THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. | |
| With the exception of some half-dozen out of the twenty-two past and present Decoys of this island, I have little but what is secondhand information. The reason being that most of the Irish Decoys were discontinued many years ago. That several other Decoys formerly existed than those hereinmentioned is probable, but though I have travelled the length and breadth of the island, both inland and by the coast on various sporting expeditions (vide "Fowler in Ireland"), and have constantly made inquiries on the subject, it has been with but meagre results. This information, such as it is, is now given. | |
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DECOYS IN THE COUNTY OF CORK. | |
Decoys in use. Longueville. | Decoys not in use. Doneraile Court. |
| Longueville (2), 3 miles W. of Mallow, the residence of Richard Longfield, Esq. The Decoys are situated three hundred paces below the mansion on the south side of the park, and close to the high road from Mallow to Kanturk. They consist of two pieces of water, one being 35 yards square, and the other close by and connected with it, being 8 to 10 acres in extent. The original Decoy, the small one, was constructed in 1750 and had four pipes, two of which were enlarged in 1865 and two abolished. In 1875 Mr. Longfield made a new pipe on the large piece of water hard by, or, as it is called, "The New Decoy." The takes in a season vary from 250 to 300 fowl. In the winter of 1883-4, 44 Wild Duck were taken at a drive. But an average good catch might be 15 to 20 birds ; the last made pipe being the most successful. Thompson, in his admirable work, 'The Natural History of Ireland' 1851 thus alludes to this Decoy. He writes: "In the season 1840-41, 216 Teal, 100 Wild Ducks, and 1 Wigeon were captured . . . . . The greatest number taken here for some years past was in 1845-46, when 730 head of Duck, Teal, and Wigeon were procured."He adds: "70 Ducks and Teal have been taken at one time." | |