographs with us today. Hopefully we can revisit the park in the spring, summer and fall, to see how the landscape changes with the seasons, and once again enjoy the beauty of County Cork.
You'll find many more scenes from Doneraile Wildlife Park in these posts.
Doneraile Park Calendar Giveaway
Irish 2021 Calendar Giveaway Featuring Doneraile Park
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Mary
I love these photos. The grounds look magnificent, in a Downton Abbey sort of way. I can just imagine the lords and ladies of the manor walking these wooded paths. Thank you to your guest photographer for sharing her photos.
Irish American Mom
Mary - Maureen's photos are really lovely. The house and grounds look amazing in the snow. I love the last photo of the deer sheltering under the tree.
All the best,
Mairead
Cheryl Barker
Beautiful photos! I love the first and last especially. Always fun to capture wildlife photos. Great job, Maureen!
Irish American Mom
Cheryl - They really are great wildlife shots. I love how the deer are looking straight at the camera. Maureen told me she got a new camera from her children for her birthday and she has taught herself how to take these wonderful shots. She has a great eye.
All the best,
Mairead
Lisa
I love the photo of the Deer.
Irish American Mom
It is wonderful, Lisa,, especially since you can see the snow falling around them.
Mairead
patrick
the canon sheehan book glenanaar is one of my favourites. reminds me of Nollaig getting lost in the snow!
Irish American Mom
Patrick - When I saw Maureen's photos I thought of that very book and the chapter where Nollaig is lost in the snow on a stormy Christmas Eve. When I was a little girl my grandaunt would always read that chapter of Glenanaar for us coming up to Christmas. I have a copy of the book here in America, and every now and then I take it out and read that very chapter. Thanks so much for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairead
Karl
If anyone would like to see more of Maureen's pictures or just want to know what's going on in Doneraile have a look here. https://www.facebook.com/DoneraileOnline. Great to see her pictures being appreciated across the pond. Well done, Maureen.
Irish American Mom
Karl - Thanks for sharing the link for Doneraile Online on Facebook. I liked your page and will follow along. It is always lovely to see pictures of home, and Maureen's work is just amazing.
All the best,
Mairead
Maureen O' Hanlon
Maureen here from Doneraile in Co. Cork Ireland .Thanks a million for the lovely words about my photos, I got this camera from my 6 children for my birthday last june 12mths and i use it every day in Doneraile park,I didnt do any photography course i just like to do my own thing and when i see something beautiful i snap it, i never run out of beautiful things to snap in Doneraile park, its beautiful there, every day,every week, every month the scenery is constantly changeing, even every hour actually, the tranqulity, the peace and beauty of the park makes my heart sing.And a big thank you to (Irish American Mom) for sharing my photos, and her mouth watering recipies,
Best regards
Maureen
Irish American Mom
Maureen - Thank you for all your wonderful photos. I can't wait to see Doneraile Park when I get back to Ireland this summer. Our family farm is only a few miles from Doneraile, so I will definitely be bringing my kids to play at the park.
All the best, and keep taking those photos.
Mairead
Maureen O' Hanlon
You are very welcome, your children are going to love the park, we have a beautiful childrens playground there, i must send you some pics of it when i find them, looking forward to seeing you, and you will love the new tearooms with all the goodies and refreshments. and the welcome cup of Barry's tea.
Best regards
Maureen
Irish American Mom
Looking forward to seeing you too, Maureen and having a grand chat over a cup of Barry's tea.
Have a lovely weekend.
Mairead
colman
well done on promoting doneraile we need it these days i have abook to promote on the history of doneraile called A Taste Of Doneraile any ideas
Irish American Mom
Hi Colman - Thanks so much for stopping by. Doneraile and its hinterland of North Cork are truly a beautiful corner of this world. I think tourists often pass it by in their rush to get to Kerry. Your book sounds very interesting. If you would like to write a guest post about it for my blog just send me an e-mail - mom@irishamericanmom.com .
All the best,
Mairead
Aideen Mulligan
Just like to say what lovely photos. The St ledgers are actually my grandmothers family and my Dad has great memories of summers spent in Doneraile Court as a child
Irish American Mom
Aideen - What a beautiful spot for your Dad to spend summers as a child. North Cork is a glorious part of Ireland. I love the lush, fertile, green fields, bubbling streams and rivers. I am sure Doneraile Court holds many beautiful memories for your family, and I am glad to see that it is being restored once again, and not being allowed to fall into disrepair. So many of Ireland's splendid buildings and history have fallen into decay, it is nice to see that Doneraile Court will not be amongst them. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your family's deep connection to this beautiful place.
All the best,
Mairéad
Karen St. Leger
Just Beautiful!!
I miss it very much, Lovely photo's
Irish American Mom
Karen - Your ancestral home is truly beautiful, and a wonderful amenity for the people of County Cork. I'm sure you miss it very much, but I hope you get to see it again, every now and then.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Kevin Nolan
Hi Maureen,
My name is Kevin Nolan I work for Cork County Council and we are thinking about using your image for a Christmas Card. Do you have the original hi resoloution images and if so would send them to us and we would credit you as the photographer.
Kevin
Irish American Mom
Sorry I missed this comment Kevin. Maureen, the photographer, has a Facebook page which you could use to contact her. Here's the link ...
https://www.facebook.com/MakeTimeForNature/
Best wishes,
Mairéad