Thursday Doors – Virginia Part 2

You are very welcome to part two of Thursday Doors in Virginia, county Cavan. Last week we saw some images of the Ramor Theatre and this week I’m starting off with the neighbouring building. I love the arch within an arch, very unusual design. Plus, it has two lovely red doors. I think this must have been a coach entrance originally. Down a side street I found some lovely old stone cottages and another red door. I love the decorative dormers on some of them.

That last one is striking with its mix of brick and stone. Let’s head on back to the main street to look for more bare stone buildings.

This one is beautifully preserved, along with its railings, but I can’t say the same for the one directly opposite, across the street.

Such a shame to see this lovely old house going to waste. I know it’s expensive repairing old buildings, we are still spending money and working on our own cottage three years after moving in, but it’s so satisfying when you see the finished result, not to mention the increase in value. I really like this town and the surrounding countryside. There are some lovely looped walks of various lengths, which I plan to explore, now that the lockdown is easing and we can travel freely within our own counties.

Now for a bit of history. The town of Virginia is over four hundred years old and derives its name from Elizabeth 1st of England, the Virgin Queen. Even back in the 1800’s this was a desirable place to live, as you can see from the following account.

Adjoining the town, and on the north side of the lake, is Virginia Park, a cottage residence of the Marquess of Headfort. The scenery of this park is extremely diversified, and its walks and drives very beautiful: the plantations are a highly ornamental feature in the landscape. Lough Ramor contains several small islands, which have recently been planted by his lordship, who has established an annual boat race on the lough and gives as a prize a cup of the value of 30 guineas. Many curiously shaped brazen pots, supposed to be Danish, were discovered in the lake a few years since, some of which are in the possession of the Marquess at Headfort House, near Kells.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1840 by Samuel Lewis

You will find some interesting information on the town’s website. I hope you enjoyed this little tour of Virginia and if you would like to see some Thursday Doors from around the world, head on over to Norm’s blog.