Killarney Inlaid Games Table.

This Killarney inlaid games table probably dates to the late 19th century. The substrate is of pine, veneered with arbutus and yew.

The table opens out to reveal inlaid surfaces for the playing of chess, backgammon and cribbage, bordered by trailing shamrocks and oak leaves. The decoration also includes depictions of a number of well-known tourist attractions, such as Muckross Abbey and Glena cottage (destroyed 1920).

The table is supported by a bulbous column and base, decorated with trailing shamrock and claw feet.

Killarney Inlaid Furniture: A Brief History.
During the 1820s bog oak and bog yew, found in bogs close to Killarney town, began to be used to produce wooden goods for tourists. By the late 1830s the wood of the native arbutus (Arbutus unedo) was also being exploited to produce inlaid items. This industry was well established by the late 1840s.

Items of furniture produced by this inlaid arbutus industry included: cabinets, chiffoniers, davenports and games' tables. Smaller items were also produced. The inlaid motifs included representations of local tourist sites including: Muckross House, Muckross Abbey, Killarney House, Glena Cottage, Ross Castle, Innisfallen, etc. Representations of the eagle, deer and Irish harp were also used, while decorative borders included shamrocks, ferns, oak leaves and acorns, holly leaves, etc.

This Killarney industry was in decline by the 1880s. However, between 1929 and 1952 the production of inlaid arbutus furniture continued in the Gap of Dunloe.