History of rakish Dingle Count to be translated into German

AN account of the life of Count James Louis Rice of Dingle, written by retired history teacher Pat Neligan, is to be translated into German so that it can be better appreciated by the people of Aachen where the rakish count planned to build a racecourse in the 18th Century.

Count Rice, who was born in West Kerry in the mid 18th Century, never realised his racecourse dream, but his plan inspired others , which is why Aachen is now a centre of international show jumping.

Pat Neligan conducted extensive research for his book in the Aachen region where he uncovered previously unknown details of Rice’s activities. German documents that Pat sourced were translated into English by long time Ventry resident Britta Wilkens and the translation of the entire book into German is now being organised by Christoph Laschet, who lives in Leuven and also has a house in West Kerry. In the German translation, due to be launched in the summer, the book is being re-edited to give greater emphasis to Rice’s activities in Aachen, where he remains a figure of considerable historical interest to this day.

Pat said he is “delighted and honoured” with the development which will bring the story of Count Rice to a wider audience. The original book, which Pat launched in Dingle in 2017, also explores the facts behind the daring attempt by Count Rice to rescue Queen Marie Antoinette and his extraordinary life as a cavalry officer, gambler and duellist who mingled with the most privileged aristocrats of the day.

Pat will give a talk on the life of Count Rice as part of an ongoing series of history lectures in Baile ‘n Fheirtéaraigh on Thursday, January 17, at 7pm.

Ceithre cinn de chainteanna atá i gceist sa tsraith seo san Earrach, atá á heagrú ag Coláiste Ollscoile Corcaigh i gcomhar le Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne. €10 in aghaidh no hoiche an táille.