woodbrook house

Down the road towards Carrick-on-Shannon, is Woodbrook House, once the home of the Kirkwood family, made famous in David Thomson's book Woodbrook. Major Charles Kirkwood, the last owner, was brother of Major Willie, who was married to Miss Jameson of the Whiskey family, and an international polo player.

Major Charlie's uncle, colonel Tom Kirkwood, ran a famous racing stable and won the Aintre Grand National in 1881 with a horse called Woodbrook. His most famous horse was The White Knight, winner of the Ascot Gold Cup in 1907, 1908, the Ascot Gold vase 1906, the Corporation Cup 1907 and several other smaller races. These horses and others were trained where the Carrick-on-Shannon 9 hole golf course is situated on part of the Kirkwood estate.