Survey Data
Reg No
14939013
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Original Use
Worker's house
In Use As
House
Date
1810 - 1830
Coordinates
214297, 197549
Date Recorded
08/09/2004
Date Updated
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Description
One of a pair of three-bay two-storey former worker's houses, built c.1820. Now in use as a private dwelling. Set back from road. Half-hipped slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles with rendered chimneystacks and some cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed window openings with timber sash windows and concrete sills. Square-headed door opening with timber battened half door. Stone outbuilding to rear site with corrugated-iron roof. Dry stone wall to front site with wrought-iron pedestrian gate. Located beside Ballycurragh Woods. Single-arch bridge adjacent to cottage.
Appraisal
There are a number of similarly designed houses with half-hipped roofs in the surrounding area. They were all built by the Darby Family of Leap Castle to provide accommodation for workers and their families. Although similar houses in the area have undergone major alterations, this house retains many original features that contributes to its character. The window openings on this cottages are slightly larger than the neighbouring house as they were enlarged. Leap Castle and associated structures are important features in the architectural heritage of County Offaly.