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Created: By Daniel A. Beaufort (1739–1821) (August 1788)
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Daniel Augustus Beaufort (1739–1821),1 was the son of Daniel Cornelis de Beaufort, a French Huguenot clergyman who settled in London in the 1720s. He subsequently entered the Church of England, serving as rector of East Barnet where his son, Daniel Augustus, was born. Going to Ireland with the viceroy Lord Harrington in 1747, Beaufort senior became successively rector of Navan, provost of Tuam and finally, rector of Clonenagh, Co. Laois, which post he held until his death in 1788.
Daniel Augustus was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he had conferred on him the degree of LL.D. He took orders, and in succession to his father was rector of Navan (1765–1818). In 1790 he was presented by John Foster, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, to the vicarage of Collon, Co. Louth, where he built a new church and remained until his death. He married Mary, daughter and co-heiress of William Waller of Allenstown, Co. Meath. His elder son, William Louis Beaufort (1771–1849), whose name features in the diary below, became a Church of Ireland clergyman. His younger son was Sir Francis Beaufort (1774–1857), rear admiral and distinguished hydrographer. His daughter Frances became in 1798 the fourth wife of Richard Lovell Edgeworth and the stepmother of the authoress Maria Edgeworth.
Beaufort was a man of many parts. He was prominently involved in the foundation of Sunday schools and in the preparation of elementary educational texts. He is credited, moreover, with a large measure of responsibility for the foundation of the Royal Irish Academy. He is, however, best remembered as a geographer, his most important work being his civil and ecclesiastical map of Ireland which, with an accompanying memoir, was published in 17922 under the patronage of the lord lieutenant, the Marquis of Buckingham. This was considered a valuable contribution to geographical studies of the day, though it is worth noting that the eminent antiquarian John O' Donovan commented scathingly on what he considered its shortcomings, particularly with regard to placenames.
Beaufort intended by on-the-spot observation to remove the defects of existing maps, and his tour of Kerry, which was only part
It may be noted that in addition to his travel diaries Beaufort also kept extensive journals of a more personal nature. The originals of these are today in the Huntington Library of San Marino, California, though microfilm copies are available in Trinity College, Dublin. In addition, the National Library of Ireland holds a quantity of Beaufort correspondence,3 including letters to Daniel Augustus from his future wife and various acquaintances, and also correspondence of his daughters, Harriet and Louisa, and his son William.
Beaufort's diary of his tour of Kerry in 1788 is contained in TCD Mss 4029–30, which also outline the more extensive tour of Ireland which he undertook between 3 July and 17 September of that year. This led him through parts of the north and west to Co. Clare, and thence, via Mallow and Millstreet, Co. Cork, to Killarney. After leaving Kerry via Bantry, he traversed several other parts of Co. Cork, before eventually returning to Dublin. This would seem to have been his first and only systematic tour of Kerry, though he revisited the county, and in 1810 updated some of the earlier entries in his diary.
Beaufort was clearly a methodical and disciplined observer. At the commencement of his journal for 1788 he sets out an elaborate series of objectives which he hoped to achieve in the course of his tour. He proposed to obtain information on a wide range of subjects, including such diverse topics as the quality of the soil in each locality, state of the poor, details of antiquities ‘in anybody's possession’, condition of the corporate boroughs, traditions of the ‘antient Irish’, and names of the Church of Ireland clergy in each parish. Given the limited time and resources at his disposal and his evident lack of contacts outside the rather narrow ambit of Ascendancy Ireland, such a programme would seem to have been somewhat ambitious. A reading even of the Kerry portion of his diary, however, shows that he achieved some degree of success with
A few points should be noted concerning the text. Beaufort's frequent abbreviations of words and, on occasion, entire sentences, have been silently expanded. Where, however, his abbreviations give rise to doubt this is clearly indicated. His occasional arbitrary switches from past to present tense have, where appropriate, been silently amended, and in a few places the order of his sentences has been changed to provide a more logical sequence. In addition, some repetitive or inconsequential material has been silently suppressed. The manuscript includes some marginal notes dated 1810 and a few which are undated. In the case of most of these undated notes it is possible from an examination of the original manuscript to distinguish those which are contemporaneous with the main text from later entries. The former have been silently incorporated at the appropriate points in the main body of the text; the latter are clearly indicated in the footnotes. Finally, the page references of the original manuscript have been incorporated in square brackets in the printed text.
