The structure is a series of visual allusions to famous Irish and English homes that the Dunravens admired. It is replete with curious eccentricities such as the turreted entrance tower at one corner rather than in the centre, 52 chimneys to commemorate each week of the year, 75 fireplaces and 365 leaded glass windows. The lettered text carved into the front of the south parapet reads: "Except the Lord build the house, the labour is but lost that built it." The elaborate decoration is a miracle of stonework - arches, gargoyles, chimneys and bay windows. The interior spaces are designed on a grand scale. One of the most renowned interior spaces is the Minstrel's Gallery: 132 foot long, 26-1/2 foot high expanse inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and lined on either side with 17th Century Flemish Choir Stalls. The private rooms hardly pale in comparison to the public rooms with elaborately decorated stone and wood craftsmanship and sweeping views of the river.
The 840 acre estate that surrounds the Manor House consists of sweeping parklands, cultivated gardens, formal French gardens, magnificent mature trees, and the River Maigue, one of Ireland’s best trout rivers. The Formal Gardens were laid out in geometric box patterns by P.C. Hardwick in the 1850's. The assortment of trees include the magnificent Cedar of Lebanon on the river bank (approximately 350 years old), the 180 year old Beeches, Monkey Puzzles, Cork, Aspen and Flowering Cherry. Among the trees southwest of the Manor are Ogham Stones which were “imported” from Kerry by Edwin, the Third Earl of Dunraven. Ogham Stones date from the early Fifth Century to the middle of the Seventh Century. They are mainly Christian in context and are usually associated with old churches or early Christian burial sites. Ogham inscriptions are in an early form of Irish, frequently followed by Latin inscriptions and often read from the bottom upwards. A pet cemetery is located close to the Ogham Stones with carved memorials to the Dunraven pets. History continued...
