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Here is an introduction to the Museum in Woodhouse from the Museum Curator, Marianna Lorenc![]()
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Artefacts at the Woodhouse Museum![]()
The collection of things to explore in this Museum comes from a fascinating journey into the past. It opens the door to the understanding of the lives and characters of the people![]()
involved in creating the history of Woodhouse, the events and turning points on its timeline, the intimate, deep layers of meanings in the existence of the house and its inhabitants.![]()
Once opened, the door to the Museum reveals a glimpse of the times when the Big Houses were perceived as the small universes; it offers an insight into the fragments of reality long gone, a taste of art and aesthetics of Life, a smell, touch, colour of an era which is no longer. These artefacts were bestowed into the care of the Museum’s Curator during personal interviews and as such every one of them bears a unique emotional and historical significance.![]()
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“Life is often a Dream and a Dream can sometimes be the Life” – the stories behind the artefacts are a tangible chronicle of chasing the shadow of the past.
Hope the sun keeps shining for the Copper Coast Festival this weekendOnly a week to go until the 2021 Copper Coast Festival!![]()
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Events include ![]()
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SEARG broadcasting live from Tankardstown enginehouse.![]()
Tankardstown, just east of Bunmahon![]()
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th 10am to 5pm![]()
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Copper Coast Geopark Seed Plant and Produce Swap and Share Table.![]()
Saturday June 5th 2pm to 5pm ![]()
At the Geological Garden in Bunmahon ![]()
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Copper Coast Community Herb Garden Official Opening ![]()
Saturday June 5th at 3pm![]()
At the Geological Garden in Bunmahon ![]()
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Bonmahon Lifeboat open day![]()
Sunday 6th from June 10.30am to 4pm at the boathouse in Bunmahon![]()
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Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre Open Day ![]()
Sunday June 6th 11am to 4pm![]()
Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre in Bunmahon Co Waterford![]()
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Road bowling in Fenor ![]()
Sunday June 6th 11am ![]()
Fenor village cross, Fenor Co Waterford![]()
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To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. (Thomas Campbell)![]()
Today marks the 80th anniversary of the tragic death of one of the Woodhouse owners, Lord Hugh Tristram de la Poer Beresford RN (1908-1941). He was the Lieutenant Commander at HMS Kelly which was bombarded and sunk during the Battle of Crete, 23rd May 1941. The ship was part of the 5th Flotilla, commanded by Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979). ![]()
The last survivor of HMS Kelly, Mr. K.J., had said that Lord Hugh saved his and his surviving shipmates’ lives; they were all seriously injured and lost in the water after the initial blast killed half of the crew and made the ship capsize in 60 seconds. ![]()
What happened next is a long and sad story, which one can listen to at the Woodhouse Museum.![]()
To seek new worlds for gold, for praise, for glory,![]()
To try desire, to try love severed far,![]()
When I was gone, she sent her memory,![]()
More strong than were ten thousand ships of war... ![]()
(Sir Walter Raleigh, The Ocean to Cynthia)
Hidden in the tree tops and surrounded by bluebells and fairy doors the Playhouse looks beautiful on this sunny afternoon. Always a popular discovery by young visitors to the Estate.
20.04.1911 - 110 years ago (and 9 days) and shortly after the National Census of Ireland, Miss Emily Frances Louisa Beresford (1861-1933) of Woodhouse was betrothed to Sir Robert Adair Hodson Bart (1853-1921) of Hollybrooke, Co. Wexford.![]()
Miss Emily Beresford was the youngest of 7 children of Col. George John Beresford BA (1807-1864) and his second wife (as well as first cousin once removed) Frances Constantia Uniacke (1822-1867). While she lived in Woodhouse known, as Miss Beresford, young Emily was involved in organizing many charity events, concerts and tea-parties. Although much loved by her Woodhouse and Curraghmore family as well as by the local community, for a long time she remained unmarried. However, when she eventually did meet her match, Sir Robert Adair Hodson Bt. her wedding was described in awe-striking detail by the newspapers.![]()
Sir Robert and his wife Emily lived at Hollybrooke House in Co. Wexford. Lady Emily inherited Woodhouse when her brother the Rev. Richard Uniacke Beresford (1858-1925) bequeathed it to her in his last will in 1925. She on her part, when departing this world in 1933 (only one day short of her 72nd birthday) bequeathed the Estate to her relative from Curraghmore, Lord Hugh Tristram de la Poer Beresford RN (1908-1941).![]()
Included here is a copy of "The Kilkenny Moderator and Leinster Advertiser" dated April 29 1911. Their marriage is recorded under Fashionable Marriages including the list of wedding gifts which were "numerous and handsome". Also included photographs of Lady Emily Beresford Hodson
Blue sky, sunshine and birdsong.... the garden of Stewards Cottage this afternoon. The perfect hideaway! We can't wait for travel restrictions to ease so we can welcome guests back to Woodhouse 😊
Still some copies remaining of this Limited Edition book. Contact 087 3537293 or 1woodhouseestate@gmail.com to order your copy.The Woodhouse Notebooks (Volume 1) is a beautifully produced book which traces the history of the people, events and places connected with Woodhouse. It is a treat for any history enthusiast or indeed anybody with an interest in Woodhouse, Stradbally and surrounding areas. Cost €25 plus postage. Contact us for more details.
Here is another interesting (and sad) story relating to the history of Woodhouse Estate thanks to our museum curator Marianna Lorenc.....![]()
Far away, beyond the seven mountains and seas, a long time ago - on Thursday, 7th April 1842 - ten day old Jane Selina Beresford born “at sea”, was baptized on Ireland Island in Bermuda. On the same day her mother Jane Charlotte Beresford (nee Riall) (1819 – 1842) who died the day before, was buried. ![]()
Soon after the newborn girl’s father, George John Beresford (1807-1864) buried in the same grave his first-born baby son, Charles John Beresford (1841-1842).![]()
This dreadful beginning of life however, did not determine Jane Selina’s fate. In 1844 her father married his cousin once-removed Frances Constantia Uniacke of Woodhouse and provided his daughter a happy home with half-brothers and sisters whom Jane formed a great attachment to. In 1868 at Stradbally church she married her father’s distant relative Rev. William Power Cobbe and a few years later had a son Charles William Beresford Cobbe who became the rector at Elmstead, Kent. ![]()
Jane Selina died at the age of 92 in 1930 after a long, fulfilled life in Kent.