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THE PARLIAMENTARY GAZETTEER OF IRELAND, DATED 1846, PROVIDES A FITTING DESCRIPTION OF THE GRANDEUR OF TOLLYMORE PARK, ANCESTRAL SEAT OF THE EARLS OF RODEN
TOLLYMORE PARK, or TULLAMORE PARK, the superb demesne of the Earl of Roden, in the parish of Kilcoo, barony of Upper Iveagh, County Down, is situated on the rivulet Shimna, at the north-west base of Slieve Donard, adjacent to the south side of the village of Bryansford.
The mansion is a plain though commodious building; yet the demesne, in consequence partly of its artificial decorations, but chiefly of its natural character, is one of the most magnificently picturesque in the British dominions.
Its woods extend about two miles along the base of Slieve Donard, and contain some of the finest larch in the Kingdom.
"Entering the grand gate," says Mr Atkinson, "we proceeded by a row of excellent offices, with a tower, clock, and spire, to inspect the demesne."
"The lofty mountains of Mourne, with Slieve Donard in the rear of this grand group, and an extensive green mountain, richly planted, that skirts the lawn, bear full upon your view as you enter the grand gate."
"In your descent from this gate to the lawn, you not only pass by the spire and offices attached to the house, but also a small pleasure garden; and after moving twenty or thirty paces towards the lawn, a landscape inconceivably grand presents itself."
"In your approach through the gate, you are entertained with a grand mountain view through a defile; but here, to the majesty of the Mourne Mountains, which overhang the landscape in front, and the planted mountain of more modest altitude that bounds the lawn, with a most interesting cottage on its declivity, are added the variegated beauties of an open country, and the entire rich and picturesque group of features that characterize the home view."
"Among the former may be included, as of prime importance to the general scene, the Irish Channel on the left-hand, with Felix Magennis's famous castle on the seashore."
"Among the latter, the woody hills and glens of the demesne, extending to the right in front of the lawn; the interesting cottage on the declivity of the planted mountain; and on the lawn itself, a beautiful MONUMENT erected to the memory of the Hon James Jocelyn RN, second son of the late Earl of Roden."
"Tullamore Park is reputed to contain 1,200 Irish acres; and we may truly say that such a combination of wood and water, of lofty mountains with lowly valleys, and of all which is necessary to fill the vastness of the imagination with an impression of the grandeur and beauty of a perfect scene, we have seldom witnessed in our travels through this country."
Its woods extend about two miles along the base of Slieve Donard, and contain some of the finest larch in the Kingdom.
"Tullamore Park," observe Mr and Mrs Hall, "is a place which Nature had prepared to receive the improvements of art."
"It is situated in the midst of most sublime scenery, with the wide expanse of ocean open before it; yet nowhere do the trees grow with greater luxuriance."
"Through this delicious spot rush the assembled mountain rivulets, creating in their passage cascades of every variety of force and form."
"It is scarcely possible to imagine a scene where natural beauties and advantages have been turned to more valuable account by judgment, skill, and taste, than this which lies at the foot of Slieve Donard, and almost on the brink of the ocean."
"Entering the grand gate," says Mr Atkinson, "we proceeded by a row of excellent offices, with a tower, clock, and spire, to inspect the demesne."
"The lofty mountains of Mourne, with Slieve Donard in the rear of this grand group, and an extensive green mountain, richly planted, that skirts the lawn, bear full upon your view as you enter the grand gate."
"In your descent from this gate to the lawn, you not only pass by the spire and offices attached to the house, but also a small pleasure garden; and after moving twenty or thirty paces towards the lawn, a landscape inconceivably grand presents itself."
"In your approach through the gate, you are entertained with a grand mountain view through a defile; but here, to the majesty of the Mourne Mountains, which overhang the landscape in front, and the planted mountain of more modest altitude that bounds the lawn, with a most interesting cottage on its declivity, are added the variegated beauties of an open country, and the entire rich and picturesque group of features that characterize the home view."
"Among the former may be included, as of prime importance to the general scene, the Irish Channel on the left-hand, with Felix Magennis's famous castle on the seashore."
"Among the latter, the woody hills and glens of the demesne, extending to the right in front of the lawn; the interesting cottage on the declivity of the planted mountain; and on the lawn itself, a beautiful MONUMENT erected to the memory of the Hon James Jocelyn RN, second son of the late Earl of Roden."
"Tullamore Park is reputed to contain 1,200 Irish acres; and we may truly say that such a combination of wood and water, of lofty mountains with lowly valleys, and of all which is necessary to fill the vastness of the imagination with an impression of the grandeur and beauty of a perfect scene, we have seldom witnessed in our travels through this country."
First published in March, 2020.
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