I wish to thank the Knight of Glin for drawing attention to Beaufort's manuscript and the Board of Trinity College, Dublin, for permission to publish it. Dr Pádraig de Brún of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies read the typescript and offered many helpful suggestions. The following also helped: Dr Breandán Ó Cíobháin, An Coimisiún Logainmneacha; Maura Scannell, Head of Herbarium, National Botanic Gardens; Fergus Gillespie and Gerard Long, National Library; Dr Michael Ryan and Mary Cahill, National Museum; Judith Cuppage, Dingle Archaeological Survey; Rev Bartholmew Egan, O.F.M., Franciscan House of Studies, Killiney; Daniel Moriarty, Kenmare; Brian Fitzelle, Ardilaun House, Dublin; Mrs K. Brown and Mrs M. O'Riordan, Kerry County Library; Mrs Valerie McK. Barry, Callinfercy House; Mrs Jane V. Spring, New South Wales, Australia.
{Ms 4029 page 88} August 14
Set out early from Millstreet (at 7) & at 11 1/2 [o'clock] reached Killarney. We had desperate heavy rain. The road is through a dreary but very improveable Mountain. One mile from Killarney are fine oak Woods. The great Inn — Mrs Hamilton's — was full so we went to the second — Coffee's — & were obliged to take lodgings for Mary4 & William5 & me. The Bishop of Limerick's6 visitation was held here this day. He sent to ask me to dinner twice but I did not hear the message till 6 o clock. I went in the evening to see him.
{Ms 4030 page 1}
August 14 Killarney7
We arrived here before twelve & walked a little about the town. After breakfast saw the Church, which is very shabby, & transcribed a curious epitaph that is to be seen there on marble tablets.8 After dinner I waited on the Bishop9 who had sent several messages to ask me to dinner, but which were not delivered to me till 6 o'clock. At 8 I found him still at the bottle. There I met Dean Graves10 & Dr Day11 & Mr Huson12 — old acquaintances. Day promised to introduce me to Lord Kenmare13 tomorrow.
An assembly tonight at our Inn not very numerous but the
[August] 15
Dean Graves breakfasted with us and invited me to go and spend some days at Sackville.18 He offered to introduce me to Lord Kenmare & we {Ms 4030 page 2} walked up there but the family were at prayer. Dr Day went with me after 12 when we were politely received & asked to dine tomorrow. Lord Kenmare shewed [us] a curious Gorget of pure gold, 9 Inches in Diameter, found a few days ago under a rock, as his men were making a road. Weight 4ozs., I hear. The fretted borders are evidently done with a stamp, not with a chisel.19 He asked me to dine tomorrow but I refused the honour to go on
the Water.
My party went out to ride in Lord Kenmare's park & I met them between that & Mucruss, a very pretty ride along the River Flesk, which we crossed on a Bridge of 24 arches,20 then passing by
{Ms 4030 page 4} August 16
The weather still continuing very showery and a large party from Waterford having engaged the great boat & the Regimental Band we were a good while in doubt whether we should follow them in another boat & so hear the Musick, etc. At last it was decided that we should not to on the Water. Mr Caldwell,30 Mr Walsh31 & I paid a visit to Lord Kenmare, where I made a sketch of a gold breastplate found about a month ago under a large rock, as his men were making a new road here. It is 9 Inches in diameter, & 3 broad at bottom, but very thin. Lord Kenmare says it weighs 14 Guineas.
