Survey Data
Reg No
21831024
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Previous Name
National Bank of Ireland
Original Use
Bank/financial institution
In Use As
Bank/financial institution
Date
1865 - 1870
Coordinates
136395, 141758
Date Recorded
30/11/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached five-bay three-storey bank, built 1866, with two-storey return to north (rear) having lower gabled single-bay two-storey block to rear. Pitched slate roof with cut limestone chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Carved limestone corbelled cornice to south (front) elevation. Cut limestone walls with dressed flush limestone quoins, channelled limestone to front elevation below impost course. Camber headed window openings to second floor with shouldered carved limestone surrounds, cut limestone sills and two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed window openings to first floor with one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and continuous dressed limestone sill course. Those to outer bays with carved limestone surrounds comprising flanking pilasters with fluted consoles and pediments. Those to central bays with carved limestone shouldered surrounds and cornices. Round-headed openings to ground floor one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows with fanlights, stepped carved limestone surrounds incorporating decorative keystones and shared impost course. Square-headed openings to rear with dressed flush limestone surrounds and voussoirs, some with timber sliding sash windows, some with replacement windows. Round-headed openings to return and to ground floor of rear with dressed flush limestone surround and voussoirs. Flat arched opening to gabled rear block with tripartite one-over-one flanked by two-over-two pane timber sliding sash window. Round-headed door openings to front elevation with timber battened doors and fanlights, recessed within carved limestone square-headed surrounds with cornices, incorporating Corinthian style columns, imposts, fluted arches with decorative faced keystones. Cut limestone plinth wall surmounted by cast-iron railings to area.
Appraisal
This bank is of apparent architectural quality and occupies a prominent position on Main Street. Carved elements such as the doorcases and window surrounds enliven the solid stone construction. The style, form and detailing are typical opulent features of banks of this era, in fact this design is a variation of one which is found in many Irish towns. The masonry and detailing are clearly the work of skilled craftsmen and the diversity of treatment of the stone as well as the diversity of openings adds interest to the structure.