Testimonials

“Dear Edward . . . I am now writing to confirm how absolutely delighted just all of us in Birr are with the superb job which you have made of our gates. Not only is all the family enchanted with them. All the Friends of Birr Castle Demesne and the people of Birr are endlessly coming up to compliment me on the gates and ask whoever has created something so lovely at the head of the Mall? It is with real pride that I have been able to indicate Bisgood and Bagnall as the true Artist Smiths you so rightly claim to be.

I feel Mary, Countess of Rosse, who set such high standards with the gates which she both designed and made, is now looking down on these new gates with great pride at seeing the talents of you today following so marvellously the tradition which she set here a century and a half ago. She would be, I am sure, as delighted as we are by the way in which the overall Gothic style has been both retained and further adorned with a more contemporary but no less beautiful interpretation of our tradition.

I would therefore ask you to pass this note of thanks and compliments to each and every person of your staff who contributed towards the making of these gates, so that they all know how extensively their contribution is already being appreciated.

With very best wishes for all continuing success.

Rosse
Earl of Rosse”