From Mitchelstown to Cashel, the road leads as far as Galbally in the
route already travelled from Cullen. Towards Cashel the country is
various. The only objects deserving attention are the plantations of
Thomastown, the seat of Francis Mathew, Esq.; they consist chiefly of
hedgerow trees in double and treble rows, are well grown, and of such
extent as to form an uncommon woodland scene in Ireland. Found the widow
Holland's inn, at Cashel, clean and very civil. Take the road to
Urlingford. The rich sheep pastures, part of the famous golden vale,
reach between three and four miles from Cashel to the great bog by Botany
Hill, noted for producing a greater variety of plants than common. That
bog is separated by only small tracts of land from the string of bogs
which extend through the Queen's County, from the great bog of Allen; it
is here of considerable extent, and exceedingly improvable. Then enter a
low marshy bad country, which grows worse after passing the sixty-sixth
milestone, and successive bogs in it. Breakfast at Johnstown, a regular
village on a slight eminence, built by Mr. Hayley. It is near the spa of
Ballyspellin.
Rows of trees are planted, but their heads all cut off, I suppose from
their not thriving, being planted too old. Immediately on leaving these
planted avenues, enter a row of eight or ten new cabins, at a distance
from each other, which appear to be a new undertaking, the land about
them all pared and burnt, and the ashes in heaps.
Enter a fine planted country, with much corn and good thriving quick
hedges for many miles. The road leads through a large wood, which joins
Lord Ashbrook's plantations, whose house is situated in the midst of more
wood than almost any one I have seen in Ireland. Pass Durrow; the
country for two or three miles continues all inclosed with fine quick
hedges, is beautiful, and has some resemblance to the best parts of
Essex. Sir Robert Staple's improvements join this fine tract. They are
completed in a most perfect manner, the hedges well grown, cut, and in
such excellent order that I can scarcely believe myself to be in Ireland.
His gates are all of iron. These sylvan scenes continue through other
seats, beautifully situated amidst gentle declivities of the finest
verdure, full-grown woods, excellent hedges, and a pretty river winding
by the house. The whole environs of several would be admired in the best
parts of England.
Cross a great bog, within sight of Lord de Vesci's plantations. The road
leads over it, being drained for that purpose by deep cuts on either
side. I should apprehend this bog to be among the most improvable in the
country. Slept at Ballyroan, at an inn kept by three animals who call
themselves women; met with more impertinence than at any other in
Ireland. It is an execrable hole. In three or four miles pass Sir John
Parnel's, prettily situated in a neatly dressed lawn, with much wood
about it, and a lake quite alive with wild fowl.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account