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Ranji: Maharajah of Connemara
The scene at Ballynahinch station, when the Prince was about to take his departure, conjured visions of scenes from the Arabian Nights'. His Highness' native Indian servants and some 30 hefty Connemara men employed by the Prince, lined up at the station. When his Highness entered the station he was lustily cheered."
- Galway Observer, 1926
"...His Highness the Maharajah entered attired in the garb of a sportsman, the springing step and elasticity of movement proclaiming his distinguished career in the athletic world..."
- Connacht Tribune, 1924
Indian Prince Ranjitsinhji was the most celebrated cricket-player of his generation. In 1924, the inhabitants of Connemara, on the west coast of Ireland, were amazed when this exotic stranger fell in love with Ballynahinch Castle and decided to move in.
For the first time, biographer Anne Chambers reveals the reasons behind Ranji's strange decision to move to one of the remotest parts of Ireland during a time of violent political unrest.
Using rare documents from Government and personal archives, private photographs and personal stories from people who knew or worked for The Ranji', as they called him, she brings this intriguing story to light.
- Galway Observer, 1926
"...His Highness the Maharajah entered attired in the garb of a sportsman, the springing step and elasticity of movement proclaiming his distinguished career in the athletic world..."
- Connacht Tribune, 1924
Indian Prince Ranjitsinhji was the most celebrated cricket-player of his generation. In 1924, the inhabitants of Connemara, on the west coast of Ireland, were amazed when this exotic stranger fell in love with Ballynahinch Castle and decided to move in.
For the first time, biographer Anne Chambers reveals the reasons behind Ranji's strange decision to move to one of the remotest parts of Ireland during a time of violent political unrest.
Using rare documents from Government and personal archives, private photographs and personal stories from people who knew or worked for The Ranji', as they called him, she brings this intriguing story to light.
- GenresBiography
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
10 people want to read
About the author
Anne Chambers
40 books20 followersAnne Chambers is an Irish biographer, novelist and screenplay writer who lives and works in Dublin. She is best known for her biography of the 16th-century Irish Pirate Queen, Gráinne (Grace) O'Malley.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 24, 2022
I picked this book at charity shop. Maharadja in Ireland and in 1920s. That intrigued me
straight away. I wanted to know how Connemara local folk reacted and interacted with this "exotic bird". Well...I have to say that first 100 pages it was about Ranjis youth witch evolved around
cricket in UK. I don't know anything about this sport...so it was boring for me to read. I would have loved to read more about his affection to jewels and art...it was briefly mentioned in book.
Best bit of the book for me was how local Irish people remembered him and about his time spent
in Ballinahinch. It is also amazes me how British aristocracy and Indian Maharajas were able to
live lavish lifestyle although they are up to ears in dept.
straight away. I wanted to know how Connemara local folk reacted and interacted with this "exotic bird". Well...I have to say that first 100 pages it was about Ranjis youth witch evolved around
cricket in UK. I don't know anything about this sport...so it was boring for me to read. I would have loved to read more about his affection to jewels and art...it was briefly mentioned in book.
Best bit of the book for me was how local Irish people remembered him and about his time spent
in Ballinahinch. It is also amazes me how British aristocracy and Indian Maharajas were able to
live lavish lifestyle although they are up to ears in dept.
Displaying 1 of 1 review