Lord Kenmare assured us that we might stay here long enough before we should find a better day, & insisted on ordering his boat for us to explore the lake. This we could not reject so the boat was got ready, & my two companions & William rode down to Ross Castle32 to embark while Robin33 & I drove on to Mucrus to {Ms 4030 page 5} collect the rest of the party. We drove thro the woods & found them at a stand by a new unfinished bridge. Here with difficulty the Carriages were turned about and we all returned to Mucrus house & at the Quay found our friends who had rowed round.34 From thence we returned to Ross Castle where Mr Newport's postilion had like to be drowned by attempting to water his horse in the lake at a place where the bottom is soft {Ms 4030 page 7} Bog. Wet & tired we got to our Inn at 1/2 past 7 & as soon as we had dined, the ladies went
Lord Kenmare's house is an old plain rough stone building — not lofty but having 13 Windows in front — with very extensive offices as wings on each side. In it are some very good pictures — a beautiful group of elegant figures by Amicdi35 over the Chimney, and a large Vestumnus & Pomona by Sr Peter Lily,36 with his name to it — of more curiosity on account of the painter, than merit from the painting.
His Gardens, of which I saw but little, appear to be in the old stile — fine broad Gravel walks & hedges. There was a canal in the middle but he has long ago converted that to grass. The lake can only be seen from his upper Windows or Garrets.
{Ms 4030 page 8} August 17
Sunday — a delightful fine day. I went to Church where Mr Dunlavy read prayers & Herbert37 preached 12 Minutes without being heard or understood by me. After Church Mrs Young38 & I took an airing thro Lord Kenmare's park, saw his Glynn which is exceedingly beautiful & had from the terras in the park a fine view of the lake etc. In this park stands a large Stone upright which seems to have been the back of a Judgment Seat.
[August] 18
This morning we assembled at 7 1/2 [o'clock] for our grand boating party but the day being extremely wet we sat down to Vingt un39 after breakfast. At Eleven it began to clear up, the boatman urged us to go, & we all drove down to Ross Castle. We were all very conveniently in the Barge of 8 Oars with a part of the band which Col. Jacques of the 51 [st Regiment] {Ms 4030 page 9} lent us, & in
[August] 19
Showery again this morning yet we got to breakfast by 9 & at ten set off for Ross Castle, embarked again in two boats & proceeded to the foot of Glena near Dinas, where a large company was assembled in boats to see a Staghunt, with which O Donoghue42 complimented Mrs Pennyfeather. As soon as we arrived a gun was fired & the hounds laid on. We soon heard their tongue, & by the
The boats dispersed now different ways — we to Innisfallen, where we had a cold dinner prepared, & fared sumptuously after walking round that Beautiful Island & observing the noble trees that adorn it, particularly a vast holly and a great Yew, the former large & lofty as an Oak & measuring 10 feet in circumference44 {Ms 4030 page 13}. While we were here Mr Mahony45 brought over the hunted stag to this Isle in his boat to secure him from the Mountaineers who would have slain him for his hide. He had been hunted once before, the tip of one ear being cut off — & now the tip of each is gone. We passed our time here agreably till near 9 when we returned as before. When we landed at Innisfallen a crowd of apple women & nutsellers etc. were assembled there before us, just as if it were a fair, or rather like the savages coming down to barter with our ships in distant Islands.
[August] 20
Mr Caldwell & Mr Walsh agreed to accompany me to Dingle, etc. & so round to Cork {Ms 4030 page 14}. Mr Caldwell having obtained leave from Mrs Delany to see Mr Herbert's collection of drawings we called on her at her very neat English looking house46 near the lake, & went thence to Mucrus, where we were well entertained for
There are great numbers of Red Deer always in Mucrus who eat up the corn etc. unless it be watched very close, as the Gardener told us. The country hereabouts is, in general, but poorly cultivated.56 Saturday is Market day in Killarney but there are a vast number of hawkers selling things in the street every day — particularly under the Market house — where also our Carriages stood, & we paid a man to watch them every night. Over this Market house is the Ballroom.
In Killarney are quartered, on the town, 2 troops {Ms 4030 page 16} of
[August] 21 To Dingle.
The first 8 Miles [are] well planted & beautiful, affording many fine views of the Lake. We then turn off Norwards thro a dreary country & by a strait road. Slieve na Miss [Slieve Mish] stands in front of us & the two ridges leave an opening for Castlemain harbour. Descending into the Vale which the Maing [Maine] waters, the Country seems rich & capable of great Improvement at a very small Expense.
