Cappagh History and Grounds
The original house at Cappagh was built in the early 1800’s
by Richard Ussher. This house is infront of the stable yard
and the wings of the house extend back to form a completely
enclosed quadrant – useful in the past to keep cattle
and sheep raiders away. The house has been uninhabited since
the 1950’s.
In 1875 Richard Ussher’s grandson built a second house
on a more elevated site with wonderful views to a lake across
green parkland. It was designed by an engineer who was building
the local railway from Dungarvan to Mallow and is the present
main house. On a slope with woodland behind it, the house is
well sheltered, nestled into the contours of the land and it
now boasts a marvellous garden, with colour almost all year
round.
Cappagh Estate is now owned by the Chavasse family. Oonah Chavasse
bought the house in 1944, having dreamt for 3 successive nights
that she would live there. She was living in Castletownshend
in West Cork and travelled up just in time to buy the house
at auction without even time to look around!
Oonah’s husband Kendal (‘The Colonel’) returned
to embark on his new career as a farmer after the war, which
he embraced with great enthusiasm. He was a founder member of
the Irish Farmers’ Association and very involved with
the local agricultural show. He was also a keen hunting man
and was secretary of the West Waterford Hunt for 19 years.
In the mid 1980's, Kendal's son Hal took over the farm and
was also in charge of the forestry at Lismore Castle. He enjoys
managing the woodlands at Cappagh and is still very much involved
in the running of the farm, along with his son Charles, who
is one of the local vets. Charles is married to Claire who
is kept busy managing the holiday cottages as well as their
2 young children, amongst other things! |
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The estate consists of about 200 acres, half of which is grazing
farmland and the remainder is made up of woodland, natural habitat
and farm buildings. Guests are welcome to explore the estate
with attractive walks over farmland and through the woods where
deer, red squirrels and foxes may be seen. There is also a badgers
set in the ruins of an old school at the top of the ‘School
Hill’, and ravens and sparrow hawks soar above the woods
where they are nesting.
A wonderful old walled garden houses a rambling orchard with
many of the older varieties of apple trees. There are also a
few pears, plums, soft fruits and a large old and often abundant
fig tree (September/October only!). Next to the orchard is an
area known as ‘The American Grounds’. During the
potato famine of 1845 a man-made lake was dug, formal walks
were laid out around the lake and the ruins of an early 16th
Century fortified house were partially restored as a folly.
The work done at this time was reputedly overseen by an American,
hence the name. He also planted many rhododendrons and there
is hardly a month of the year where there isn’t one in
bloom somewhere on the estate. Each year a pair of swans rear
a family of cygnets on the lake and herons nest in the surrounding
trees. Flocks of duck can be seen at times, coming in-land for
shelter from the sea.
Walks in the American Grounds these days are far less ‘formal’
and wellington boots and a sense of adventure are much more
in order! |
