Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Dromana Gate Lodge and a Peregrine Falcon

I've been so busy these past few months that i haven't even had time to bless myself  (as they say in Ireland) and my poor blog has been a bit neglected. I haven't been very far on my jaunts either, as i do tend to hibernate a bit during the winter months, so for this post i've dipped into the archives so to speak and found a few photos of this little surprise we came across one Sunday afternoon down a country lane near the little village of  Villerstown, in Co. Waterford.


The Hindu-Gothic Gate Lodge was designed by local architect Martin Day and was built to greet the owner of the Dromana Estate, Henry Villiers-Stuart and his Austrian bride, Theresia Pauline ott of  Vienna, on returning from their honeymoon in 1826.


It was inspired by John Nash's Brighton Pavilion and was originally built from wood and papiér maché, then in later years reconstructed in stone. 


A little peek inside.


Changing the subject completely, i found these older photos my OH took of a young Peregrine Falcon, who came right up to him to say hello.


He was so close and wasn't the slightest bit bothered by my OH and his camera.




Ill leave with this busy little fella, going in...


and coming out again. If you click on the photo to enlarge it you can see the bee's little tongue.


Thanks for dropping by.

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41 comments:

  1. Jacqueline @ HOME10 February 2015 at 06:42

    Dear Deb,
    I saw the first photograph and thought, I know what I am going to say in my comment …… it is so like the Brighton Pavillion !!!!! I love it ….. like the Brighton Pavillion it almost makes you gasp because it's so different and exotic. Can you imagine what people thought in the early 1800's ?!! It must have looked so magical.
    Beautiful images of birds and flowers too. XXXX

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  2. Deb10 February 2015 at 07:45

    Hi Jackie, we were surprised when we turned the corner and saw it, so i can't imagine what they thought 200 years ago! As far as i know it's the only one in Ireland.xx

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  3. Jane of Levant10 February 2015 at 08:09

    Wow - that is spectacular - imagine a coach and horses driving through - what a picture - love the falcon - have a good week - Jane

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    1. Deb10 February 2015 at 10:15

      Ooh yes Jane, wouldn't that be fantastic!

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  4. northsider 10 February 2015 at 10:03

    I love visiting stately homes and large gardens here in Ireland. I especially like walled kitchen gardens. Please let me know if you see any Deb? Usual great photos!

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  5. Deb10 February 2015 at 10:12

    Yes i will do Dave. As far as i remember i think Kylemore Abbey up in Mayo has one, but i don't think i've seen any down this way. Doesn't Foto have one? I've only visited the wildlife park not the gardens.

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  6. Millymollymandy10 February 2015 at 11:01

    Bizarre, I commented here earlier but it's not here now. I wonder if I did my usual thing of typing something then forgetting to press post then closing down the tab? Haha. Well I think I said something about what a beautiful looking building and how amazing to see that falcon up close. Love the bees too - roll on bee season! xx

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  7. Deb10 February 2015 at 11:08

    I think it might be my end Mandy, as i had a lot of trouble uploading the photos. I've done that before too (more than once), but then my memory's like a sieve lately.:-) xx

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    1. Millymollymandy10 February 2015 at 11:19

      Phew - well as my memory is as bad as yours then we will both have forgotten about it by tomorrow! ;-)

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    2. Deb10 February 2015 at 12:58

      :-)) :-))

      Delete
  8. Amanda Peters11 February 2015 at 02:21

    Lovely building Deb, and how great to get that close to a wild Falcon, I would have been a happy bunny seeing that.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Deb11 February 2015 at 07:25

      I know, i wish i had been there too Amanda, but i was at work. My OH spotted the parents first and dashed home to get his camera and when he returned the youngster was on the wall. What a bonus! :-)

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  9. Ragged Robin11 February 2015 at 03:19

    Great photos - love the Lodge so interesting to read about it. Must have been a wonderful surprise to come across it so suddenly :) Brilliant Peregrine photos - have never managed to get anywhere near close enough to them to even attempt a photo and the bee is lovely (a reminder that Spring isn't far away!!).

