Survey Data
Reg No
15401111
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
Demesne walls/gates/railings
In Use As
Demesne walls/gates/railings
Date
1800 - 1840
Coordinates
233965, 260935
Date Recorded
05/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Entrance gates serving former Tristernagh House Demesne (demolished), built c.1820, comprising central entrance flanked by pedestrian entrances to either side with sections of quadrant walls to east and west. Gateway formed of six cut stone gate piers on square plan with chamfered plinths. Moulded cut stone coping to outer piers. Inner piers to central entrance support a pair of cast-iron gates. Pedestrian entrance to west retains cast-iron gate, pedestrian entrance to east now partially blocked up. Quadrant walls constructed of rubble stone with cut stone coping over. Located to the south of the site of Tristernagh House/Abbey adjacent to Templecross church on small country road.
Appraisal
An attractive and well-built gateway that once served as the main entrance to Tristernagh Demesne. It is constructed of fine cut limestone masonry and still retains good cast-iron gates despite its now dilapidated condition. Tristernagh was originally an important Augustinian Abbey, founded c. 1200 by Geoffrey de Costentin. This abbey was abandoned following the Dissolution and was granted to the Piers Family. Sir William Pigot Piers apparently incorporated much of the fabric of this abbey into a new dwelling house in 1783, causing much local 'outrage'. A new house was built to the north of the original abbey/house in the early nineteenth-century and it is likely that the present gates were built to serve this structure. This house has been subsequently demolished. These gates are sited adjacent to a ruined fifteenth century church with later graveyard (15401112), collectively adding historical interest and visual appeal to the local landscape.