PEER GIVES UP IRISH HOME

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1932, Page 5

PEER GIVES UP IRISH HOME

UNABLE TO BEAR NEW TAXES LONDON, May 16. Viscount Powerscourt,,his Majesty’s Lieutenant for County Wicklow, a Senator in the Parliament of Southern Ireland, and chairman of the Dublin Hospitals Sweepstakes Committee, may decide to leave Ireland. He stated last night that he cannot bear the financial burdens imposed by the new Free State Budget. Powerscourt Casle, County Wicklow, the home of his family for eight generations, is for sale by the Dublin firm of auctioneers, Battersby and Co. The estate of about 40,000 acres came into the hands of the family in 1600, when' Sir William Wingfield, Viscount Powerscourt of the first creation, was appointed Marshal of Ireland by Elizabeth. The present building stands on the site of the old castle, and some of the central walls, 10ft thick, belonged to the former medieval stronghold. The pleasure grounds are known the world over.

The late Viscount Powerscourt, who was a well-known connoisseur and lover of the beautiful in art and nature added to the charm of the place in many ways, and his collection of rare and beautiful bronzes and statuary adorns the terraces. The collection of pictures, which include works by Fra Filippo Lippi, Tintoretto, De Witte, Cuyp, Solomon, Lawrence, Morland, Vernet, Emanuel, Mirevedlt, and Parocel, is considered one of the finest in Ireland. Lord Powerscourt’s departure will, be a serious blow to County Wicklow, where he has taken a prominent part in public affairs and in agriculture.

When the Earl of Aberdeen was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1926-7, Lord Powerscourt served as Comptroller of the Household.