Survey Data
Reg No
15306021
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Gate lodge
In Use As
House
Date
1850 - 1870
Coordinates
266739, 268895
Date Recorded
29/07/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached single-storey two-bay gate lodge, built c.1860, with projecting single bay gable-fronted porch to front facade (south). Hipped natural slate roof with clay ridge tiles, overhanging bracketed eaves, a single ashlar chimneystack to centre and cast-iron rainwater goods. Constructed of coursed dressed limestone to main facade, rendered elsewhere. Square-headed window openings with ashlar block-and-start surrounds, cut stone sills and replacement windows. Original timber sash window in round-headed opening to east elevation of projecting porch. Square-headed doorcase with replacement door to centre of projecting porch with decorative bargeboards above. Set slightly back from road with modern blockwork wall to street frontage and single-storey flat-roofed extension to rear. Located in prominent position to the east of Clonmellon Village and immediately to the north of the 'Kells Road' entrance to Killua Castle.
Appraisal
A well-composed gate lodge serving one of the principal entrances to the Killua Castle estate. It retains its original character and form despite recent alterations. This gate lodge was probably built by Sir Benjamin Chapman who carried out extensive works to the castle itself between 1854 and 1870. Sir Benjamin Chapman was the 4th Baronet of the Estate and served as Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum (keeper of the rolls) for County Westmeath and was High Sheriff in 1856. This building is much more modest in terms of architectural scale and detail than any of the earlier gate lodges surrounding the demesne. This is difficult to explain as the Killua Estate was at its highest point during the time this lodge was constructed. This well-built lodge is an attractive addition to the important collection of structures associated with the former Killua Castle Demesne and adds to the overall visual appeal of the area.