Survey Data
Reg No
15403815
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social
Original Use
Building misc
In Use As
Community centre
Date
1860 - 1900
Coordinates
239868, 232982
Date Recorded
04/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey structure, built c.1880, having a two-bay gable-fronted section and a projecting single-bay single-storey porch having a mono-pitched natural slate roof over to the centre of the entrance facade (south). Now in use as a community centre. Pitched natural slate roof with bracketed eaves, a central red brick chimneystack and cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls with square-headed window openings having cut limestone sills and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed doorway to projecting porch having a timber sheeted door with a three-paned overlight over. Cut stone date plaque over projecting porch (not read). Set back from road in own grounds with a rendered boundary wall and a pair of rendered gate piers (on square-plan), supporting a wrought-iron gate, to the road-frontage. Located adjacent to the east of Rahugh Roman Catholic church (15403823) and to the south of Tyrrellspass.
Appraisal
An appealing and well-balanced building, which retains its original form, historic character and early fabric. The form of this building suggests that it was built for a community purpose. Its form is reminiscent of a late nineteenth-century school master’s house (possibly associated with Rahugh School (not in survey) located a short distance to the west). However, its position adjacent to Rahugh Roman Catholic church suggests that it may have been built as a parochial house. It remains in community use following conversion to a community centre in recent years. This unassuming building is integral part of the architectural heritage of the Rahugh, adding to the historic veneer of the rural landscape of south Westmeath. The simple wrought-iron gate and rendered boundary wall add to the setting of this attractive small-scale building.