On Saturday we proceeded to Dromoland. It
is a splendid abode, now nearly finished, and
offers that phenomenon in Ireland, or indeed in
any country, a magnificent place erected without ruining the possessor. Sir Lucius O'Brien lives there
in a style of hospitable splendour, which does
credit to his good taste and kind heart: the [p. 174] rich
are welcome, and the poor taken care of. In
both these agreeable employments he has an able
assistant in his interesting wife. The comfortable cottages which on all sides may be seen without the walls of the park, bear testimony to the
goodness and liberality of their landlord. The
castle contains some good pictures, and many interesting portraits of this ancient family.
<br>In the entrance hall is one of their great
ancestor, the celebrated king Brian Boroihme.
The upper gallery is full of these interesting
memorials of bygone days; and the present
possessor of Dromoland has placed them in richly carved frames, which accord admirably with the
florid and beautiful architecture of the building.
There are two by Sir Peter Lely, of Lord
Clarendon, and his daughter, the Duchess of
York.
<br>In the dining-room is a large full-length portrait of Queen Anne. It was a present from her
Majesty to the family here, whose cousin she was, Sir Donat O'Brien having married the daughter of
Mr. and Lady — Kitely, who was the daughter
of the first Lord Clarendon. Mr Kitely came
into Ireland, as Lord Treasurer to the
Earl of Clarendon, and his brother-in-
law, who [p. 175] was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
Thus the O'Briens, independent of their Irish
descent from the Kings of Munster, are nobly
connected. We had some delightful rambles
among the woods and beautiful grounds which
surround Dromoland. The woodcut which is
inserted here, is a view of the western front of
the castle. <br>[Image: Dromoland Castle] <br>The following is a literal translation of a poem
which was addressed to a former Lady O'Brien,
by a friar who resided at Quin Abbey, and was
in the habit of visiting at Dromoland.
<br>This lady was remarkable for her beauty and
attractions; and the monk, in his touching and
[p. 176] poetical appeal, powerfully reminds her how soon
her graces and earthly advantages must have an
end. [Vol. 2, p. 173-1766] [Followed by long <em>vanitas</em> poem]
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