Survey Data
Reg No
15321012
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Technical
Previous Name
John Locke and Company
Original Use
Store/warehouse
In Use As
Store/warehouse
Date
1845 - 1855
Coordinates
233134, 235502
Date Recorded
17/08/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Complex of industrial structures associated with Locke's Distillery, erected c.1850, comprising two and three-storey warehouses and a number of smaller ancillary structures. Now ruinous and out of use. Pitched natural slate roofs remain to a number of the buildings. Constructed of rubble limestone with brick surrounds to openings and quoin detailing to corners. Segmental-headed window openings with cut stone sills, timber shutters, and cast-iron security bars to ground floor openings. Square-headed door openings with timber battened doors throughout. Complex is set back from road in own grounds to the south of the main distillery complex and on the west bank of former tail race. Site enclosed by rendered boundary wall with access gained through a timber gate supported by rendered gate piers on square-plan. Carved stone plaque to east pier with inscription 'Locke AD 1850'. Footbridge to east facade.
Appraisal
An interesting complex of modest mid-nineteenth industrial buildings which retains their early form and character. This complex was originally built as part of Locke's Distillery and is of industrial archaeological and technical merit. It remains and important part of the industrial heritage of Westmeath and forms an attractive element of the streetscape on the main approach road into Kilbeggan from the west.