Milltown, a small markettown 1 mile South West of Castlemain belongs to Sir William Godfrey58 who lives close to it & it is likely to become a thriving place as Sir William told us that to encourage inhabitants he gives them ground to build on rent free for ever.
There are here 3 Saltworks. The Rock salt & all heavy matters are, brought up narrow {Ms 4030 page 17} Channels, like the Welsh pills,59 to within 1/2 a Mile of the Town where there is a quay.60 We saw there a vessel of 70 tons burden discharge her cargo & another taking in Copper Ore from Killarney. They get also by this conveyance great quantities of rich sand filled with Muscles & other shells, from the Peninsula of Inch Island about 8 Miles navigation, with which they manure their land, at the rate of about 10 boat loads to an Acre, & a boatload sells for 6 shillings. But it is also retailed in horseloads for the convenience of the poor.61 The Church stands on the West of the town. Here is also a ruined Abbey,62 of which a long Church only is remaining — remarkable
Mr Caldwell & Mr Walsh on their horses & William & I in my chaise had left Killarney at 8 & came here to breakfast in a very poor Inn. After our Meal we walked {Ms 4030 page 18} about — saw a beautiful wood of 100 acres of Sir William Godfrey's copsed & growing well on the fine round hill. As we returned to our Inn the Baronet came to see us, asked us to stay & dine with him — offered us fruit — & actually detained us half an hour to give us a fine apple. He is member for Tralee.
Castlemain is now a most wretched village, only a few cabbins at each end of a very long bridge over the Maing. On the East side of this bridge are large ruins of a Castle,63 & on the West some also, with several marks in the battlements where the gate that defended this pass antiently stood. A singular situation for a Castle, in the midst of a river in which the tide might bring large vessels. Yet there is a Constable of this Castle with a Salary of 10 sh[illings] per day besides a considerable piece of land near it: Capt Botet,64 who lives at {Ms 4030 page 19} Kinsale, is the present Constable & Sir William Godfrey says it is altogether worth £300 a year.65 In the flats about this river I observed a number of navigable streams that fill with the tide & bring up boats.
[I] observe in this country Wooden Mugs of all sizes neatly turned, with handles of the same piece, a difficult work.66
Here we turn due West with Slieve Miss on our Right which continues under different names such as — [sic] etc. to the head of Donmore. The road runs pleasantly along the harbour of Castlemain which is formed by Inch Island. The river Inch tumbles down a wonderfully rocky channel, thro a gap in the Mountains. Here we leave the coast & turn to the Left {Ms 4030 page 20} Breach Innis on our Right
We soon came to an old house called Hamiltons Inn — worse than any Spanish posada69 — yet kept by a man who lived 14 years coachman to Dr Andrews70 the Provost, & in other elegant houses. It was dark before we reached Dingle & took up our lodgings in a very poor dirty inn, kept by Alexis Moriarty.71 I sent Lady Anns72 letter to Mr Hicksons,73 but {Ms 4030 page 21} he was gone to Tralee. However, his Wife 74 invited me to sleep there which I declined.
[August] 22
Having come in so late it was near two before we got to bed last night. We rose late therefour this very wet morning. We could not get a ride it rained & blew so hard but about 2 it cleared up enough for a walk about the town & round by the shore of the Harbour
A long street on a rising hill, with one cross down to the Quay. Several good houses & some new ones, but all look délabrés. All the antient buildings mentioned by Smith76 have been pulled down within 30 Years — but I suspect that what they called balconies were only large stone windows as in Galway {Ms 4030 page 22}.
The inlet into the harbour between two high points is very pretty. That on the East side is called Nancy Browns parlour77 from a small cave in it, dry at low water & into which the sea flows. Near it were dug out of the sand some years ago 3 very long Cannon which are set up as posts for lamps at the Knight of Kerry's Gate.78 They probably belonged to the Spanish armada of which a great ship was wrecked on the coast.79 Fewer shops in Dingle in proportion to its size than I have seen any where else. A Barrack here for 2 Companies.
