Sketch of Clonderlaw House 1990 by Paul Markham

 

Clonderlaw House

Clonderlaw House is a building of considerable architectural and historical interest and is worthy of conservation together with its outbuildings and grounds. Despite its derelict state, the house retains many features of interest from a variety of building periods including the mediaeval features of the basement, the external stone details, main staircase, sash windows and entrance door. Also of particular interest are the decorative plasterwork ceilings on the bundled-reed backing to the ground floor rooms.

The house contains a total of nineteen rooms. Adjacent to the house are the out-offices and a large walled kitchen garden. The drive which encircles the lawn is known as the carriage road and the two remaining entries are the back road and castle road.

In 1878 the attached estate to Clonderlaw house consisted of six hundred and fifty-three acres with a rateable valuation of £467.

The current state of the house is of concern. If the building and its features are to survive, I believe it is essential that steps be taken urgently to secure the building from further damage from the elements until such time as conservation works can be carried out.

The house is nicely situated at the verge of Clonderlaw bay. Five generations of the Studdert family resided here. First of the Studderts to arrive at Clonderlaw in the mid 1740’s was Richard, younger brother of Thomas, at Bunratty castle. Frances Louisa Gore (nee Studdert) was the final member of the fifth generation to live at Clonderlaw House; her death occurred in August 1951.

 

Michael O’Driscoll   1925 – 2002

Michael gone home to final resting place

It is fitting to write a few sentences as a tribute to Michael O’Driscoll who was called to his eternal home on Friday November 8^th                                        

Michael was a great husband, father, neighbour and friend.  He was born on June 3^rd 1925 and as a scholar attended Coolmeen National School with class comrades in Paddy Ryan, Josie Grace and the late Chris Galvin – it was as if they were hand picked, all of these people were great characters and the stories from the school days are too numerous to tell here.  

Michael grew up in Clonderlaw in a family of nine. The O’Driscoll family was a close net one and believed in keeping the old tradition of Ireland alive

The Wren and house dances were synomonous with Clonderlaw. Michael and his siblings were very talented musicians, dancers and singers.

Michael was no exception and on several outings played the bodhran, for several years took part in the Clonderlaw Wren.

The older generation will remember the cuaird, the card playing and story telling at Clonderlaw House.

Michael was a man full of humour and devilment and was always anxious for the chat. He gloried when people passing the lodge stopped for a chat. In the darkest of days he kept to the bright side.

Michael will mostly be remembered for his love of horses he had a keen interest in them and only stocked the best, most reliable and profitable at one stage he had as many as eight on the farm.

He traveled to several agricultural shows and obtained top prizes. If you mix in equestrian circles, you will be familiar with horse names such as Mighty Man, One Wing, Clonderlaw Girl, Dark Record and Inis Mac Naughton all of these trace their roots to Clonderlaw and the O’Driscoll family 

Many of the older generation will recall meeting Michael on Sunday afternoons at Jacko’s Pub. He loved to pay his weekly trip for a few pints of Guinness and a cigarette. There in the good old days, he was the man everybody wanted to meet for the chat and laughter.

During recent years when I passed by Clonderlaw lodge in my horse and trap Michael couldn’t resist making tracks to the cross, waving me down and examing the full rig out. On a few occasions he came for a short trip to the bridge and I remember him saying “ it’s the only way of traveling don’t mind the motor car.”

Michael was a great lover of nature and the environment he was always to be seen walking the pathways of Clonderlaw followed by Shep the sheepdog. He loved to walk to the bridge, walk the wood and view the wildlife at the Quay. He had a great knowledge of various species of flora and fauna.

He was a remarkable man, that never complained even during his final months. Michael is going to be missed; it will be very difficult to replace such a character. Michael your jokes, laughter and humor will live on through memories.

When somebody died in the locality Michael when breaking the news, never said that Mickey, Pat or Kate had died he never used that word. He always said they are gone home - so today let us reflect on Michael O’Driscoll as just gone home.

To his daughter Marion, son- in- law Kevin, grandchild Orla, sister Peg, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends, I, on behalf of the community extend my deepest sympathy.

Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis.      Paul Markham.