Survey Data
Reg No
15701421
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Presbytery/parochial/curate's house
In Use As
Presbytery/parochial/curate's house
Date
1825 - 1839
Coordinates
289539, 147183
Date Recorded
28/09/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey parochial house, extant 1839, on a cruciform plan centred on single-bay single-storey gabled projecting glazed porch to ground floor; single-bay (single-bay deep) two-storey lean-to lower central return (north). Occupied, 1901; 1911. "Improved", 1928, producing present composition. Refenestrated, ----. Hipped slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on lean-to slate roof (north), pressed or rolled lead ridges, cement rendered chimney stacks having concrete capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging rendered slate or stone flagged eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered gritdashed roughcast walls on rendered plinth with rendered "bas-relief" strips to corners supporting rendered band to eaves. Segmental-headed central door opening into parochial house with cut-granite threshold, doorcase with egg-and-dart-detailed engaged Ionic columns supporting iron-covered cornice on pulvinated frieze, and concealed dressings having splayed reveals framing replacement glazed uPVC panelled double doors retaining fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and rendered "bas-relief" surrounds with hood mouldings framing replacement uPVC casement windows. Square-headed window openings to rear (north) elevation with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds shared with Saint Colman's Catholic Church with lichen-spotted granite ashlar piers to perimeter having pyramidal capping supporting spear head-detailed wrought iron double gates.
Appraisal
A parochial house erected under the aegis of Reverend John Dunne PP (----) representing an integral component of the early nineteenth-century built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one recalling the near-contemporary presbytery (1845) at Cloghbaun (see 15702527), suggested by such attributes as the compact plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also showing a pretty fanlight; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the slightly oversailing roofline. 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 interior: however, the introduction of replacement fittings to most of the openings has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of a parochial house forming part of a self-contained group alongside the adjacent Saint Colman's Catholic Church (see 15701420) with the resulting ecclesiastical ensemble making a pleasing visual statement in a rural village setting.