Myrtle Grove, Youghal facts for kids
Myrtle Grove is a special house in Youghal, County Cork, Ireland. It's an Elizabethan house, which means it was built during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. What makes it unique is that it's a rare example of a 16th-century house in Ireland that wasn't built like a fort. It's located very close to the old Collegiate Church of St Mary Youghal.
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A Look at Myrtle Grove's Past
Myrtle Grove has a rich history with some famous people connected to it.
Sir Walter Raleigh's Home
From 1588 to 1589, the famous explorer and writer Sir Walter Raleigh lived in Myrtle Grove. He was an important figure in Queen Elizabeth I's court.
The Poet's Corner
It's believed that the poet Edmund Spenser wrote parts of his famous long poem, The Faerie Queene, in the South Gable of Myrtle Grove. However, some historians aren't sure if this story is completely true.
Changing Hands Over Time
In 1602, Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, bought the house from Sir Walter Raleigh's Irish properties. Boyle then leased it to his friend Sir Lawrence Parsons, who was a judge. Even though the house was changed a couple of times, it's still one of the best examples of a Tudor-style house in Ireland. Later, in the 1700s, the Hayman family bought the house.
20th Century Residents
In the 1900s, Sir Henry Arthur Blake and Lady Blake lived at Myrtle Grove. They had a large collection of paintings and sketches from the West Indies in the house. The Blakes lived there until they passed away and were buried in the garden.
Today, Myrtle Grove is still owned by a private family and is not open for visitors.
Fun Stories and Legends
Myrtle Grove is also known for some interesting legends.
The Potato Story
One popular story says that the first potatoes in Ireland (or even in Europe) were planted at Myrtle Grove. However, this is probably not true for Europe, because potatoes were already in Spain by 1536.
The Tobacco Tale
Another legend connected to Myrtle Grove is about Walter Raleigh and tobacco. The story goes that Raleigh was smoking tobacco, which was new at the time. A servant saw smoke coming from him and thought he was on fire! The servant quickly threw a bucket of water on Raleigh to put out the "fire." This same story is also told about some of Raleigh's other homes.
A Poem Inspired by Legend
A poem called "Myrtle Grove" was written by James Reiss in 2007. It tells the story of Edmund Spenser writing his epic poem, The Faerie Queene, while sitting by a special window in Raleigh's house.
Images for kids
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Myrtle Grove in the early 20th century
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