In a rare public address, the Eighth Marquis of Waterford (Lord Waterford) enthralled a packed Pugin Room at Lismore Castle when discussing the responsibility of tending to his estate at Curraghmore.
Speaking at the ‘Historic Gardens, Gardens and Demesnes of County Waterford’ seminar co-ordinated by Waterford County Council, Lord Waterford spoke of his inheriting the estate near Portlaw following his father’s passing in 1934.
He told the 140-strong audience that the 2,500 acre estate of gardens, woodlands and grazing fields, whose walls run for 12 miles, was cared for by his mother until he “came of age” in 1954.
“I was extremely fortunate in having a wonderful mother who looked after the property during The Emergency; otherwise known as World War II and also brought my brothers and myself up,” he said.
“And indeed, the history of Curraghmore and the fact that it still exists today is largely due to the ladies, the female members of my family; my mother, my grandmother and my great-grandmother.
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