Around the same time in history, Dolforgan Hall in Kerry was built on an estate known as The Forest, and a legacy of grandeur was created which lives on to this day.

Some dispute remains over when exactly the property was built – records as far back as 1709 show the property in its initial state, although the joining of the two cottages into the one house we see today is believed to have taken place in 1880.

An article from the Montgomeryshire Express in 1914 charts renovation work carried out on the property; excitement expressed at the use of electricity and its 'illimitable possibilities' – revolutionary 96 years ago – offers an interesting insight into a world quite different to the one we live in today.

The article speaks of the introduction of an electric motor, powered by a turbine on the Severn, which workers used to take the strain of some of the more manual tasks on the estate.

"It is a wonderful economist of manual labour" claims the article: "Its operations provide a most instructive study, which in turn suggests the infinite uses to which the Severn might be employed as a water power.
"Could the industrial possibilities of this brook be exploited for industrial purposes?"

Of course, we know now how electricity changed the civilised world and the problems we currently face creating enough of it, but in 1912 it was a new and exciting way of shifting the labour burden off horses and workers, letting this new power take the strain.

Many of the methods and techniques employed on the renovation of The Forest over 90 years ago are, in today's terms, impractical, inefficient or plain illegal. For example, what was once an "intricate scheme of drainage, skillfully planned and at considerable expense" would not meet today's rigorous standards of hygiene.

It is for this reason that in September last year, new owners Paul and Michelle Martin embarked on a renovation project to bring the estate into the 21st century.

"We've restored a lot of damaged features of the house; the bell tower on the roof needed replacing, we've uncovered archways we didn't know were there before.

"The roof was in desperate need of work, the wiring and drainage too.
"No part has been left untouched."

The couple have been staying at the house while the work was completed, moving from room to room while they watched the next chapter in this ancient estate's history unfold.

The property is now a five bedroom guesthouse, and opened for business at the beginning of May.

Paul is happy the project turned out so well: "It's a uniquely secluded location, offering visitors a chance to glimpse at the grandeur of an old Victorian country house.

"The work has been carried out impeccably by quality local tradesmen, and we're hoping for a good year."

For more information, contact Paul or Michelle on 01686 621821 or go to www.theforestkerry.co.uk