Survey Data
Reg No
11804055
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Garden temple
In Use As
Garden temple
Date
1900 - 1940
Coordinates
300516, 235598
Date Recorded
09/05/2002
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding cut-limestone garden temple, c.1920, comprising prostyle tetrastyle Ionic portico approached by flight of four cut-stone steps having frieze and pediment over sheltering statuary. Set back from road in grounds shared with Leixlip Castle.
Appraisal
This temple, built as a garden folly, is a fine, picturesque structure that has been very well-maintained to present an original aspect – the folly is evidence of the continued embellishment of Leixlip Demesne in to the early twentieth century. The use of a sophisticated Classical-style portico is an attractive foil to the medieval quality of the remainder of the architectural stock in the grounds of Leixlip Castle. The construction in cut-stone is a fine example of the high quality of stone masonry traditionally practised in the locality and this is especially evident in the carved detailing, particularly to the capitals, that has retained a crisp intricacy. The statuary within is of some artistic merit.