Lissadell House, County Sligo

The pilasters are painted with a remarkable series of life-sized murals that include the gamekeeper forester and also the butler - the faithful Kilgallon who had accompanied Sir Henry to the Arctic and saved his life by shooting the bear that stands stuffed in the front hall. These icon-like murals are the work of Count Casimir Markievicz, the Polish husband of Constance whom she met at the Paris Art School. Her later exploits are well known; she became involved in the Dublin Lockout of 1913, took part in the 1916 rebellion, was imprisoned and later reprieved from a death sentence, became the first elected female West minster MP, and later served as Minister of Labour in the first Irish government. She died in 1927, a year after the death of Eva, her equally renowned poet sister.

Some of Constance's own artistic efforts line the walls of the grand staircase along with illuminated addresses presented to her brother, Sir Josslyn Gore Booth (1869-1944), in recognition of his contribution to the co-operative movement. Sir Josslyn was responsible for establishing the creameries still operating in Sligo and Leitrim; at Lissadell he developed the resources of the estate, planting enormous numbers of trees, building a sawmill, an engineering works and a sewing school and greatly expanding the vegetable and flower gardens. As part of this policy, an important daffodil nursery was built up which later gave rise to many famous cultivars.

After 1944 the government assumed responsibility for the administration of the estate when Sir Josslyn's eldest son was made a ward of the court after a nervous breakdown. During this time the estate went into sharp decline, resulting in the felling of much fine woodland and the compulsory sale in 1968 of 2,600 acres by the Land Commission, leaving only 400 acres around the house. Lissadell now belongs to Sir Josslyn's grandson and, despite its troubles over recent decades, remains here still - a memorial to a family who for generations contributed selflessly to the well-being of Ireland and its people.

Located in Drumcliffe, 20 miles north of Sligo off the Sligo-Bundoran Road. NGR: G 6346. Open daily except Sundays, June-September. Tea, coffee and cake available in the old kitchen craft shop. Toilet facilities. Admission charge. Groups should book in advance.

From the Appletree Press title: Irish Country Houses.