Survey Data
Reg No
13402506
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
Boathouse
In Use As
Boathouse
Date
1860 - 1890
Coordinates
203765, 254996
Date Recorded
06/09/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached gable-fronted boat house associated with Portanure House (13402505), built c. 1875, having three-bay side elevations (east and west). Pitched natural slate roof with cut limestone eaves course, carried across gables to form string courses, and raised cut stone verges to gable ends. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Dressed ashlar limestone walls. Segmental-arched boat opening to south gable end having cut limestone voussoirs to arch and timber double-doors. Paired segmental-headed window opening over to south gable, having chamfered cut limestone surround, thin hoodmouldings and timber top-hung windows. Slit windows/loophole openings to side elevations and to north gable. Square-headed door opening to east elevation having cut limestone keystone, timber battened door and hooped wrought-iron flat bar gate. Square-headed door opening to north gable end having decorative cut limestone keystone, label moulding and timber door. Located on the shore of Lough Ree to the southwest of Portanure Lodge. Channel to the south, living access to lake, having dressed ashlar limestone retaining walls. Steps to retaining walls. Pier/jetty to the southwest having moulded cut stone mooring post.
Appraisal
This charming boat house retains its early character, form and fabric. It is unusually well-built using high quality dressed ashlar limestone and has cut stone detailing throughout. The craftsmanship and conscious design involved in this boathouse is evident in the simplicity and the harmony of its parts. The eaves course raises to form the label moulding over the door. The segmental arch for the boat is echoed above in the segmental-headed windows. Set in idyllic surroundings in the grounds of Portanure Lodge (13402505), it is afforded magnificent views over Lough Ree. The finely cut limestone used in the boathouse is continued along the approach channel and to the jetties. This small-scale structure forms part of a pair of related structures along with the main house, and is an important element of the built heritage of County Longford in its own right. There is possibly another boat house with associated channel located to the east of this site (not investigated; evident on map).