Centuries of history in Tarbert Co Kerry

Tarbert House, whose new windows will arrive this week.

Set in the heart of ancient woodland that skirts Tarbert Bay is a magnificent house that dates from 1690. This is Tarbert House an internationally known heritage building, that has been home to the Leslie family since the late 17th Century. The Leslie family arrived in these parts after being on the winning side of the Battle of the Boyne and count bishops and various titled Leslies in their ancestry. Currently undergoing renovations, the three storey house over a basement is an imposing structure with lovely views of rolling countryside and of the River Shannon.

With the Shanid Historical Society, I was privileged to visit this historic home last weekend with the impressive and knowledgeable Ursula Leslie as our guide. She provided us with a wealth of information about so many aspects of the history of this place; the family, the visitors, the contents. For the purposes of this post I will concentrate on just a few of the features I loved the most – the entrance hall, furniture and some assorted beautiful things.

The entrance hall is more of a huge room than a hall in the modern sense, and through it have stepped some significant historic figures, including Charlotte Bronte, Winston Churchill, Daniel O’Connell, Jonathan Swift and Benjamin Franklin. John Paul Jones, the father of the American Navy took refuge here.The Leslie family

The entrance hall with its elegant plasterwork coving had many uses. Here weapons were stored, family portraits graced the walls and entertainment was provided.

Entrance to Tarbert House. (Window shutters on the beautiful deep windows were closed as windows are being replaced )

Here is a most unusual fireplace –  one of a few in the house that are original and do not have a mantel.

An original fireplace – without a mantel

One of the most striking features of the entrance are the armour racks above the doors and on the walls.

A portrait hangs in the middle of a gun rack

Family crest in centre of weapon rack

Ornamental weapon storage

Clever folding trestles below the gun rack, on which a plank was laid for preparation of weapons

There are some excellent examples of original Irish furniture here – typified by being made from solid wood and not veneered. My favourite pieces are the chairs which were reversed and used when watching entertainment such as cock-fighting!

An Irish chair

How it was used for sporting activities!

Some examples of solid Irish furniture in the hall – a wonderful couch with very solid feet and a very elegant table!

An original couch..

carved withDolphins that swim in the River Shannon

Carving reflects local commerce and there are some very solid feet!

An Irish table stands of the tiled floor

The next room  had stunning views of the Shannon

and an eclectic collection of items from silverware to furniture to household items. At each end of the room is a beautifully carved mirror.

A Chippendale designed mantel mirror

Another Chippendale designed mirror, carved from a single piece of wood

I loved these two pieces – a ‘campaign’ chair  that predates Ikea and flat pack furniture by some time, and a campaign  chest

A brass bound campaign chest

The collapsible campaign chair

And how about some curtains that date from 1870…..that’s right, 1870! The pattern has been copied, most famously by Nancy Regan, and is known as the Tarbert Rose. The fabric is not heavy and seems to be possibly silk , and is very beautiful

Three more images that will stay with me

A curtain tie-back in the entrance hall

A plate warmer! Used to transport warmed plates to the dining room

Apart from the lovely harp on the landing, this stairwell is enhanced by original William Morriss (1834-1896) wallpaper.

There is also  an extensive collection of artwork in this house, including many portraits of members of the Leslie family and a parchment dating from 1813, petitioning the British House of Commons for Catholic Emancipation.

The house is crammed full of beautiful objects,each having a history and/or a story to tell. They are also very clearly part of a family, part of a home.

This house is open for visiting by appointment, in May, July and August each year and is well worth a visit, for Ursula Leslie will charm every one of her guests with stories,knowledge and facts that are truly astounding!