Product Description

Written about by novelists and poets, the "Big House" has been a part of the Irish landscape for over 400 year. This anthology portrays life in the big house in a chronological structure, the aim being to create a documentary history, good or bad, of the role of the Big House in Ireland.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1087726 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

About the Author
Valerie Pakenham is married to Thomas Pakenham with whom she compiled DUBLIN: A TRAVELLER'S COMPANION. Her first book was THE NOONDAY SUN: EDWARDIANS IN THE TROPICS. Thomas Pakenham's books include THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA, THE BOER WAR and the bestselling MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE TREES. They live in Tullynally Castle in County Westmeath, one of the Big Houses of Ireland.

Customer Reviews

A witty and facinating anthology of life in the Big House
Valerie Pakenham has achieved what few others have, a simply delicious account of life up and down stairs, inside and out of an institution which has been part of Irish life for centuries, the "big house". Through letters and diary entries, the author has given an all too rare insight into life in the drawing room and what to do with not so "posh neighbours", how to survive the penal laws and what the housekeeper saw (and did!). The fabulous Victorian gagets and Mr Edgeworths'central heating system of the early 19th century installed in the Pakenham household. This wonderful book is far superior to the usual heritage-industry stuff. Well worth a read!