Survey Data
Reg No
15314018
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Grotto
Date
1760 - 1800
Coordinates
209931, 246446
Date Recorded
18/09/2006
Date Updated
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Description
A three-bay gable-fronted single-storey grotto/hermitage (on rectangular-plan) associated with Waterstown House (15314014), erected c.1780. Built into the side of a south-facing hill with roof now partially collapsed. Constructed using irregular water-worn limestone rubble and overgrown with ivy. Pointed arched window openings to either side of central pointed-arched doorway to the centre of the south elevation. Three niches to north side of interior and the remains of a fireplace to the west side. Located to the north of the ruins of Waterstown House, overlooking a lake to the south. Stone tablet adjacent to grotto reads ' On Sunday the 6th of January 1839, Ireland was visited with a tremendous hurricane which destroyed much of the fine old timber of this demesne'.
Appraisal
An appealing rustic grotto/hermitage associated with Waterstown House (15314014), which retains its early picturesque character. This feature was built to act as a retreat in the grounds of this once great country house. The presence of a fireplace to the interior is an interesting and unusual feature. Hermitages and grottos of this type were not an uncommon feature in the larger country estates in Ireland during the mid-to-late eighteenth-century. The construction using irregular water worn limestone rubble creates an intentionally primitive and crude atmosphere. This feature is very pleasantly located on a south-facing slope with extensive views overlooking a lake and the remains of Waterstown House. The cut stone tablet located adjacent to this grotto/hermitage is an interesting historical reminder of the so-called night of the 'Big Wind' on the 6th of January 1839. This storm probably caused more widespread damage throughout Ireland than any other storm in recorded history. Winds reached hurricane force and it is estimated that between a fifth and a quarter of all houses in Dublin alone had damage ranging from broken windows to complete destruction.