In
1651, Major de Burgh built a brick house at Moira. But soon
after, George Rawdon became the new owner of the house and
estate.
His son Arthur Rawdon, (1662-1695) was born and grew up here.
When he inherited the lands at Moira he rebuilt the Mansion
which became one of the most magnificent Castles in the country.
We have very little idea of what it looked like, except for
one drawing.
This drawing (note the reflection of the couple
in water) and an old
map of Moira, both indicate that the "small lough eastwards"
would have been just behind the wall at the corner of Station
Road.
Several
writers describe the mansion as a "commodious habitation,
(that means a home with lots of rooms)
surrounded by a wood, which affords beautiful walks, a large
lawn extends in front, where sheep feed, and is terminated
by trees, and a small Lough eastwards; the rear of the castle
grounds contains a wood, with large opening fronting the castle,
which forms a fine perspective (a beautiful
view)."
Arthur
was fascinated by stories of the exotic plants and seeds in
Jamaica so he sent a gardener called James Harlow to go to
Jamaica in 1692 to bring back plants for Moira.
In his estate he built the first hot-house in Europe. Frogs
were first discovered in Ireland at Moira, probably in the
magnificent botanical gardens.
(Bassett's History of Co. Down)
"The
trees included the Locust of Virginia, a tree 30ft high, and
of a trunk at least a foot and a half in diameter, bearing
a pod longer than any pea, and full of honey, supposed to
be the food that Saint John the Baptist lived on in the wilderness."
(MOIRA A Historical Handbook by Rev. Canon C.R.J. Rudd former
Rector of Moira)
Sadly
Sir Arthur lived only a short time to enjoy the garden he
created and loved. But what a magnificent castle and demesne
he built in less than 11 years!
Showing
the line of the avenues and tunnel between the Church and
the castle
Some
years later the family built the Parish church directly opposite
the drive to the Castle. They also dug a tunnel from the castle
grounds to the church. Perhaps that was how the servants went
to church, for the journey can hardly be appropriate for gentry
of the day!
Doors
that once hung on the entrance to the Castle Ballroom are
now used as the West door in St John's Church and the bannister
rails are now the church communion rails.
In
later years, when sewers and water pipes were laid, the tunnel
was abandoned. An entry point is still visible in the demesne.
For
many years it was possible to see the "long" and
"round" ponds, the Dark Walk (a tree-lined avenue
cut down during World War II) and a well preserved ice-house.
It is a shame so much has been lost.
The
are widely differing dates given for the demolishing of the
Castle but it seems most probable that it took place at the
latter end of the 18th Century.
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