Survey Data
Reg No
11904007
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
In Use As
Farm house
Date
1800 - 1826
Coordinates
282912, 184857
Date Recorded
30/10/2002
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey over part raised basement farmhouse, extant 1826, on a rectangular plan; three-bay full-height rear (east) elevation. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Hipped slate roof with clay ridge tiles, paired rendered central chimney stacks having cut-granite stepped capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered cut-granite eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered, ruled and lined walls on lichen-spotted plinth. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of four lichen-spotted cut-granite steps, cut-granite doorcase with engaged columns between engaged pilasters supporting shallow cornice on entablature, and cut-granite surround framing timber panelled double doors having sidelights below fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings to rear (east) elevation with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows centred on three-over-six timber sash window. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds with cut-granite monolithic piers to perimeter having stringcourses below shallow pyramidal capping supporting tubular steel "farm gate".
Appraisal
A farmhouse representing an important component of the early nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Kildare with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the compact rectilinear plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship in a silver-grey granite, but also showing a simplified "peacock tail" fanlight; and the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (----) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate having historic connections with the Strange family including Richard Strange (d. 1877) and Mary Clare Strange (d. 1877) 'late of Graney House Castledermott [sic] County Kildare' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1877, 707; 1880, 691); and the Germaine family including John Germaine (1831-1902) and Mary Germaine (1846-1911) 'late of Graney House County Kildare' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1902, 162; 1912, 224); and Edward Germaine (1880-1963).