Mouse
Born June 1877
Died Nov 1878
This stone was placed here by
Blanche Herbert
who loved him dearly and bitterly
mourns his loss
When walking through the grounds of Farmleigh House, you may have come across a small headstone marking the resting place of a much loved pet. ‘Mouse’ was probably a dog who only lived 17 months. But who was his owner? I wanted to find out so did a little research and the most likely owner is Blanch Herbert (1848-1920) of Muckross House.
Blanche would have been 30 when Mouse died and was buried. She was the youngest daughter of Henry Arthur Herbert and Mary Balfour. Her father’s lineage can be traced back to Wilton House, Wiltshire – the seat of the Earls of Pembroke. Her mother was an accomplished artist and brought a large dowry to the marriage that allowed them to build Muckross House.
Mary_Balfour_Muckross, Image credit Muckross House Research Library
Prior to a visit by Queen Victoria in 1861, the Herbert’s spent 5 years and large sums preparing private apartments for the royal party. They also purchased new furnishings and carriages to impress the Queen and her family. This expenditure played a part in the family’s financial downfall leading to the sale of Muckross House.
In November 1899, it was withdrawn from auction when it failed to meet its reserve and was subsequently purchased by Lord Ardilaun for £60,000. This is where the connection to Farmleigh comes in. Arthur was the brother of Edward Cecil Guinness who had purchased Farmleigh in 1873.
Lord Ardilaun (Arthur Guinness) married Olivia Hedges-White. Olivia was the daughter of Jane Hedges-White, Blanche’s aunt. The Ardilaun’s purchased Muckross to keep it in the family. As Olivia and Blanche were first cousins she and her sister Eleanor continued to live on the Muckross estate after the sale.
Lady Olivia Guinness, Image credit Royal Collection Trust
Blanche never married and would have visited Olivia in her homes in Dublin and Mayo. One of those visits must have taken her and her pet ‘Mouse’ to Farmleigh where the headstone is to be found. Blanche died on 12 Dec 1920 at the Hotel Belvedere, Locarno, Switzerland.
by Aoife Tierney, Office of Public Works.
