kylemore castle

A bothy for the gardeners

@JudyEv (382337)

Rockingham, Australia

April 24, 2023 10:32am CST

Mitchell Henry, builder of Kylemore Castle, was very wealthy but was also a concerned landlord who provided well for his tenants, including building a school for the children. The collage shows the ‘bothy’, a Scottish term for a workman’s hut or shelter. While this may seem basic compared to today, in those days it would have been a big improvement on most Connemara homes. The head gardener’s house was almost palatial for those days. I’ll write about it soon.

14 people like this

13 responses

@Beestring (15372)

• Hong Kong

24 Apr 23

The "bothy" looks okay to me. You know, even today, a lot of families in HK are living in a 100-120 sq. ft room.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

That's true. And we had a couch-surfer stay with us who had a very tiny apartment when she lived in Germany.

2 people like this

@nicegolden (413)

• Shenzhen, China

25 Apr 23

still some homeless

2 people like this

@BarBaraPrz (51837)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

24 Apr 23

Two fireplaces? What luxury!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

I guess if you needed any sort of warmth you needed a fireplace in every room. We have radiators in each room here.

2 people like this

@shaggin (74987)

• United States

24 Apr 23

Sounds like he was a very kind man and those employed by him were very lucky!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

He was a generous man who did a lot of good in the region.

2 people like this

@rebelann (117259)

• El Paso, Texas

24 Apr 23

Can you imagine what someone of that timeframe would think of todays world and the things we consider extremely basic? Of course there are still those in poor countries who still don't have it as good as even the most basic in our 2 countries

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@rebelann (117259)

• El Paso, Texas

25 Apr 23

Many of us are really spoiled and don't know it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

You're right on all counts. This would indeed by luxury for some.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

@rebelann That's for sure. I try to be grateful for all I have.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

24 Apr 23

It looks comfortable for the time. Thanks for sharing.

2 people like this

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

24 Apr 23

@JudyEv Yes, it would.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

You're welcome. It would be a little haven out of the cold and wet.

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@Kandae11 (57230)

•

24 Apr 23

I can just imagine what the head gardener's house would look like.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

I'm put some photos up soon but of course the castle was even more exotic.

1 person likes this

@m_audrey6788 (58468)

• Germany

24 Apr 23

It is still nice

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

It's not bad really, is it?

1 person likes this

@m_audrey6788 (58468)

• Germany

25 Apr 23

@JudyEv Yes. It is not bad. As long as you maintain it clean

1 person likes this

@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

24 Apr 23

Yes it would have been so much appreciated and used.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

For its time, it was probably quite luxurious.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502653)

• Italy

25 Apr 23

For those days I think this was a great place.

1 person likes this

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@LadyDuck (502653)

• Italy

26 Apr 23

@JudyEv They valued more the gardens than the inside.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

It seemed no expense was spared in the garden area.

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@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

@LadyDuck A productive garden would have enhanced their living a great deal.

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@DaddyEvil (174590)

• United States

24 Apr 23

I've seen, but never lived in, houses that small. If I was single and Pretty didn't live with me, it would be okay.

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@DaddyEvil (174590)

• United States

26 Apr 23

@JudyEv Exactly!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

Me too. What more do you need really?

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@wolfgirl569 (135910)

• Marion, Ohio

24 Apr 23

That looks like a great home for the time

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Apr 23

It was for the time. You're quite right.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (35069)

• United Kingdom

24 Apr 23

I like those little places, they look cosy although I guess they might have been cold and draughty.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

A fireplace in every room tells its own story to a degree.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (35069)

• United Kingdom

24 Apr 23

@JudyEv Indeed, and of course the main one is also the cooker.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222623)

• United States

30 Apr 23

The bothy actually looks quite cozy.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382337)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 May 23

I was surprised how nice it was. Plenty of homeless would give their eye teeth for it.

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