Survey Data
Reg No
15310019
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Previous Name
Wellington Barracks
Original Use
Sports hall/centre/gymnasium
In Use As
Sports hall/centre/gymnasium
Date
1890 - 1900
Coordinates
242882, 253244
Date Recorded
20/07/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached double-height seven-bay single-storey former bath house, built 1896, now in use as a gymnasium. Pitched natural slate roof with glazed octagonal lantern to the centre having a hipped slate roof with leaded hips and a finial over. Constructed of coursed limestone rubble with brick trim. Segmental-headed window openings with brick surrounds having limestone keystone over and replacement windows. Three segmental-headed openings with brick dressings at attic level to the east side elevation having cast-iron windows. Central segmental-headed doorcase to the east elevation having brick surround with keystone over, a timber paneled door with overlight above. Doorcase flanked by a pair of segmental-headed window openings with brick surrounds having timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed doorcase to west end of the main elevation (south), probably a modern addition. Pair of cut limestone gate piers to the east end of main elevation. Located to the north end of Columb Barracks (15310007 to 15310019).
Appraisal
An interesting late nineteenth-century bath house/gymnasium, representing one of the later additions to the Columb Barracks complex (15310007 and 15310019). It retains much of its early form and fabric. The gray colour of the rubble limestone walls contrasts attractively with the red brick dressings to the openings, creating a pleasant appearance. The roof lantern and the long windows to the east gable indicate the need for light in a gymnasium complex. The roof lantern is a distinctive feature and is a landmark feature along Ashe Road to the north. This building is very similar to a bath house/gymnasium at Custume Barracks (15004188), Athlone, suggesting that they were part of a common building project. This building forms part of an important collection of structures within the Columb Barracks complex (15310007 to 15310019), constituting an important element of the architectural heritage of the area.