Survey Data
Reg No
15702026
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
In Use As
Farm house
Date
1860 - 1865
Coordinates
298963, 140869
Date Recorded
13/08/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, built 1862, on a square plan with two-bay (north) or three-bay (south) two-storey side elevations; single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (east). Occupied, 1901; 1911. Damaged, 1941. Sold, 1953. Hipped slate roof on an E-shaped plan with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks on rendered bases on axis with ridge having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta tapered pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slate flagged eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered wall to front (west) elevation bellcast over coursed rubble limestone plinth; part creeper- or ivy-covered fine roughcast surface finish (remainder). Segmental-headed central door opening with cut-granite step threshold, timber doorcase with panelled pilasters supporting "Cavetto"- detailed cornice on fluted consoles, and concealed dressings with hood moulding on ogee label stops framing timber panelled double doors having overlight. Square-headed window openings 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 moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds with cylindrical piers to perimeter having soldier course capping supporting looped wrought iron double gates.
Appraisal
A farmhouse erected by Thomas Rudd (1827-1903) and Emily Caroline Rudd (née Goodison) (1842-73) representing an important component of the mid nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of the suburban outskirts of Enniscorthy with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds with glimpses of the meandering River Slaney in the near distance; the compact near-square plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase demonstrating good quality workmanship; and the very slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of a farmhouse having historic connections with the Rudd family including the spinster sisters Ellen Rudd (1865-1943) and the artist Susan Dora Rudd (1869-1923) 'who exhibited several works with the Royal Hibernian Academy between 1895 and 1911'.