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.

41 comments:

  1. 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. 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. 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. Ooh yes Jane, wouldn't that be fantastic!

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

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  8. 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. 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. 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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    1. 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. :-)

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

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

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

    Have a nice week!

    Hugs from Brazil

    Bia <°))))<

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  14. Welcome Bia and thanks for commenting. :-)

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  15. 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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  16. 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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  17. Thanks BT and thanks for following. :-)

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  18. Nice place architectuur, and falcon,greeting from Belgium

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

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

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

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

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

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  25. 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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