One last image for the moment from Cappoquin House, County Waterford (see Risen from the Ashes, 4th March). Here the central panel from an 18th century chimneypiece removed from the building before the fateful fire of 1923 and reinstated in the drawing roomm (now billiard room) following restoration. The carved marble is a complete delight, filled with enchanting details, whether the dog at his master’s feet, the obelisk in the field behind or even the smoke rising from a cottage further back. A little late for Easter but never mind: it’s a wonderful tribute to Irish craftsmanship.
Reminds me of a house in Suffolk that the Police used as a training centre, particularly for bomb search techniques. As the resident commander of the bomb squad in Colchester I was involved in the training. Search techniques were supposed to be non-destructive but I an only imagine how many times panels were levered from walls and crudely replaced. Time and uncommon use had definitely taken its toll on this poor building. I used to enjoy walking through the very overgrown gardens trying to imagine what the place must have been like in its heyday.
I believe the place had been acquired by the government in lieu of death duty. Now we were slowly blowing it up. Criminal, don’t you think?