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Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Dec 1932

Vol. 16 No. 7

Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Bill, 1932—Second Stage.

Question proposed—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

I am sure the members of the Seanad will learn with gratification and gratitude of the magnificent and princely gift which a member of the Oireachtas has made to the nation. The gift originated in the princely offer that Senator Vincent was good enough to make to the President of the Executive Council on the 28th July last, which was confirmed in the following letter:—

46 Kildare Street,

Dublin,

28th July, 1932.

Dear Mr. President,

Re Muckross.

With reference to our conversation of to-day's date, the Muckross Estate was purchased by Mr. W.B. Bourn, of San Mateo, California, about 1910 from Lord Ardilaun. In 1916 Mr. Bourn settled the estate on me for my life with remainder to my children as I should appoint. During the last 22 years I have greatly improved the estate in every way, including forestry. It is now in what one might call perfect condition.

Looking to the future, Mr. Bourn and I have arrived at the conclusion that it is going to be too big an undertaking for any private individual under the changing conditions of the world.

The Muckross Estate would make a public park such as any country might be proud of. It surrounds at least one half of the Lower Lake of Killarney; it entirely surrounds the Middle Lake, and bounds certainly two-thirds of the Upper Lake, and this area, if preserved as at present exists, will for all time be one of the greatest beauty spots in the world. The total area is some 13,000 acres.

Under these circumstances Mr. Bourn and I would much prefer to see the State in possession than any private individual, and I would therefore be glad to know whether, if all legal difficulties in the way be overcome, the State would be ready to become the owner. As a preliminary step I would suggest that you and some members of the Executive Council should come and stay with me and go over the estate, when I would be able to put all matters before you.

The President did not find it possible to visit the estate, but a few members of the Executive Council, including myself, did so. I should like to say in that connection that I had seen Killarney many times. I knew the reputation which it bore for peerless beauty, but I never realised before how much tender care and exquisite taste could enhance the beauty of that magnificent place. I came back very enthusiastic that the State should accept the gift, and the same feeling was expressed by the other members of the Executive Council who visited it. I am happy to say that, all the legal difficulties having been overcome, we were able to introduce a Bill entitled: "Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Bill." It passed through all stages in the Dáil and it is now before the Seanad for acceptance. The Bill, which is unprecedented so far as our legislation is concerned, is in four Parts. Part I is preliminary and general, dealing with the short title, definitions and provision for expenditure. Part II deals with acceptance of the gifts; Part III with the maintenance of the Park; and Part IV with the custody and use of chattels personal. It is the intention under this Bill, if it is accepted by the Oireachtas, and when it becomes law, that the estate will be constituted as a memorial park and that there will be erected there a monument to the late Maud Chase Bourn Vincent, wife of Senator Arthur Rose Vincent, who was largely responsible for the gift. The monument will be maintained in perpetuity. The park will be maintained in perpetuity and will be administered by the Office of Public Works, in very much the same manner as the Phoenix Park, Stephen's Green and other public parks are maintained. Power is taken in the Bill to charge and levy tolls. It is essential that such powers should be taken, because otherwise the burden of maintaining the estate might entail heavy expenditure. We hope that as the more private attractions of Killarney are now available to the public generally, and to tourists in particular, that a very substantial revenue will be derived from tolls which will not be burdensome upon the people of the district—because, I understand they enjoy very great facilities, even at present—which will enable us substantially to reduce the cost to the Exchequer of maintaining the estate. I do not think it is necessary for me to say anything more, except to commend the Bill for acceptance, and again to express on behalf of the Executive Council, and I am sure on behalf of our people generally, our gratitude to Senator Vincent and to Mr. William Bowers Bourn, for this magnificent gift.

This is a Bill about which none of us can really say anything, except to express most grateful appreciation of what it does. This Bill is the acceptance of a very noble gift and, when it becomes law, no country in the world will have a more beautiful or a more appropriate national park. For us in the Seanad there is added a very real pleasure in that Arthur Rose Vincent is a member of this House.

