No matter what the future holds, the world will always need salesmen; unfortunately I am thoroughly unsuited to the job. This became brutally apparent when I agreed to mind the shop for a pre Christmas art exhibition, neglecting my sales duties as I became increasingly engrossed in the Earl of Roden's book 'Tollymore - The story of an Irish Demesne'. I found the text far more appealing than attempting to match artwork with the living room curtains of potential customers; thankfully many of the paintings managed to sell themselves in spite of my failings. The book charts Tollymore's development from a deer park to a forest park, illuminating the wonderful legacies left by successive guardians. In addition to being an enjoyable and enlightening read, this book may prove to be an important legacy in its own right. Tollymore may have changed a lot down through the centenaries but much of its character has remained; architecture inspired by Thomas Wright and adorned with 'bap stones' ornament the park, as do the resident Fallow deer. Despite colour variations fallow deer are distinguishable from other species simply by their presence in a park, the palmate antlers and a prominent Adams apple. The park, always worth a visit is enchanting when bathed in moonlight; approaching the Clanbrassill Barn late one evening I surprised a herd of grazing deer. Vigilant quarry like the deer or even the suspicious grey back crows seem to know if you are armed or present a threat, and react accordingly. Whatever the reason the deer continued to feed and remained just long enough for a quick sketch before 'plonking' back into the forest to resume their elusive existence. Similarly local interest books like 'Tollymore' can often prove elusive after the initial publication, if you happen to chance upon one, buy it before it vanishes.