Glena Cottage Ireland Queen Victoria
Dear Mr. Turlough McConnell,
I was delighted to find out our cabinet was actually an Irish Victorian Killarney marquetry Davenport, mid-19th century. It appears the thatched cottage on the top of the cabinet is Glena Cottage, where Queen Victoria visited and which also burnt down in 1916. On the side of the cabinet is an inlaid picture of a large mansion said to have been Killarney House, the residence of Earl of Kenmare where Queen Victoria was entertained in 1861. The sloping top, when raised, discloses six small drawers, and there is a secret drawer below. There is an inlaid picture of a harp, stag and eagle. Now, my interest has new meaning having just returned from a country with such history. I suppose my curiosity is beyond normal thinking and I tend to be a romanticist. I find the site Muckross- house library very insightful. How Interesting Queen Victoria’s visit coincides so much with all the scenes on our cabinet. I am excited to research this more to find out more of this historic time, as one of the articles says “Her Majesty being “very quiet” while at Muckross. A direct quote says “Great events make me quiet and calm; it’s only trifles that irritate my nerves.”
Ireland is so beautiful; I can only imagine how it was in 1861. I can picture myself, a day at Ross Castle,
Then set out for a day at the lakes on a stag hunt. The Muckross library says, “The Royal party was then escorted to Killarney House, where a large dinner was held that evening. The next day the Queen embarked at Ross Castle for a day on the lakes. Lunch was served at Glena Cottage”. Lord Castlerosse presented a similar cabinet to Queen Victoria on the occasion of her visit to Killarney in 1861. It is on display in the Boudoir at Muckross House courtesy of the National Museum of Ireland. It was lovely to meet you, Mr. McConnell, at the Hillsborough Castle! The ball was such an event, my camera mysteriously arrived with me in my handbag so I was able to capture a few memorable moments! The secretary of state even escorted me to the cloakroom for the ladies, as I had lost my way in the castle. Topping the evening ….. Meeting Mr. Ian Paisley!
Sincerely,
Valerie Fain
*Note I sent this to magazine editor Mr. Turlough McConnell in Ireland. Maybe if I was a better writer he would have responded….lol. I thought this should be front page news as I was beside myself discovering the scenes on the desk in my living room.
*Notes from Northern Ireland Investment Conference w/ OnlineAuction.com.
I wasn’t supposed to bring my camera….ooops! Greeted Ian Paisley, loved his testimony! He talked about being in prison and his beliefs in God. I got lost trying to find the “Cloak Room” Secretary of state showed me the way. Stayed in the famous Europa, 12 story hotel in Belfast. The most bombed hotel in Europe bombed 16 times. Went to Queens University founded by Queen Victoria, The Bush Mills Inn, Stormont Parliament for lunch, Transport museum conference.
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