The Shelbourne, Celbridge

A previous Kildare eHistory post re-produced an article from the Leinster Leader of 18 November 1967 by historian Lena Boylan, highlighted the history of the then oldest house in Celbridge that was due to be demolished. The article included a low resolution photograph of the house known as “Mr. Kelly’s Academy” and “The Shelbourne” at different stages. This article can be viewed here

A higher quality single photograph of the same building is also found in Kildare Local Studies collections. It helpfully includes some background information compiled by an anonymous person with an handwritten line included on the back of the photograph to say that the building had been demolished in September 1969. A stamp suggests that the image was taken by photographer Patrick Dempsey, from Celbridge.

The Shelbourne

When this old building was demolished in 1970, part of Celbridge’s past disappeared with it. Affectionately known as “The Shelbourne” from its use of a rooming house in the late nineteenth century, it stood almost on the site of this new library. It was a strange looking building with its plain façade and old stone lentils, which mocked the grandeur of the delicate plasterwork inside. The Rev. Samuel Shepherd, who lived there when he was Vicar of Kildrought 1733-1785 described it as “Within all pleasant, tho’ all drooping Joy fills the parlour while the roof is stooping”.

The House was then the oldest stone house in Celbridge and was probably the fine house which Peter Drake refers to in his memoirs as having been built by his father George Drake of Drakesrath, Co. Meath, who was disposed of his lands in Cromwells times and came to Kildrought where his cousins the Dongans of Castletown provided him with lands on which he built a “handsome house”, wherein he lived until the outbreak of the Williamite Wars.

Our thanks to Harry Blake for re-typing the above text.