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    Replies
    1. Deb11 February 2015 at 07:33

      Yes it was a surprise, not something you expect to find out in the sticks in rural Ireland. It certainly was a stroke of luck seeing the Peregrine.and even luckier that it too curious to fly away. :-)

      Delete
  10. Unknown11 February 2015 at 04:44

    Thanks for sharing your photos. My 3x Great Grandfather Redmond O'Neill was a gardener at Dromana Castle around the time that the this gate was built. I have never seen photos from the inside, so cool! I plan on making a trip to Ireland and specifically this location in a few years. In the meantime these photos help keep me connected. Thank you.
    --Steven O'Neill
    stevenconeill@gmail.com

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  11. Gillian11 February 2015 at 08:02

    Great photos.

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  12. Deb11 February 2015 at 08:04

    Hi Steven, that's interesting. I'd like to look around the house and gardens but i'm not sure if it's open to the public, as far as i know parts of it are available for self-catering. If you do make it over it'll be lovely for you to connect more with your ancestry. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. :-)

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  13. Anonymous11 February 2015 at 08:15

    Lovely, lovely, lovely peregrine :o) How fantastic to have that experience xx

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    1. Deb11 February 2015 at 08:27

      It's all lovely's this week isn't it CT :-))

      Delete
  14. Beatriz14 February 2015 at 05:06

    Ireland....a beautiful country I'd like to know someday!

    Have a nice week!

    Hugs from Brazil

    Bia <°))))<

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  15. Deb14 February 2015 at 06:30

    Welcome Bia and thanks for commenting. :-)

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  16. eileeninmd21 February 2015 at 06:38

    What a grand entrance and gate.. I love the Peregrine Falcon, awesome bird and photos.. Great post, have a happy weekend!

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  17. Deb21 February 2015 at 07:18

    Thanks Eileen. :-)

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  18. Breathtaking21 February 2015 at 23:25

    Wow! Two great unexspected surprises, and cool photos. I have never had the pleasure of seeing a Peregrine Falcon so near. Lovely photos of the bee also.

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  19. Deb22 February 2015 at 07:16

    Thanks BT and thanks for following. :-)

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  20. Louisette28 February 2015 at 05:38

    Nice place architectuur, and falcon,greeting from Belgium

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  21. Louisette28 February 2015 at 05:38

    Have a nice weekend

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  22. Teresa Ashby28 February 2015 at 08:56

    What a beautiful and interesting looking place, Deb! And the falcon - a wonderful experience to see one so close up and friendly.
    I have to say I have never seen a bee's tongue before. Lovely photos xx

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  23. Deb1 March 2015 at 02:58

    Thanks Teresa. I hope you're feeling better.xx

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  24. obat herbal alzheimer4 March 2015 at 19:20

    wow amazing
    very beautiful post


    Obat Herbal Alzheimer

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  25. Cro Magnon12 March 2015 at 06:02

    I have connections with Brighton (I've had a home there for over 30 years), and instantly thought of The Pavilion. Very exotic.

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  26. Deb12 March 2015 at 10:16

    It's nice to have a bit of Brighton in rural Ireland. :-)

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  27. Em Parkinson24 March 2015 at 04:10

    Lovely to see the Peregrine; your pics are far better than mine from a few months ago!

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    1. Deb24 March 2015 at 08:03

      Thanks Em. Your photos are brill, I love the Woodpecker and ponies. :-)

      Delete
  28. Jane of Levant25 March 2015 at 15:15

    Hello Deb - interesting blog - love the falcon they are so proud - have a good week - Jane

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  29. Unknown1 October 2015 at 02:22

    Your blog article is really very nice and informative in which you have described about travelling tips.

    Scenic tours | Trafalgar tours | Cosmos tours
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    ReplyDelete

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