James Connolly (stonemason) facts for kids

James Connolly, also known as Conolly, was a skilled Irish stonemason from Adare, a town in County Limerick, Ireland. He is most famous for his important work on Adare Manor during the 19th century. He helped build this grand house and made sure everything was done perfectly.

Building Adare Manor

James Connolly was in charge of building Adare Manor for a very long time – 21 years! He supervised the entire construction project. This was a huge job, and he managed it from 1831 until he passed away in 1852.

There is a special message carved into the east side of Adare Manor. It honors James Connolly, calling him a "faithful friend and servant" of the Earl of Dunraven, who owned the manor. This shows how much he was respected.

A Special Tribute

James Connolly's amazing work was also recognized in a book. The 3rd Earl of Dunraven wrote a tribute to him in a book called "Memorials of Adare Manor." This tribute explains just how special James Connolly was.

It mentions that much of the building was designed by someone who wasn't a professional architect. Also, a large part of it was built without a main builder or project manager. Instead, James Connolly oversaw everything for 21 years. He was chosen by the Earl because he was so talented.

The tribute says that James Connolly completely earned the trust placed in him. He never made a single mistake, and the work he did was incredibly strong and well-built. It also describes him as a remarkable man with a strong mind, great natural taste, a pure heart, and a very honest character. He was steady, thoughtful, and incredibly dedicated to his work. The tribute ends by saying his memory should always be honored by those who live at Adare Manor.