Thursday, September 29, 2011

Clandeboye

"I've ordered that the cows be washed" exclaimed the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava - (a member of the legendary Guinness family by both birth and marriage). One cow (heifer) in particular - the famed Willow - was unanimously crowned Ireland's Supreme Champion Cow of the year (amusingly coined Miss Bovine Universe). Lady Dufferin dotes on her estate's 130 heifers, who are the source of England's acclaimed Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt. But besides being a consumate gentlewoman farmer, she is also responsible for keeping Clandeboye - the truly astounding 2000 acre estate in Northern Ireland, described as "a frozen-in-amber reflection of the British Empire at its peak". It is really worth delving into the trials and tribulations of this extraordinary family and the Marchioness herself, who claims that she has never stepped foot inside a supermarket. Read the first-rate article here... 




















All photographs by Simon Watson

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