The Church80 was very large & consisted formerly of two long paralel Aisles. The East end of the South aisle stands & has a very fine window — the rest is destroyed, and the East end of the North aisle is also cut off by a wall with a mean window which bounds the present church. The South side of it has the Arches which communicated between the two aisles barely stopped up. The Roof is
At this town is a bleach green & some linnen weaving carried on by Mr Moriarty.84 Dominick Trant85 has an Estate here. Market on Saturdays. Fish very plenty — I bought a great Turbot [of] 15 lb for 4s./6d. The borough belongs to Townsend.86 50 or 60 freemen [reside] in Co. Cork — not one resident here.87 No Magistrate or any thing else — 2 only at an Election.88 The borough belonged formerly to the Mullins family {Ms 4030 page 24}.
Vast quantities of Herrings are caught here. The Gourdet89 exists, & we might have had some but for the bad rough weather. Their excellence Alexis vouches. Ti-vouria90 is a little village larger than Ventry. So is Smerwick.
[August] 23 To Tralee
Disappointed by the bad weather of yesterday, but unable to remain here longer, we set off at 9 — William & I in the chaise by the great road, Mess[rs] Caldwell & Walsh by the Connors, a Mountain 5 or 6 miles off which is so perpendicular on the North side that they descended by 13 flights of steep narrow road, just wide enough for one horse, but having a good parapet of sods, yet infinitely too steep to ride it. From thence they crossed for some miles the most beautiful Strand that could be seen91 & saw both Kerry head & Loop head. On this road they met a common fellow with a pack of hounds which he said were his own & that he was paid by the country folks for going about killing the foxes with them.
From the hills on this side of Dingle we saw Ventry bay very distinctly across a very narrow istmus between it & Dingle bay just beyond Mr Mullins new house.92 At 1 1/2 Miles we came to a great Stone a little off the Road on the right hand. Its dimensions were 14 1/2 feet hight & 16 in circumference.93
We returned the same road we had come {Ms 4030 page 25} for 8 Miles. The Mountains on our Right & Left are well expressed in Sk[inner?] & T[aylor?].94 On the sides & in the Vallies there is a good deal of poor tillage — the Crops good & harvest forward — much Wheat & Flax. Some of the highest hills are green to the top. But not a tree anywhere to be seen.
At the fort of Cahirconree95 the View of Kerry head & Tralee bay opens to us. Here we stopped at a cabbin to feed & William & I walked on. The place is called Glandine. From the high ground under Cahirconree saw St Brandons Mountain & head, bluff & boldly projecting a Cliff into the Sea — as also Kerry head from whence low Mountains rise & coast the Shannon for 8 or 10 Miles. Kilgobbin Church & Glebehouse96 [were] on the Shore quite under us.
The Rock of Muccollogh97 which stands in Tralee bay, single, is placed too much to the East in Kitchin's map.98 The West Terminus of Tralee bay is a continuous heap of sandhills. Off that point lie the Maghery Islands, where much fine corn grows & Barley is frequently ripe in 6 Weekes from Sowing.
{Ms 4030 page 26}We pass by a very small ruinous Church of Killeltin.99 A mile
The Road to Tralee is very dull & flat. A mile & half from it a bridge crosses the River, close to which are Saltworks, & an embankment forming against the Sea. Here the Town ought to have been built.
The entrance is very dirty, the town very rambling in its plan. Some good houses on the Mall, a broad street by Sir Barry Denny's101 frightful old Castle.102. A Square very small & irregular. The Church is large & decent but never painted. A large new Jail103 is building. Many houses building so that half the streets are in rubbish.104
The husbandry seems wretched all round this town, tho' the ground is exceptionally good, & lets near the Town for £4 — and at some miles off for 2 Guineas — per Acre.
{Ms 4030 page 27}The Riders did not arrive till past 6 very weary. Dean Graves called on us & asked us all to breakfast & dinner tomorrow.
