John Harris, Rosapenna and Country Life

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

While searching for information on Rosapenna, I came across a curious item at the Dictionary of Irish Architects (DIA) at the Irish Architectural Archive web-site. According to the entry, John Harris is said to have designed Rosapenna and an edition of County Life is referenced. I can't help but think that this is some sort of mistake, but who knows? John Harris was an architect and I understand he had a connection with Notts GC.

Does anyone have access to this edition (Country Life 4, 9 Jul 1898) of Country Life.

Here's the link:

http://www.dia.ie/works/view/6164/building/CO.+DONEGAL%2C+ROSAPENNA%2C+HOTEL

[Andy Stamm]

It's available from the Hathi Trust.

http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015035069759;view=image;seq=31;num=25;q1=rosapenna;start=1;size=10;page=search

If the link doesn't work, go to Hathi Trust > country life > vol. 4 and search. I found Rosapenna on p. 25.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Andy, thanks for the link. Unfortunately due to copyright restrictions I cannot view the page.

I did do a search for "Rosapenna" and "Morris" and both are listed as on p.25, but no "Harris", so I guess the dia.ie web-site got it wrong. I believe the article is titled "Cycling in North Donegal" as a copy of the magazine is presently on sale on Ebay, and the contents page is shown.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350594152537?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Garland Bayley]

I read the page, and it says Rosapenna was by Tom Morris.

[Andy Stamm]

That's crazy. Being from 1898 it's not protected by copyright, at least not in the US. I think it very unlikely that it's protected by copyright in the UK at this point either.

PM your email address, and I can send it to you as an attachment.

[Andy Stamm]

I read the page, and it says Rosapenna was by Tom Morris.

That's right, the relevant section is

The cyclist may then proceed to Rosapenna, where he will be able to study the many improvements made by the late Lord Leitrim, and enjoy the comfort of a wooden hotel erected by him on the Scandinavian pattern for the benefit of those tourists who may either wish to play golf on the links laid out by the veteran Tom Morris, to fish in the neighboring rivers and loughs, free to visitors at the hotel, or to enjoy the views disclosed from the summit of the Ganianmore Mountain.

The other cited source from "On an Irish Jaunting Car" is similarly lacking any mention of Harris.

[Ivan Morris]

That Harris reference is balderdash! I have a booklet on the history of Rosapenna and there is no mention of a John Harris or even a cyclist. Rosapenna is a wonderful place - two superb golf courses and a comfortable hotel that knows how to 'treat' hungry golfers with fabulous dining. Ballyliffin on the other side of Lough Swilley is almost as good for golfing but there is no hotel there to equal Rosapenna's (as far as I know.) There are as many fine golf courses in County Donegal as in any other county in Ireland - including Kerry.   

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Andy:

Thanks for posting the paragraph. Many of the articles scanned in the US, are not freely viewable outside of the US. It's possible that the copyright restrictions apply to the scanned article rather than the original.

Ivan:

Yes, I was very skeptical about the Harris reference on the dia.ie web-site. But as we've learned on this discussion group, the facts about Rosapenna are a bit fuzzy. Here's a link to a previous thread on the course.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41295.0.html

It seems that Anthony Brown (pro at Dollymount in the 1890s) played a major role in the planning of the early course and H.S. Colt's contribution has largely been forgotten.

[Ivan Morris]

Very interesting, Donal. Gura mile maith agat! I love playing golf at Rosapenna. It's a pity it takes me all of 7-hours to get up there -
otherwise I'd be there more often.