Survey Data
Reg No
31906010
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social, Technical
Original Use
Country house
Date
1800 - 1820
Coordinates
184527, 304072
Date Recorded
15/08/2003
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Remains of basement and subway tunnels of former Rockingham House, built c.1810, to the designs of John Nash. Basement walls survive comprising of coursed and random rubble limestone and red brick. Modern concrete viewing tower rising from the basement known as the Moy Lurg Tower. Four tunnel openings to the basement area. Main tunnel to north joined by ancillary tunnel travels in a northerly direction arriving at mooring quays. Main tunnel to east joined by ancillary tunnel travels in a easterly direction arriving at the main harbour and icehouse. Both tunnels comprise barrel vaulted passageways lit by lightwells with flagged and earth floors. There are a number of small rooms and stores off the main tunnels. Eastern tunnel opening has a cut limestone entrance flanked by arcaded stores.
Appraisal
This basement and tunnel system are the surviving remnants of Rockingham House, built by John Nash in 1810 which was, in its original form, considered one of the finest houses in Ireland. These surviving elements, along with the other remaining demesne structures such as stables, temple, icehouse, lodges, gates, church and quays are an important group, which as a whole represent an impressive example of the remains of demesne architecture in Ireland.