In this meticulously researched biography, the life of Judith Isobel Chavasse (1867-1935)  unfolds through her memoirs and a remarkably preserved collection of diaries. From herspirited childhood and early adulthood in New Court, Skibbereen, to her rich family life filled with love, loss, and leadership, this book brings to life a woman of remarkable depth and resilience.

Spanning 15 years of motherhood at Whitfield Court, Kimeaden, to her later years in Castletownshend amid the First World War and the Irish Troubles, this story is a compelling narrative of gentry life in a period of rapid social and political change. Judith’s days were deeply intertwined with figures such as novelist Edith Somerville and filled with her efforts in parish and war work, reflecting her enduring impact on her community. 

Beyond a simple historical account, this biography delves into Judith's personal trials, her struggles with domestic life, including the perpetual quest for a reliable cook, and her devotion to the grand houses that framed her life story.
 
Rachel Finnegan holds a PhD in Classics and has published seven books and numerous articles on 18th-century grand Tourism. With extensive experience in historical research and a keen eye for detail, Finnegan sheds light on the life of a woman whose legacy is stitched into the fabric of late 19th- and early 20th-century Ireland.