[August] 24 Ardfert
In our way we resolved to see the Spa105 so went round by the bay which, the tide being full appeared to the best advantage, but very bleak & dreary. At last we arrived at a little walled enclosure
From hence 4 Miles dreary enough to Ardfert, a very small ruinous village. Sacville is 1/2 m from it on a very small {Ms 4030 page 28} eminence — in this flat Country an exceeding pretty one — just built by himself [Dean Graves] but yet bleak. Here we found his Mother, Wife & Sister — Mrs Drought (Graves),107 Master Doyle,108 etc. Breakfasted & then to Church.
The Church109 is small, with a great pew for Lord Glendore,110 a Throne for the Bishop & a few others, added to the South side of the old Cathedral which is a large ruin, very lofty & very antient. The arches [are] chiefly round particularly the West door which is very antient & very curious, of soft red stone well carved, but mostly worn out by the weather. The East window [consists] of 3 long ones 30 feet high. The whole South side overhangs & threatens ruin, & they are now undermining it for graves.
There are here several other old walls, one very antique with round arches & carvings round the windows & heads for a cornice or eve house. No traces of the Round tower left.111 Much fine milkthistle grows here in the Church yard.
{Ms 4030 page 29} After hearing an excellent Sermon from Dean Graves we went to Lord Glendores thro a large Gothick gateway not of a piece with
After this we drove to the Strand & so to dinner by 6 o'clock {Ms 4030 page 30} where Richard Graves, F.T.C.D.,115 made another at a handsome entertainment with much good fruit. At ten we left him & got home by eleven to the Inn.
[August] 25 Tralee
A new Jail now building here seems very ill contrived — the staircases of timber — the lower rooms dungeons with little light or air, too large for one, too small for many. No communication between the Jailers house & the Jail. The windows of the cells open to the Street. Yet Mr Jerom has approved this plan of Mr Lorby a Carpenter who built {Ms 4030 page 31} it by Contract.
We walked into Sir Barry Denny's house116 which is much better than it appears outside. The grounds behind are well wooded &
At dinner were the Collector, Counsellor & Mrs & Miss Frankland, Mrs Letitia Blennerhassett, Miss Leplant & Miss
[August] 26
After receiving great civilities & 5 Subscriptions125 & a request of Franklands to send him some [?deeds] when term commences I left this hospitable house at 7 with Mr Spring who {Ms 4030 page 33} accompanied me to Killarney on horseback. 4 miles North of Arbella etc. & parallel to Slieve Miss are a range of low Mountains126 from near Tralee to Castleisland & so to Co. Cork. The vale between [is] exceeding rich fine ground & full of Gentlemens' seats — the whole Arthur Blennerhassett's. No trees but about Seats. Ascend & cross a skirt of Slieve Miss, very wild & neglected.127 The whole North side [is] Sir Barry Denny's [and a] great part of [the] South Sir William Godfrey's. Near Castlemain we pass on our right Kiltalla Church & glebe house.128 Bait129 at Miltown & paye a visit to Sir William Godfrey. His wife is a lunatick, I hear. He showed me a daughter130 deaf & dumb who draws mighty well without instruction — a curious print very large of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey131
From a hill 3 Miles beyond Miltown [there is] a fine view of Castlemain bay & opposite the Rivers Maing & Lane in their way to it. The Lane, which winds considerably, is very broad at Killorglin & crossed over a bridge of 14 arches.
The Ruin of the Church of Killagh133 is on our left on the East of the Lane. The small village of old Castlemain now [sic; recte 'not'?] inhabited is on the West side of the river. The whole forms a fine landscape with some wooded seats on the bank [which we viewed] from a hill a quarter mile farther. Two miles farther South we turned East & passed a large rivulet134 pouring from the vast range of Mountains that run East & West covering the Rickes about 2 Miles from us. One mile farther another river135 & 2 miles farther still a very broad one.136 All fall into the Lane. {Ms 4030 page 35} There is a ruined church137 near the Mountains & not far from Churchtown, Mr Blennerhassett's. This track is very wild, yet has several good Seats — McGillycuddys,138 etc.
