SNIPPET: The tragically early deaths of two daughters of Sligo's Lissadell estate in the 1920s inspired their friend William Butler YEATS to write these lines in memory of Eva GORE-BOOTH and Con MARKIEVICZ: "The light of evening, Lissadell/Great windows open to the south/Two girls in silk kimonos, both/Beautiful, one a gazelle ..." The two girls in his poem were Constance GORE-BOOTH and her sister Eva. Constance, artist, fearless hunter and revolutionary would marry a fellow-artist Count Casimir MARKIEVICZ and become known to history as the Countess. Eva, the poet, moved to England and fought tirelessly to improve the lot of the downtrodden. Both travelled far, in physical distance and in way of life from the privileged aristocratic circles of their childhood and early youth. Sir Josslyn, younger brother of Constance, managed the estate for nearly fifty years until his death in 1944. He was a brilliant gardener and plant breeder and made Lissadell famous throughout the world as a source of old and new varieties of flowers. Sir Robert, who built the house, is remembered in particular for his successful efforts to feed the starving during the Great Hunger of 1847. Father of the Countess, Sir Henry GORE-BOOTH, was a courageous yachtsman and explorer and devoted to the welfare of those who depended on him. It is not at all surprising then, that Constance and her sister Eva developed such strong social consciences. Tragedy overtook the family as the 20th century progressed. The countess was condemned to death for her part in the Easter Rising of 1916 - fortunately her sentence was commuted and she was imprisoned for some time, before her release and triumphant entry to more regular politics. Both she and Eva died in their 50s. Their brother Josslyn lived on, but his son Hugh, who should have taken over the management of the estate was killed in action in WW-II, as was his brother Brian. The sisters lived on in Lissadell - but in increasing poverty and, while the house was maintained by the next generation, the gardens became neglected and overgrown. Eighty years have passed since they died - but their stately home survives and, just three years ago, entered on a time of transformation from slightly decaying residence to a combination of family home, treasure house of art and architecture, and "honeypot" of horticulture and beautiful landscape. In 2003 the house and grounds were put on the market by the GORE-BOOTH family. It was bought by two distinguished lawyers, Edward S. WALSH and his wife Constance CASSIDY. With their seven children, they wanted to bring it back to its original purpose - a real family home. But their ambitions were a great deal wider than that and included, above all, a wish to make this unique assemblage of history, art, architecture and landscape accessible to everyone. The approach road runs along the seashore. Access to the grounds is open to everyone. There are guided tours available -- and delicious rhubarb tarts! The present owners have succeeded in transforming this unique place of privilege to a palace for all to enjoy. Those with an interest in Co. Sligo would enjoy the several-page article about the history of Lissadell by Christopher MORIARTY and the colorful photographs by sisters Isobel and Pamela CASSIDY of this enchanting estate and its beautiful environs in the Sept-Oct 2007 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine; a back copy of that issue can be ordered at www.irelandofthewelcomes.com One can also visit the excellent website at www.lissadellhouse.com