Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Rev. Daniel A. Beaufort's Tour of Kerry, 1788 (Author: Daniel A. Beaufort)
Entry 3
[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
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Cahirnane — Mrs Delanys21 — come to the Abbey of Mucruss.22{Ms 4030 page 3}
A few years ago a hermit dwelt in the Abbey having roofed part of the refectory with broken Coffins. He was teised & plundered & he went away, about 10 years ago. A woman who attends for the friar, to whom the key of the place is entrusted, told us that Mass is celebrated here on a temporary altar with great pomp on the 3d of August, St Jingler's day, when 4 or 5 other friars attend & all the country come here to confess & do penance.23 From hence we crossed into the beautiful grounds of Mucruss, & walked along a terras of uncommon magnificence over hanging the lake to the house of Mr Herbert,24 a very mean & ruinous structure.25 The family [are] just gone to England. In Mucrus House is a very fine picture by Hudson26 of Lady Emily Butler sister to the last Duke of Ormond who survived both her brothers, & died at 99 Years 11 Months, as Lord Kenmare told us.27 The Hall is flagged with the red & white marble of Mucruss, of which there is
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a great Quarry.28 Near Mucrus is a small Village of Cloghreen, many protestants, & a ruined church.29