The House That Mr. Darcy Built

Joni Mitchell definitely knew what she was talking about when she said, "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot." It seems the people in the town of Longford have done just this to the glorious Carrig Glas Manor.

I was told about a house in the middle of Ireland (more north than south) that was built by Thomas Lefroy in 1837. Mr Lefroy, it seems, was once an aquaintance of the one-and-only Jane Austen. Some speculate that it was Mr. Lefroy who inspired the character Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Could such a man as Mr. Darcy really have existed? My curiousity was too much to ignore so I decided to head down to Longford last Saturday. My guide book promised that tours were given from 11am to 5pm and that there would indeed be a gift shop. The book also said that the house was still owned by the Lefroy family and that the house was a gothic revival style manor. I set off with visions of one grand grey house in mind.

After driving for three hours on badly marked roads through blink-and-you'll-miss-'em towns like Butler's Bridge and Bellananagh, I arrived at a massive stone wall just outside of Longford.

(Exhibit A: the stone wall)


There were numerous construction signs and estate agency photos promising luxurious condos posted along the crumbling stone wall. This wall went on forever. Mr. Lefroy was definitely a man of impressive wealth...much like a certain literary character, but moving on...

I drove around this wall twice (still raining). To give you an idea of how big this wall is, I spent 20 minutes driving around the property...once. There was no way to enter. What was with all of this construction? Surely this is the right place. Giant old stone wall. Road signs a few miles back with "Carrigglas Manor." New condos called Carrig Glas Dreams or whatever. Where was my house?

Folks, I am sad to say this impressive, gorgeous house is being turned into a 19 room hotel. Here's a website with more details (if you can stomach anymore details about the changes this place is undergoing) http://www.carrigglas.ie/carrig-glas-manor-house.php

And just to be sure that I was in fact at the right giant old stone wall I called the info number on the website. The estate agent confirmed that the grounds would one day include a large hotel, a golf course, gulp - shops and pubs - and just to put the dagger in my heart, the manor would be a small hotel. Then he asked if I would like to book an event there.

Oh Mr. Darcy. What a depressing ending to such a promising beginning.

(Exhibit B: the closed gates)