Edward  Herbert  Memorandum

Originally of Welsh origin, the Herbert family of Muckross always maintained strong connections with both England and Wales. The Edward Herbert to whom this notebook appears to belong was born in 1693 and educated at Pembroke College, Oxford. He was admitted to Middle Temple in 1722 and called to the Bar in 1734.

In 1723 Edward married Frances (Fanny) Browne, sister of Valentine 3 rd Viscount Kenmare of Killarney House. The couple are known to have been living in a house on the Muckross Peninsula in 1735. They had a large family of three sons and six daughters and were grandparents to the celebrated author Dorothea Herbert.

In 1754 Edward was appointed agent to Lord Powis and he probably departed Muckross at that point. Shortly after, Edward was elected MP for Ludlow. Being then in his sixties it seems likely that Edward was resident for the remaining years of his life in England. However, he may have occasionally travelled back and forth to Muckross.

The title on the opening page of the notebook, which runs to about 30 pages, states that it is comprised of the ‘observations’ of Edward Herbert Esq. This assortment of records, leases, general comments and advice may have been compiled by Edward as a handbook for his son Thomas. The latter is likely to have been deputised to manage the Muckross Estate while his father was living in England. Some of the later entries appear to be in another hand.

The contents of the notebook suggest that Edward was a knowledgeable man with many interests, particularly those relating to good estate management and landscape improvement. His wide ranging advice covered such topics as: the renewal of leases, the protection of turf and bogs, the keeping of goats, the type of houses tenants ought to build and the survey and mapping of townlands and boundaries.

In addition, Edward clearly appreciated Killarney’s picturesque landscape. He devoted much time describing how Dinis Island might be ‘improved’ through planting, the laying out of walk ways and the provision of a dining place. On a more ambitious note, he devised a plan for ‘a good large trench’ or ‘canal’ to be cut ‘in the lower part between Dinis and Brickeen’. This was intended to facilitate the passage of broad floats back and forth.

In relation to gardening and agricultural activities, Edward recommended the use of ‘draining plows’, Dutch hoes, spades and ‘small watering engines’, as well as bullocks and mules. In March 1770 Edward became the outright owner of the Muckross Estate, through the death of his grandson Charles Mac Carthaigh Mór. Up to that point much of the estate had been merely leased. However, Edward only survived his grandson by a few months and the estate then passed to his son Thomas.

Further Reading: ‘The Herbert Family of Muckross & Castleisland, c. 1655-1821,’ by Patricia O’Hare, The Big House in Kerry: A Social History, edited by Jane O’Hea O’Keeffe, Tralee, 2022.