In
1667, Michael Boyle bought for £1,000 the old Norman Lordship of
the Three Castles in west Wicklow, with a royal charter to establish
a new town which
he called Blessington. This was the origin of one of the great Irish landed estates,
which under the Boy,les, Viscounts of Blessington, and the Hills, Marquises of
Downshire, was to survive for nearly two and a half centuries. The Blessington
Estate 1667-1908 is not just a history of these two families. At its heart is
the complex relationship of landlord, agent, middleman and tenant which was to
cast- such a long shadow over Irish life. Meticulously researched, it is written
in a lively readable style that recreates that long-vanished world. It is an
important contribution to the social history of Ireland. Kathy Trant has lived
in the Blessington area for over three decades. The book is the result of her
post-graduate studies.
Size: 215 x 135mm . 240pages . 98 illustrations
Available from local
shops: Texaco; Centra; Maxol; Office Shop; Blessington Tourist Office;
Hennessys; Crauls Foodstore Manor Kilbride. Enquiries to Kathy 01 458
2388. Price €15.99
In
1667, Michael Boyle bought for £1,000 the old Norman Lordship of
the Three Castles in west Wicklow, with a royal charter to establish
a new town which
he called Blessington. This was the origin of one of the great Irish landed estates,
which under the Boy,les, Viscounts of Blessington, and the Hills, Marquises of
Downshire, was to survive for nearly two and a half centuries. The Blessington
Estate 1667-1908 is not just a history of these two families. At its heart is
the complex relationship of landlord, agent, middleman and tenant which was to
cast- such a long shadow over Irish life. Meticulously researched, it is written
in a lively readable style that recreates that long-vanished world. It is an
important contribution to the social history of Ireland. Kathy Trant has lived
in the Blessington area for over three decades. The book is the result of her
post-graduate studies.