Survey Data
Reg No
15505082
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Archaeological, Architectural, Historical, Social
Original Use
Barracks
In Use As
Barracks
Date
1720 - 1730
Coordinates
305174, 121425
Date Recorded
05/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached fifteen-bay two-storey soldiers' quarters blockhouse, opened 1725, on a U-shaped plan with single-bay (four-bay deep) two-storey projecting end bays; twelve-bay two-storey rear (west) elevation centred on two-bay two-storey gabled projecting lower breakfront. Occupied, 1901. Vacant, 1911. Renovated, ----. Replacement pitched and hipped artificial slate roof on a U-shaped plan centred on pitched artificial slate roof (west), ridge tiles, grey brick Running bond (south) or red brick Running bond (north) chimney stacks centred on paired grey brick Running bond chimney stacks having concrete capping supporting terracotta pots, coping to gables, and uPVC rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on box eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Patched roughcast walls bellcast over rendered plinth. Square-headed central door opening with concealed dressings framing timber boarded door having overlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows. Square-headed door openings (end bays) with cut-granite thresholds, and concealed dressings framing timber boarded doors having overlights. Paired square-headed window openings (west) with cut-granite sills, and cut-granite monolithic surrounds framing fixed-pane fittings behind wrought iron bars. Set on an elevated site with roughcast red brick Running bond piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping supporting wrought iron double gates.
Appraisal
A soldiers' quarters blockhouse representing an important component of the early eighteenth-century built heritage of Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one occupying the site of a castle 'traditionally thought to have been built by King John [and] certainly in existence by 1221' [SMR WX037-032001-], confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking Wexford Harbour; the symmetrical footprint centred on a featureless doorcase; and the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor. Having been well maintained, the form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the utilitarian interior: however, the piecemeal introduction of replacement fittings to the openings has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of a soldiers' quarters blockhouse making a pleasing visual statement overlooking Barrack Street.