Untitled [Landscape with a lake and forest, and a house in the distance] - Brocas, Henry (Irish painter, draftsman, and engraver, 1766-1838) (My University, 2008)
Though the landscape in this painting is unidentified it is possible that it is another view of Rockingham House and estate in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. The house was designed by the famous architect John Nash, who was also renowned for building the Regents Park and Regents Street in London. The house was built for the MacDermott family. 'The McDermott?s official residence was on The Rock, now called Castle Island. There is reference to Castle Island in the annals of Loch Key as early as 1184. During this time the park was called Moylurg and the Kings of Moylurg were the McDermotts. As space was limited on this small island they had another residence on the mainland. The McDermotts ruled this area until the 17th century when it was granted to the King family from England under the Cromwellian settlement. The King family spent their time between the town of Boyle and Moylurg which they renamed Rockingham. In 1957 the house was destroyed by fire, believed to have started in the upper basement due to an electrical fault. The state took over the land in the 1950s and the remaining walls of the house were demolished in 1971.' (www.loughkey.ie)
Keywords: Rockingham House; Art--Irish; Landscape painting -- Irish; Key, Lough (Ireland); Boats and Boating -- Ireland -- History; Gardens--Ireland--Pictorial works; Clothing and Dress -- Ireland -- History; Mansions--Ireland; Mountains--Ireland; Boyle (Ireland)--Social life and customs; Roscommon (Ireland : County); 19th century