Product Description

The big Irish House has haunted the Irish landscape and Irish imagination for nearly four hundred years. Gaelic poets cursed or celebrated its power. Irish historians have debated its role for good or ill in the countryside. And generations of Irish novelists have made it a central presence in their books. In this anthology the idiosyncratic life in the Big House is portrayed in a chronological structure creating a documentary history full of splendour and tragedy. This fascinating book is illustrated with contemporary drawings, engravings, maps and paintings and by Thomas Pakenham s evocative photographs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #815560 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 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!