Castle Desmond. S77 



miles on our way from Limerick. The noble 

 woods and extensive ruins that surround the 

 site of Castle Desmond, convey lofty ideas of 

 the splendor which preceded the misfortunes of 

 the Desmond family, whose efforts, about three 

 hundred years ago, made so conspicuous a figure 

 in the annals of the country. 



The architecture of the religious houses is in 

 a superior style of Gothic to any thing we have 

 hitherto met with in Ireland. The chapel of 

 one of the monasteries has been recently re- 

 paired by Lord Adair, and reflects great credit 

 on his Lordship's taste and liberality. On the 

 death of the Earl of Desmond in the year 1583, 

 the title and patrimonial property, consisting of 

 five hundred and seventy-four thousand acres, 

 were forfeited, at which time estates amounting 

 to two hundred and thirty-seven thousand acres 

 were granted to Sir William Herbert, Charles 

 Herbert, and others, with a reserved rent of 

 two thousand three hundred and seventy-two 

 pounds eighteen shillings and six-pence. Dur- 

 ing the unfortunate rebellion, which was the 

 destruction of this noble family, the number of 

 cattle which at times were taken by adverse 

 parties seems incredible : on one occasion two 

 thousand cows, four thousand sheep, and one 



