Survey Data
Reg No
12401001
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1870 - 1875
Coordinates
246097, 165237
Date Recorded
14/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Triumphal gateway, built 1874, in tripartite arrangement comprising round-headed vehicular gateway in pedimented screen with tooled limestone ashlar walls, cut-granite block-and-start surround extending through carved cut-limestone stringcourse to spring of arch into granite ashlar voussoirs having keystone, iron double gates having spear-head finials, granite ashlar piers flanking parapet having moulded necking supporting frieze, pediment having carved surround, round-headed flanking pedestrian gateways with cut-granite block-and-start surrounds continuing through carved limestone stringcourse to spring of arch into granite ashlar voussoirs, iron gates having spear-head finials, cut-limestone cornice supporting blocking course, and granite ashlar terminating piers having cut-limestone cornices supporting blocking courses. Road fronted at entrance to grounds of Swifte's Heath.
Appraisal
An elegantly-appointed gate screen built to designs prepared by Joseph Maguire (fl. 1860-74) making a dramatic visual statement at the entrance to the grounds of Swifte's Heath: forming a neat group with an attendant gate lodge (12401013/KK-10-13) the resulting ensemble represents a prominent landmark on the road leading from Ballyragget in the north to Kilkenny City in the south. Displaying particularly fine stone masonry throughout the construction in a combination of granite and limestone produces a austere palette enhancing the position of the composition on the side of the road: early iron work incorporating spear-head detailing further enhances the design aspirations of the site.