Mystery of a place – Castlemorris house and gardens
Fujifilm X100
The Green door
Irish landscape photography: Nigel Borrington
This old door and the stone shed it is attached to is all that remains of one of Ireland greatest ever country houses, The house had some 356 windows and belonged to the Montmorency family.
In its day in the mid-19th century, it was one of the finest (and largest) houses in Ireland at that time and compared well with Bessborough in Piltown.
Built around 1751 in the parish of Aghaviller, the Castlemorris estate was previously known as “Diore Lia” (a grey wood). Formerly home to the Morres and de Montmorency families, the family vault can still be seen in the local churchyard.
The churchyard also contains the remains of an ancient round tower. Built to protect the occupants and valuables of monastic settlements from Viking raids, these towers dot the Nore valley.
In 1924 the house was sold to the Land Commission. In the early 1930s it was unroofed and a demolition sale took place. Many parts of the house can be found in houses around the country.
The house itself was finally demolished in 1978. The grounds now merge with other Coillte woods, totalling approximately 2,000 acres in the district. Ms de Montmorency-Wright gave an excellent talk and should be complimented for her extensive research into her family and their association with Castlemorris.
Nigel Borrington 
Another interesting post Nigel. Pity the house was demolished. I sure would love to walk down that track in the second photo. So pretty 🙂
May 16, 2013 at 10:30 am
Hello Norma, yes It is amazing to think the house as completely gone.
The woods are wonderful and a credit to Kilkenny and the forestry people.
Thanks Norma, very pleased you enjoyed …..
May 16, 2013 at 10:57 am
Stunning! I really like the air of mystery surrounding the door and pathway. But Nigel, where do you ever find the time to sleep?!! : )))
May 16, 2013 at 10:39 am
Thanks Anne 🙂
Oh that’s simple, I just put my head down between posts and taking pictures, or on a river bank while molly swims away and around, throwing the odd stick now and then.
Thanks Anne, How can I get away from my blog – when I keep seeing Monty up above, he makes me 🙂 everyday !!!
May 16, 2013 at 10:54 am
You’re too sweet Nigel! : ))x
May 16, 2013 at 11:20 am
🙂 – the beauty of photography is it allows us to conceal as well as reveal. I’m always on the look out for ‘bits’ where carefully framing (and editing) can give a completely different feel to the outcome.
May 16, 2013 at 10:57 am
Hello Stephen….
Thank you, yes I am finding that I am moving closer and closer to subjects the last months.
Your own header with the hedges is a great example!
May 16, 2013 at 11:02 am
Thanks.
nowadays I’m tending to ‘look for the light’, it’s less what it is, more how the light falls on it.
May 17, 2013 at 8:12 am
Really good stuff Nigel, early days, but really enjoying your blog.
May 16, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Thank you, Very please you are enjoying yourself here !
May 16, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Mystically beautiful
indeed mystical dear
June 5, 2013 at 11:24 am
Hello 🙂
Thank you very much 🙂 for your visit and comment …..
June 5, 2013 at 5:49 pm
thank you dear
June 5, 2013 at 5:49 pm
🙂
June 5, 2013 at 5:51 pm