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| BIRR CASTLE, KING'S CO. -Few buildings in Ireland have passed through as many "battles, sieges and fortunes" as the renovated castle pictured by our artist. During the wars of the Commonwealth, it changed hands several times, and again, it was battered by the cannon of Sarsfield in 1690. Most of the old structure was pulled down by Sir William Parsons in 1778, and the existing edifice, of which only the hall and centre portion are ancient, was erected in its stead. Many additions and improvements have since been made, and the castle, although by no means beautiful, is one of the most commodious in Ireland. The grounds are delightful and many interesting ruins of the original fortress, so often beleaguered, are scattered among them. But the most striking object of all is the grand telescope of the late Lord Rosse, dealt with at some length in another sketch. The castle, before the reign of James I., belonged to the O'Carrolls of Ely, who were dispossessed because of their fidelity to country and creed. Although the Parsons family come in as usurpers, many of them have been much more Irish than English in their sympathies; but the most illustrious of the house, not excepting the great scientist, was the intrepid Sir Lawrence, "of that ilk," who stood so manfully by Henry Grattan in "the eloquent war" against the Union 98 years ago. |
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