As one who has lived in the neighbourhood of Killarney and Muckross from childhood, I would like to associate myself with what Senator Brown has said. I have seen Muckross at different times, when it was derelict. I have watched its development to the standard at which it is to-day during the time I have been here, and Senator Vincent took it over. It is an instance of what I consider to be money economically and advantageously expended in afforestation, in horticulture, in beautiful grounds, which are generally open to the public, in the breeding of our native cattle, and finally in high-class or mixed farming and good estate management, coupled always with the most careful thought for all the people on the estate. I mention that because I think it is from examples such as this, not only natural scenery, but the development of that natural scenery, and the application of modern ideas to beautiful scenery that we get our idea of the smaller houses and the cottages and the idea of the development of beautiful homes in this country. From that point of view Muckross is an example of the greatest value. It is to be hoped that the Government and the people will appreciate their new property, and maintain that splendid example as a standard for all time.

I am sure I would be voicing the feeling of every member of this House, besides myself, if I say how greatly we regret that circumstances have caused the donor or donors to take this action. For reasons of sentiment it may be a matter of great regret, and in that way we all deeply sympathise. One of the donors has taken part in the public life in this country from a sense of duty. Anyhow that action has been taken and I think the Government, in accepting the offer, are entirely justified and, also, in incurring the expense of the future upkeep of the estate.

I would like to join, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, in appreciation of this gift to the nation. It is so far as the history of our new State is concerned unprecedented, but one would hope it would prove an example that would be followed in future where valuable possessions of this kind have to be forfeited, that duty to the nation would be recognised as Senator Vincent has recognised it. There have been quite frequently in the last 25 or 30 years fears arising out of public statements now and again made, of the vulgarisation and destruction of the beauties of Killarney and Muckross district. It is a good thing to know that in the case of Muckross its beauties have been enhanced by the generous expenditure of its owner. One hopes that all that has been done by the present owners will be maintained, and improved, and that there will be no risk of vulgarisation that sometimes is alleged to be the consequence of State management. One need not enlarge upon these things but I am proud and glad to associate myself and my colleagues, of the Labour Party, with the views that have been expressed to the donors of this splendid gift to the nation.

There is one object not mentioned, which is connected with this wonderful gift to the nation, and that is that it contains one of the most beautiful mediaeval buildings in the country, a Franciscan Abbey. It is impossible to find words adequate to express appreciation of the action of Senator Vincent in handing over this great gift to the nation.

I wish to join, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, in the expression of gratitude, to the donor of this magnificent gift. It is a gift unexampled in its magnificence and I am sure the nation, as a whole, will feel a deep sense of gratitude to the donor, a gratitude to which it is almost impossible to give expression. Not merely is the gift a great one but the manner in which the donors have protected those on the estate, and given security of tenure to the humblest worker on it before handing it over to the Government reflects credit upon them and the nation.

Cathaoirleach

Before calling on the Minister to reply in the debate perhaps I might be allowed to express my gratitude to the donor for this magnificent gift to the nation. The scenery in this munificent gift of Mucross estate is among the most beautiful of its kind in the world.

"A monarch's wealth may raise a Fontainebleau,

But 'tis for Nature Mucross' pride to shew."

And it has inspired many gems of literature, both Irish and English, as for example Tennyson's finest lyric in The Princess. Muckross means more than that, however, to the Gael, for in the ruined priory of its age-old abbey is the last resting place of the noblest warriors of the great clans of the McCarthys, the O'Sullivans and the O'Donoghues. Here, too, in the chancel, lie two of the greatest of the Munster poets, Egan O'Rahilly and Owen Rua O'Sullivan, the Robert Burns of the native Irish. As the knowledge of our mournful but proud history becomes more widely disseminated, as it will from year to year, our Irish people will view this “quiet, watered land,” which is now about to become their property, with the deepening affection which comes from knowledge; and when memories of old rancours, now dying, are long dead, our children's children will regard the gift, not as an act of restoration from Gall to Gael, but as a bestowal of part of our national heritage, which had at different times for centuries been in the possession of both Gall and Gael, upon a united people in which both elements are happily blended and which is informed with the virtues of both.

After what has been said from every section of the Seanad, re-echoing what was said by every section of the Dáil, and I am sure preluding what will be said by every section of the people, I do not think it is necessary for me to say more except to assure Senator Vincent and his father-in-law, Mr. Bowers Bourn, that their memory will be perpetuated and their munificence will be remembered so long as the beauties of Killarney survive.

Question put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered or Wednesday, 14th December.
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