Sheep, Saints, and Scholars (Part Two)

Russborough House

About one o’clock we reached our next destination Russborough House, which was vaguely reminiscent of Downton Abbey. Built between 1741 and 1755 by the first Earl of Milltown Joseph Leeson (Leeson Street in Dublin, where I sometimes catch the bus is named for his family), it is now a museum. In 1952, Sir Alfred and Lady Beit bought Rossborough to house their extensive art collection, and in 1977 created the Alfred Beit Foundation that now manages the property. We were given a tour of the house, allowed to go through the maze, and then given a sheep herding demonstration. There have been four art robberies from the house so most of the Beit’s collection is now in the National Art Museum, though some of the art is still in the house. It was absolutely lovely.

Centre of Maze

When we had arrived we were supposed to have a picnic, but as it looked like it would rain again we ate in the parking lot. The sandwiches were delicious, and as it began to rain we all ran to the café adjacent to the house where we all got a hot drink to warm us up since most of us were soaking wet. They took us through the house in small groups and then we were all directed toward the maze, which we all thought would be easy…it was not. My friends and I made it to the centre easily enough, but it was a bit of the struggle getting back out again. As we waited for our classmates to finish the maze we sat by the playground, and as people came out, they began playing on the jungle gym…with the five year olds. It was quite funny, but we felt bad for the little Irish children that wanted to play on the equipment that college students had occupied.

 

Once all out we were taken by our drivers to a small field with Farmer Michael and his border collies, Flash and Dell, gave us a sheep herding demonstration. I love sheep, you might not know that, but I adore farm animals. These dogs were so intelligent, it was extraordinary. They knew dozens of commands and responded to whistles as well as words; it was amazing. Seeing the sheep run around was so cute and the way they were herded by the dogs was adorable. Near the end Farmer Michael asked for a few volunteers to show us why the dogs were so important, to humorous effect. Luckily I got some of that on video, for your entertainment as well as mine. That was our last activity of the day, and we all loaded onto the bus about 5 o’clock to make our way back him. I might think of myself as a city girl, but I will admit it is hard not to love Ireland’s beautiful landscape.  

Farmer Michael and his sheep. There was even a baby one.

Some people got to hold the baby lamb! So jealous!