Came to Beaufort where I met James who had lazily gone so late with a message of my intention to wait on Dr Day that he was gone on the lake. Mrs Day was ill & the gate was locked so there was no admittance. We alighted & walked to Dunloe Castle, Mr
We proceeded to Killarney where I found our Gentlemen were gone to Mangerton & had ordered Dinner at 1/2 past 5. I asked Mr Spring141 [to dinner] & kept him waiting till our friends returned at 1/2 past 7. The whole town crouded with {Ms 4030 page 36} gentlemen & ladies to the Quarter Sessions. I lodge now at Mrs Sweeny's. NB. A Ball last night, one tomorrow, & another on Friday, after the Staghunt.
[August] 27
After breakfast I went to the other Inn to call on Col. [?Mecfayer] who received me very politely. The morning being wet we some way idly did not set off till twelve o'clock, being also delayed by various demands & impositions & losing whips, etc. Then drove to Mucruss, embarked there, sailed thro' Tork lake, landed at Dinas where we met a large party from Mr Herberts, chatted a while & proceeded on our voyage to the upper lake, still in rain & clouds, picked up on the bank Mr Carrol the Painter142 & carried him with us, [then] landed on Ronan's Isle from the top of which we might see the whole lake of a fine day. Mr Ronan143 [sic] himself locked his door on our approach & stood outside of it like a great Brute
Corrected Wilson's plan145 of upper lake. Faden's146 is incorrigible.
Martins are plenty here, & in whatever Islands they have been put they have destroyed all rats, rabbits, & even crows. The boatmen say there are squirrels in the woods, but I doubt it. They say also that there are black hares, & in Winter white ones, in the Mountains.
Donal - a - Neelagh's (the enchanted O'Donaghoe) Room at Ross Castle is still haunted, & they tell dreadful Stories of the consequences of foolhardy soldiers who slept there.147
It grew a little fairer and we {Ms 4030 page 38} set forward to ascend the Hill, about 1 1/2 Miles to the high road where our carriages waited. At one place the River crosses it [the path] & I clambered across
Capt. Offley of the 21st [Regiment] — a friend of Mr Caldwell quartered here — came to see him & engaged us to breakfast & dine the next day. There was no bed for the Servants who sat up all night, nor provender for the horses. I wrote to Mr Pelham151 (naming Lady O'Brien)152 though I knew he was not at home. But
{Ms 4030 page 40}August 28
Kenmare or Neddeen consists of a very few houses; one lately taken from Mr Stewart for a Barrack;154 near the Village a strange illcontrived illexecuted small house155 for the marquis of Lansdown's agent, which cost £1,000, where the Stewarts live with Mr Pelham.
The rocky grounds hereabouts let for one Guinea per Acre — yet the people are better dressed & Housed than with us. Very little tillage — much oats & potatoes are imported — all owing to smuggling, which is now almost annihilated.
The barracks here [is] not large enough for one Company [and] they have as yet no beds or bedding sent to them. Quartered here now [are] Capt. Offley [and] Lieuts. Darragh & Fitzgerald, with whom we breakfasted, then paid a visit to Mr Stewart, who very civilly offered to ride with us, & accompanied us along the Shore to the West, as far as Blackwater, a rapid river which in a deep Glen partly wooded tumbles from rock to rock & rolls precipitate a foaming torrent under a very {Ms 4030 page 41} lofty bridge156 which forms the connection between two sloping roads. Along the whole ride [we] had a fine view of Kenmare river, and distinctly saw the Bull, a vast high rock which faces the mouth of the harbour, 10 leagues from Neddeen.
Just near the Village boats come to the Sound, a narrow part of [the] River contracted by a projecting peninsula, on which there are a saltwork & other buildings. Small craft lie in a snug bay behind
Much cotton is spun here & some wove — the towels at the Inn were a very thick Muslin made here. But the principal business is carried on by Geo[rge] Peat [sic], a Quaker from Ballynakill158 who has invented a machine by which {Ms 4030 page 42} he reduces into cotton tow vast quantities of bad or notty cotton yarn, & then cards & spins it over again. This rubbage is bought at 8d [? per pound]. The working stands him in about [?1/2 d] & the spinning 1/2 d per pound and is then worth 18d [?per pound]159.
