Castle Coole's hidden servant's tunnel Co Fermanagh
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- Опубликовано: 18 фев 2016
- We are down in Co Fermanagh for a few days and we called into the extensive scenic grounds of Castle Coole. I was totally amazed when I came upon this hidden underground servant's tunnel at Castle Coole. This is only one of two such tunnels in the whole of Irekand! The tunnel links the Grand Yard which held the servant's quarters for the big house to that main house. The idea I presume was that those lords and ladies would not see or bump into any of the lower servant class by any unfortunate accident. Again any nosey servant could not gaze where they should not have gazed i e upon the features and attire of their masters.
The invisible Servant
The fashion in the 1800s onwards for disguising the service wings led to feats of architectural engineering. In the country, where space was more available. In both town and country means of access between the main house and the servant's wings were kept to the absolute minimum.
In some large houses from the beginning of the 19th century, enormous and ingenious efforts of building and design were employed to keep the staff out of sight. The service wings were often only accessed by underground tunnels as at Rockingham house and Castle Coole, both, in Ireland. And so it was that the neat Neoclassical lines of Castle Coole, a picturesque idyll unspoilt by any hint of the servants who were in fact toiling, out of sight, underground.
Please check out Aislinn Hagan's most excellent RUclips video on Castle Coole recalling personal recollections from live in maid Nelly Scott and her work times there. Nelly happily paints a more positive picture of her duties and life below stairs.
Link • Castle Coole Nelly Scott
That's the tunnel I would have had to use... McAreavy / Mac Giolla Riabhaigh - Son of the Brindled Servant. Fascinating story about the old lady, still had her sense of place.
+baconsoda Great reply Brendan!
Class structure/prejudice was very much in evidence back then and it is still about today, though to a lesser extent thank goodness.
I love watching your Videos,of everything And anything.. they're Very interesting thanks For sharing them with Us 😊
+shelly G tennant
Hey shelly G tennant, Thanks for getting in touch and thanks for your very encouraging comment. Comments like that make what I do feel really worthwhile. I apprecaite it a lot!
Tom McClean you're welcome ,keep up the good work :) :)
visited there the other week! :)
Hey Lisel Castle coole is a fabulous spot for all sorts of reasons. Thanks for calling in.
You fairly get about the place Tom
+skeligandrew
Like the old Beach boys song!
I just want to be out there filming there are so many good stories to tell and super places of interest. Thanks for calling in!