Carlow mansion destroyed by fire in 1933 captured on new Duckett's Grove website

Duckett's Grove was destroyed by fire on April 19 in 1933. The fire was reported on the front pages of national newspapers the next day.

The headline on the Evening Herald read "Carlow Mansion Destroyed by Fire" and featured reports of the fire, its history and a statement by Captain John Sweeney, Carlow Fire Brigade.

"The Nationalist and Leinster Times" also reported the large fire when they went to print on April 22, 1933.  

In the early afternoon of Wednesday, April 19, Duckett's Grove mansion was destroyed by fire. 

The previous week, a small fire which broke out in one of the rooms of Duckett's Grove was extinguished.

John Sweeney, Captain of Carlow Fire Brigade at the time, reported that on April 19, he received a report of fire at Duckett’s Grove at 12:10pm, and he and eight firemen, arrived at the scene of fire at 1:30pm.

Captain Sweeney reported "owing to inadequate water supply it was impossible to cope with the flames".

The fire and other historical events of the Duckett Family are documented on a new website for Duckett's Grove, www.duckettsgrove.ie which outlines the history, heritage and stories behind Duckett's Grove, the Duckett’s, the Three Gate Lodges and its gardeners and groundsmen.

The damage caused by the fire was estimated at between £12,000 and £15,000.  It is understood the mansion was only partially covered by insurance.

According to an Irish Independent report on April 21 in 1933, the mansion had been unattended since its sale in about 1914, and in succeeding years was successfully occupied by the British forces during the Black-and-Tan war, and later by the Free State forces during the Civil War.

The paper also reported that Solsborough House near Enniscorthy, Wexford was also destroyed by fire. 

Read the full report and copies of newspaper articles on the new website www.duckettsgrove.ie which is designed to provide visitors with an insight into the factual history of the Duckett family and the Duckett Demense, while also incorporating local knowledge and stories from the period.

The website will be updated with additional articles periodically and it is hoped it will expand over time.