The book entitled “Journal of A tour in Ireland” was written by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart. F.R.S. F.A.S.*, and Published 215 years ago, in 1807.
* Baronet – Fellow Royal Society, – Fellow Antiquarian Society.
The book once graced the library owned by Captain Richard Carden, Esq, Fishmoyne, Drom, Kilfithmone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; latter Captain of the Tipperary Militia and today remains part of a private Tipperary collection.
Captain Richard Carden:
Captain Richard Carden was the son of Minchin Carden and Lucy Lockwood, and as already stated was born at Fishmoye, Drom, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, c 1760.
He gained the rank of Officer in the 12th Regiment of Dragoons and on May 6th, 1787, he married Jane Blundell (daughter of Very Rev. Dixie Blundell and Elizabeth Ogle) in Co. Limerick.
The couple had one son also named Richard Minchin Carden (latter born July 1st 1799, and died May 11th 1873.)
Richard Carden, the former, passed away on February 7th, 1812, aged 53 years, and is interned in Saint Michan’s Church, Church Street, Dublin 7.
A plaque there bears the inscription:
“Sacred to the memory of Richard Carden Esq of Fishmoyne in the County of Tipperary, who died at his house in Gardiner Street in this city .
Jane Carden relict of the above Richard Carden and daughter of the Very Revd Dr. Blundell Dean of Kildare. Departed this life 22nd of January 1837 in the 73rd year of her age. She was a true Christian a fondly attached wife, the best, the most beloved of parents and a sincere friend.
This tablet is placed here by their only son as a small tribute of his affection and respect. August 1837
Sir Richard Colt Hoare’s Tour.
The tour of parts of Ireland, by the above author, including some areas of Co. Tipperary; had taken place the year before, (1806) and the opening Preface of the book, bears the Latin headline; “Erranti, passimque oculos per cuenta tuenti”, (Translated: “Wandering, keeping his eyes here and there”.), gives us a certain insight into what life was like and how Ireland was viewed by the gentry, some 216 years ago.
Quote from the Preface; “To the traveller, who fond of novelty and information, seeks out those regions, which may either afford reflection for his mind, or employment for his pencil and especially to him, who may be induced to visit the neglected shores of Hibernia*, the following pages are dedicated“.
* In his book ‘Agricola’ or ‘Farmer’, (c.98 CE), Publius Cornelius Tacitus (c.AD 56 – c.120); a Roman historian and politician, latter widely regarded as one of the greatest of Roman historians, referred to Ireland using the name “Hibernia”.
The name “Hibernia” or “Land of Winter”, was used on Irish coins in the 1700s, and more recently on a €2:00 coin, minted in 2016.
Author Sir Richard Colt Hoare continues: “The island of Hibernia (Ireland) still remains unvisited and unknown. And why? Because from the want of books and living information we have been led to suppose the country rude, its inhabitants savage, its paths dangerous. Where we to take a view of the wretched conditions in which the history of Ireland stands, it would not be a matter of astonishment that we should be considered as a people, in a manner unknown to the world, accept what little knowledge of us is communicated by merchants, sea-faring men and a few travellers. While all other nations of Europe have their histories, to inform their own people, as well as foreigners, what they were and what they are.
The love of literature, however, seems to be gaining ground daily in Ireland, as well as in the remote districts of the sister Kingdom; and particularly that class of it which will tend and ultimately to make its provinces more frequent, and better known; which will not only excite the attention of the stranger, but point out natural beauties and curiosities unexplored even by the native.”
We will discuss more details on Sir Richard Colt Hoare’s tour of Tipperary in the coming days.
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