The Avondhu

DAYS TO REMEMBER

With JIM LYSAGHT

It is many years ago now, but I will always remember the first time we ever took a rowing boat beyond Castlehyde, some of the older members of the Fermoy Rowing Club had dug into their own pockets to purchase two rowing boats in Kinsale. These were not the sleek, speedy boats of today, but at least they taught us about safety and being careful on the river.

One very fine Summer evening sticks in my memory, with Danny Burns, Pat Breen and his dog Bingo, Pat Barry from Marian Square we set sail upriver, passing by all the well known places like Doodles, The Island where Josie Donovan had a boathouse, Spiders, The Strand, the Rock, The-Echo Wall at the start of Castlehyde Wood, then on to Garners Island, keeping to the North side of the river away from the rocks. Soon we were passing by the Beech Wood, long since gone, on the South side of the river stood two very tall Beech trees, these trees were known for their smooth bark on which many Fermoy people had carved their initials.

Castlehyde came into view but we were not prepared for what we saw, in the lawn in front of the house an orchestra, whom we now know were the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra were playing and many couples were dancing. We wanted to see more, so we rowed upstream and waited until dusk, then left the boat drift silently downstream, finding a place to moor the boat, by this time it was quiet dark.

There on the lawn by the riverside we saw the dancers dancing to the strains of some waltz by Strauss, it was a sight to remember forever. When it got very late we went back to our boat and rowed back downriver, it was a night to remember. Some weeks later a very violent storm hit Castlehyde House and damaged the roof of the house, even stripping the lead sheeting. At that time I was serving my time as a plumber to Jim Roche and we were sent by Pyne Builders to repair and replace the lead, at that time the housekeeper at Castlehyde wa a very nice lady, Mrs Burrowes.

She invited us in for a cup of tea and told us about that big night in the house, and that there was very tight security as many of the guests were wearing very valuable jewellery. Needless to say I did not tell her about our little adventure that night.

AVON DHU

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2023-03-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-30T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://avondhu.pressreader.com/article/282939569554866

The Avondhu (Ireland)