As we rode we saw on the South Coast about 6 miles from Kenmare Clonee [Cloonee] lake, a little Killarney, being adorned with arbutus & other trees & full of Islands. Mr Stewart says Valentia is a fine fertile hilly Isle, but without Rock or Mountain. Much flax is cultivated & linnen made there.
We returned & dined at the Barrack at 1/2 past 5. Afterwards Mr Caldwell & Mr Walsh went & lay at Mr Stewart's.
There is a patent for markets here but none held as yet. The town belongs to Lord Lansdown, who does not sufficiently encourage it, by what I hear.
{Ms 4030 page 43}August 29 To Bantry.
Breakfasted by invitation at Mr Stewart's where we had the best bread I ever saw. A Miss Irwin was there, from Donegal, niece to Dr Irwin of Clones. At 12 we set out by the short road to Bantry, Mr Stewart assuring me that John Kenny160 travelled it lately with his wife in a Cabriole. Others told us it was not very bad, but the
We adventured. Near Neddeen passed the Church on R[ight?] of road surrounded by Elm trees.162 The old site163 is on the opposite side of the River. Here is a fine Vale with rich Orchards & some Seats — two of [them] Mr Orpin's [?&] many [? stone houses etc.]. A mile from the town we quit it [the vale] & turning Southward crossed a bridge & entered the College Estate164 which extends over a great tract of Country here. There are some considerable woods on it well preserved, because they give their tenants {Ms 4030 page 44} a third part Interest in them — & indeed these tenants seem to plant a good deal besides, & have snug habitations. All the under tenants seem well housed also. But the College cut their Woods too often — every 14 years, I hear.
About a mile farther [we] turned off the road on a boggy hill on the right, one or two hundred yards, to see a remarkable Rock that lies on the Surface, about 7 Yards cube, all limestone, whereas this South side of Kenmare is all brown stone without exception & every stone on the North of it Limestone. Upon this Rock grow plants of various kind — Arbutus, Quicken, Holly, Hawthorn, Ivy. What is still more remarkable is that exactly opposite to this rock on the North side of the River there is brown rock.165
Here Mr Stewart who had accompanied us so far took leave & we proceeded by a very good road thro very rough Mountains. At a place called Gheragh Diveen we turned round {Ms 4030 page 45} a most extraordinary ledge of brown stone ending in a fine rounded slope
It now began to rain very hard. William & I went on to look for Shelter which we found under a rock just where the road begins again. Having got there over such difficult rocky ways I was unwilling to turn back, so we proceeded on foot along a new made road, with some very bad sloughs, winding along the side of a high wild Mountain — a pernicious height above an ill cultivated narrow valley on the Right.172 In about two miles walking, sometimes in the clouds & almost in darkness, {Ms 4030 page 48} we overtook our gentlemen, who had stopped to call up men & then proceeded all together to a cabbin about a Mile farther, where we obtained with some fear & caution of the poor inhabitants, some Brandy, very necessary for persons wet & worn. It was now near 6, so the horsemen went on to Bantry, & William remained with me to wait the event of our chaise & pay the labourers of whom we sent 3 or 4 more from hence. None of the Inhabitants could speak English, but one little girl of 10 years, but they were very civil, gave me milk, potatoes & one egg. They had butter, but neither salt nor bread.
At half past 7 the Chaises & men arrived quite safe, but very tired. We refreshed them with Brandy & potatoes & milk, & then set forward for Bantry — 5 Miles we were told of excellent road {Ms 4030 page 49} but 1/2 a Mile off we came to a rapid River, the Comhola, where we crossed a deep & dangerous ford, nearly in the dark. We got safe [across] but the Cabriole had nearly suffered, for the horse being restif fell & the servants (James & Mr Caldwell's man) were obliged to light in the middle of the river.
About nine we reached Bantry, the night growing very bright with Northern lights. Mr Young's173 Inn is an old fabrick, not over good or comfortable, but we were glad to find ourselves there by a good turf fire.