Coole Park. June 2011



49 members of BARA enjoyed a lovely day trip to Woodville gardens & Coole Park on wed. 8th June. The weather was not too good but it did not dampen our spirits. First stop was Woodville gardens set at the foot of the Slieve Aughty mountains. The gardens were lovely, the doves sitting on the top of the dovecott were eyeing us suspiciously. These gardens were owned by the Darcy family & later by Harry Persse brother to Lady Augusta Gregory. The adjoining the stables exhibit the history of Woodville & very interesting it was. Our next stop was Coole Park, & into the tea rooms for scones & tea /coffee. Then there was a guided tour around the nature trail. There were red deer grazing nearby, the large house no longer there it fell into disrepair & was pulled down in the 1940's . On around the se lovely grounds we came upon the old brown beech tree aprox three hundred years old. The initials of famous people are carved on the trunk. George Bernard Shaw, W B Yates & many more. Back inside we saw a video of the Lady Gregory family in the last century. This was a very good experience for all. Lastly we enjoyed a meal at Lady Gregory hotel. All in all it was a very good day !!
Margaret MacDonnell





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