RATHDOWN UNION FARMING SOCIETY, ROYAL AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY OF IRELAND SILVER PRIZE MEDAL, 1857. Obverse: crowned harp. Reverse: wreath of oak and laurel leaves, engraved within in 5 lines, "To / Jaffray Barcroft / Kilbogget / for / The Best Cow", legend around: "Rathdown Farming Society 1857". 50mm, by Jones. Some scattered minor rim nicks, otherwise attractively toned and Almost Extremely Fine.
Medal accompanied by biographical details for Jaffray Barcroft (christian name also spelt Jeffrey), extract Thom's Directory 1867, and estate agent's photographs of the exterior of Barcroft's country seat, Kilbogget House, Cabinteely, Co. Dublin (3, front, rear and side elevations), taken when it was recently placed on the market
Jaffray Barcroft (1800-1868) is recorded in Thom's Directory for 1867 as a timber measurer and broker, with premises at 42a Great Brunswick Street, Dublin and a counry residence in Kilbogget, Cabinteely, Co. Dublin. Kilbogget House is an extensive Italianate country villa. At the time of the Treaty Negotiations after the Irish War of Independence, the Barcroft family are recroded as having provided Michael Collins with refuge in a secret room in Kilbogget House, whilst he was on the run from the crown forces.
