Elizabeth Taylor was an actress who became one the most popular Hollywood film stars of the 1950’s and 60’s. Taylor, who began her career as a child actress was noted for her beauty and violet eyes. During her lifetime she became a well-known figure who in her later years began to focus her attention on philanthropy.

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born to American parents near London, England on February 27th 1932. Her parents, who were art dealers moved with their family back to the United States shortly after the outbreak of World War II. Taylor was seven years old at the time. She played in her first movie, ‘There’s One Born Every Minute’ in 1942 at the age of ten. She achieved stardom for her part in the movie ‘National Velvet’ in 1944.

During her career Elizabeth Taylor starred in over sixty movies, appeared in several television shows and was the recipient of numerous awards. She was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning on two occasions. She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in ‘Butterfield 8’ in 1960. She won the award again in 1966, also for Best Actress, in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’. It was the film of which she was most proud.

Elizabeth Taylor married her first husband, Conrad Hilton, in 1950. In total she was married seven times to eight men. She was married to actor Richard Burton on two occasions. Mike Todd, a film producer, was Taylor’s third husband. He was the only one of her seven husbands whom she did not divorce. He died in a plane crash in 1958. Todd won an Academy Award for his production of the movie Around the World in 80 Days. His son Mike Todd Jr, also a film producer, lived in Borris, County Carlow, Ireland.

Taylor was the recipient of several awards during her lifetime. She received the French Légion d’honneur in 1987 and was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2000. She was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal for her humanitarian work in 2001.

Elizabeth Taylor died at the 79 in the year 2011 On This Day.

Photo by classic film scans

Elizabeth Taylor

Duckett’s Grove lies a few miles east of Carlow town, Ireland. It is a 19th-century Gothic revival building which was badly damaged in a fire on April 20th 1933. It has several towers and turrets varying in shape and size which have recesses containing statues. Several paranormal groups have carried out investigations at Duckett’s Grove over recent years. At least two of the investigations have formed the basis for television programmes.

Situated on what was once a 5,000 hectare estate, Duckett’s Grove was the home of the Duckett family during the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. The ruined gothic style mansion, with its walled gardens and surrounding grounds were purchased by Carlow County Council in 2005. Though the house remains a ruin, extensive restoration has been carried out. The walled gardens and pleasure grounds are now open to the public and have become a major visitor attraction.

Due to what were described as ‘unexplained phenomena’ Duckett’s Grove has the attracted the attention of those people interested in the paranormal. The paranormal television series Destination Truth did a four hour on-site live investigation to see if the ruins were haunted. The programme was broadcast on the US cable and satellite channel Syfy. . Killarney Paranormal Society has also carried out investigations at the castle.

The TV programme Destination Truth made live broadcast of a search for a Banshee from Duckett’s Grove, Carlow on SyFy Channel in the year 2011 On This Day.

Photo by clavel9

Duckett’s Grove

Photo by NedKinsella

Ducketts Grove