Curraghchase Forest Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curraghchase Forest Park |
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Entrance
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 Curraghchase Forest Park
Location in Ireland
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| Location | Kilcornan, Limerick, Ireland |
| Area | 774 acres (3 km2) |
| Governing body | Coillte |
Curraghchase is a huge forest park in County Limerick, Ireland. It covers about 774-acre (3 km2) of land. The park is located about 20 kilometers from Limerick city. You can find it between the towns of Adare and Askeaton.
For over 300 years, from 1657 to 1957, this land was the home of the Hunt/de Vere family. A famous poet named Aubrey Thomas De Vere lived here. Today, Curraghchase is a popular place for visitors to enjoy nature and history.
Ancient Discoveries
Curraghchase Forest Park is home to several ancient sites. There are 8 important historical spots found within the park. These include an old stone mound called a cairn. You can also find two enclosures, which are old fenced-off areas.
There are three ringforts, which were round forts used long ago. A tall standing stone also stands in the park. The main house, built in the 1700s, might even be on the site of an older castle called Curragh Castle.
Nature and Wildlife
The park is mostly covered with different types of trees. You'll see broadleaf trees and mixed woodlands. There are also some older conifer trees. Part of the park is open land, and some areas are covered by water.
The woods grow on low hills made of limestone. Special efforts are made to protect rare Yew trees (Taxus Baccata) here. Other conservation projects are also happening. For example, a new summer home was built for the Lesser horseshoe bat.
You might also spot some interesting birds. The hawfinch is a rare bird in Ireland. But it visits Curraghchase regularly in winter. Flocks of 15 to 30 hawfinches can be seen. The brambling is another bird that often visits in winter.
A Look Back in Time
The story of Curraghchase began in 1657. A man named Vere Hunt built the first Curragh House. He was an officer in Oliver Cromwell's army. Hunt was given this land as part of the Cromwellian plantations. The land was originally owned by John Fitzgerald.
The Hunt/De Vere family lived on this estate for more than 300 years. The house you see today was rebuilt in the early 1800s. Sir Aubrey (Hunt) de Vere, 2nd Baronet oversaw this rebuilding.
The estate was first called Curragh, which means 'marshy plain' in Irish. In 1833, the 2nd Baronet changed his last name to de Vere. He also changed the property's name from Curragh to Curraghchase. This was to honor his family's history.
Sir Aubrey, the 2nd Baronet, was a well-known poet. His third son, Aubrey Thomas De Vere, also became a very famous poet and critic.
Young Aubrey remembered that the lake near the house was once a green meadow. A small stream ran through it. Across the lake, there is a monument for the de Vere family on a small hill. Near the house, you can find a small cemetery for the family's pets.
The famous poet Tennyson visited Curraghchase as a guest. He even wrote a poem called Lady Clara Vere de Vere. This poem showed his close friendship with the family.
Sadly, the house was destroyed by a fire in December 1941. The Irish government bought the grounds in 1957. Today, the land is used for growing timber. Part of the forest is also a public park. It has walking trails, camping, and caravan facilities. This makes Curraghchase a popular place for tourists.
The Lady of the Lake Legend
On the east side of the old house, there is a lake that was made by people. Old maps show a small island in this lake called Lady's Island.
During his visit, Tennyson once said he saw a mysterious arm reach out of the water. He called it the "mystic arm of the Lady of the Lake."
About a hundred years later, during a Christmas party at the house, a loud cry was heard. It was so strong that people inside could hear it over a storm. When they looked out at the lake, they saw a glowing figure of a woman. She seemed to be pointing towards Curraghchase.
It was during this storm that a tree branch crashed through a window. It knocked over candles, starting a fire that destroyed the house. People say that on every Christmas Eve after that, a glowing figure of a woman can be seen floating on the lake's waters.
