sir lucius o'brien's farms. 63 



the rear, are the stables and farm-buildings, commodious 

 and well arranged, and hid from view by the overhang- 

 ing woods ; while, farther up, the extensive gardens are 

 seen in successive terraces, crowned by a very picturesque 

 cottage under the trees at the summit. 



On 22d October I accompanied Sir Lucius in a walk 

 over five or six of his farms in the neighbourhood of the 

 castle. Two of these farms have excellent houses and 

 farm-buildings, and are beautifully situated on the rich 

 slopes overlooking the Fergus and the lower Shannon. 

 They each possess a considerable tract of these rich 

 " corcase " lands, attached to fine dry arable land, gently 

 sloping up from them. All these farms are situated within 

 a short distance of water-carriage on the Shannon, and 

 about twelve miles from the city of Limerick. When left 

 in its natural state, the land immediately rising from 

 these flats is of the richest feeding quality — a deep, black, 

 earthy soil — dry, and admirably adapted for grazing or 

 green crops. One or two excellent farms are to be let 

 here, which are well worth the examination of farmers. 



On the opposite side of the Fergus is the farm of 

 Island Magrath, which by many is considered one of 

 the best farms in Ireland. It is extensive — between 

 300 and 400 Irish acres — and is at present to be let 

 at a moderate rent ; it is said, for something under 20s. 

 an English acre. It is the property of the Marquis of 

 Conyngham. 



From the river Fergus, along the north bank of the 

 Shannon to Limerick, the country is all of this natu- 

 rally fertile character. Passing the old ruined castle of 

 Bunratty, which is beautifully situated close to the 



