Episode 46
Mary Lavin – The History of King House
HOSTS & GUESTS
Carlo Cretaro
Mary Lavin
Welcome to Episode 46 of the Voices Of Boyle Podcast!
Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Voices of Boyle podcast! Today we’ve got a real treat for you. Joining me is the wonderful Mary Lavin, a passionate tour guide and receptionist at the iconic King House in Boyle.
We’re going to dive into the rich history of this fascinating, historical building, uncovering stories and treasures that make King House a true gem of our town.
The episode explored the venerable origins of King House, dating back to the 1730s as the opulent abode of the King family. Mary discussed its transformation over the centuries, from a military barracks to a revered cultural and heritage hub, highlighting its architectural beauty and historical significance.
Restoration Saga
Mary reminisced about the Herculean efforts invested in resurrecting King House to its former glory. She shared fascinating details about the restoration process, including the staggering 26 loads of debris that were removed, illustrating the dedication and hard work required to preserve this historic site.
Tales of Valor and Escapades
Listeners were treated to enthralling anecdotes of daring escapes and historic riots. These stories are intricately intertwined with the legacy of King House, adding layers of intrigue to its history.
Treasures Within
Mary uncovered the treasures housed within King House, including the Mary McAleese collection, Maureen O’ Sullivan artifacts, and the exquisitely curated Boyle Civic Arts Collection.
I hope you enjoy this episode and feel friend to share it to anyone who you think would enjoy to hear about King House.
Thanks to Brendan O’ Dowd for creating and recording the musical piece for the podcast.
BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW!
If you’ve a story about Boyle, we’d love to hear it. You don’t need to have done anything remarkable, and you don’t need to prepare a thing. We sit down, have a chat, and you talk about whatever you want to. It usually takes about an hour.
Thinking of someone else? A parent, a grandparent, a neighbour who remembers how it used to be? Tell us about them. Some of our best episodes started because a son or daughter got in touch. You can find us at [email protected].
Super warmth and enthusiasm in this interview … from a direct descendant of Sir John King and also Captain John Robertson of The Abbey, who was one of the first officers to work at King House when the barracks transferred from Boyle Abbey.
Oh, that’s very interesting, Wendy! 🙂