Survey Data
Reg No
12325011
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
House
In Use As
House
Date
1700 - 1795
Coordinates
245920, 122203
Date Recorded
05/07/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey over basement house, extant 1795, on an L-shaped plan centred on single-bay single-storey gabled projecting porch to ground floor; single-bay (single-bay deep) two-storey return (south). Pitched slate roof on an L-shaped plan, clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stacks on cushion courses on limestone ashlar bases having corbelled stepped capping supporting yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging slate flagged eaves with cast-iron downpipes. Roughcast battered walls bellcast over rendered plinth. Square-headed door opening approached by flight of nine cut-limestone steps between wrought iron railings with concealed dressings framing glazed timber panelled double doors. Segmental-headed door opening into house with timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (ground floor) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, timber mullions, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (first floor) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, timber mullions, and concealed dressings framing two-over-four timber sash windows without horns. 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-limestone cylindrical piers having cut-limestone octagonal capping supporting flat iron "farm gate".
Appraisal
A house representing an important component of the domestic built heritage of County Kilkenny with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds and the meandering Pil River; the compact plan form centred on a restrained doorcase showing a simple hub-and-spoke fanlight; the feint battered silhouette; the diminishing in scale of the widely spaced openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with those openings showing pretty bipartite glazing patterns; and the slightly oversailing roof. Having been well maintained, the form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of historic fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including shimmering glass in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, a nearby gate lodge (see 12325012) contributes positively to the setting of a self-contained estate having historic connections with the Briscoe family including Edward Villiers Briscoe (1755-1826); and his sons Captain Edward Briscoe (1792-1881) '[who] served as Brigade Major in the Burmese War 1826' (cf. 12327007) and George Briscoe (1799-1862) 'late of Garryricken in the County of Kilkenny' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1862, 17). NOTE: Willmount House was captured in a photograph by W.H. Poole of Waterford mislabelled as "Millmount House" [NLI POOLEIMP 202A].