Mountain Lodge, Glengarra Wood was built as a Shooting Lodge for the First Viscount Lismore, Cornelius O’Callaghan on what was part of Shanbally Castle Estate (1810) which, with Mountain Lodge, was designed by John Nash, one of the most important Regency Architects of the early 19th century.
John Nash was the designer of London’s Regent Street and Regent’s Park, with the credit of the work which saw Buckingham House become Buckingham Palace and the architect of the fairylike rustic Swiss Cottage or Cottage Orné in Cahir.
“As It Was at the Lodge” on Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th will allow you to step back in time and explore the elegance of the Victorian era at Mountain Lodge. Through an engaging live demonstration of historical costume and period dress, costume historian Melissa Shiels, will deliver a captivating presentation bringing 19th-century fashion to life) on both days. Melissa will be costumed and available throughout the day for questions and photo opportunities.
Also free on both days is a demonstration of what would constitute a Victorian Picnic Basket and on Sunday Butter Churning and Wool Spinning.
Ticketed activities on Saturday include an Art Plein Air Workshop with Deirdre Dunne, Floral Art Demos with Glengarra Flower & Garden Club and Bygone Bites – the Preparation and Presentation of the fare and cuisine of the era with Galty Valley Catering. A ticketed Willow Weaving workshop also takes place on Sunday with Elaine Feely.
All Ticketed Events must be pre-booked on www.eventbrite.com (plus booking fee) or contact Breeda on 087 6967661 and 086 159 7719 (no booking fee).
An added bonus is that there will be a free shuttle bus from Glengarra carpark on both days and all are welcome to the Lodge on both days for tea/coffee & cake (€6). This Event is funded by Creative Ireland at Tipperary Heritage Office.
OUTSIDE OF THE ACTIVITIES
Mountain Lodge, the Conservation and Restoration of which is being guided by Burncourt Community Council is well worth a visit, being a Protected Structure. Once the hunting lodge of Viscount Lismore, visited in 1903 by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, inhabited on occasion by Lady Beatrice Pole-Carew and Lady Constance Butler, daughters of the Marquis of Ormond to whom it was bequeathed by the last Viscount Lismore.
Before you walk through the original front door of Mountain Lodge, your experience begins with the South facing Round Bay, the wrought iron of the valance, the overhanging eaves, and the historic lime render. The Neo-Gothic small pane timber sash windows, the fine glazing bars with the beautiful trefoil tracery feature to the top sashes lends to your experience in greeting the wonderful architecture of the 19th century.
As you enter the Lodge, you will be astounded that so much of the original building has survived-the panelled doors, fireplaces, the decorative cornices and plasterwork and ceilings, the window shutters, and the timber floors. You will see the wall mounted gas fittings which for a long time was the only source of lighting.
But the piéce de résistance, the most remarkable feature is that of the architecturally proportioned locally referred to as the Round Drawing Room. One can only be in awe of the workmanship and the time involved in the crafting of the curved doors in perfect operation to this day. This is really the jewel in the crown of Mountain Lodge.
Mountain Lodge was leased to An Óige in the 1930s, converted into a Youth Hostel and opened in 1939 and maintained as such until 2012.
Following their departure, Mountain Lodge was vandalised twice, the roof destroyed and the windows damaged, leaving the building in a very vulnerable condition.
In 2015. a decision was made by Burncourt Community Council to research the work involved in the restoration of Mountain Lodge to its former glory and as an amenity for the future. This resulted in Burncourt Community Council leasing the building with the objective of both the conservation & restoration of this iconic structure. A Conservation Report was commissioned to guide the Restoration process
Though progress has been gentle, to date the following has been achieved. Starting with Replacement of the Roof new chutes and soffit and repair of the thirteen Neo- Gothic windows, a survey of the existing wastewater system has been carried out and replaced with a bio-cycle system which had to be realigned with the existing sewage system.
The building has been rewired and a heating system installed. Treatment of wet rot system in some rooms has been dealt with. Some external groundwork has been completed and a power supply has been installed. Where much work is yet to be completed, the lodge sits in beautiful splendour at the foot of the Galtee mountains and we look forward to welcoming you to Mountain Lodge over the weekend of July 26th and 27th.
