Survey Data
Reg No
15702617
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
In Use As
Farm house
Date
1775 - 1785
Coordinates
297401, 133151
Date Recorded
17/08/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey farmhouse with half-dormer attic, built 1780; extant 1798, on an L-shaped plan; single-bay (single-bay deep) two-storey return (west). Occupied, 1901. Leased, 1911. Sold 1954. Reroofed, ----. Replacement pitched artificial slate roof; replacement pitched artificial slate roof (west), ridge tiles, concrete or rendered coping to gables with rendered chimney stacks to apexes having stepped capping supporting yellow terracotta tapered pots, central roofline to front (east) pitch, and uPVC rainwater goods on boxed eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Rendered, ruled and lined battered wall to front (east) elevation; fine roughcast battered surface finish (remainder). Segmental-headed central door opening with three cut-granite steps, and concealed dressings framing glazed timber panelled door having overlight. Square-headed window openings centred on segmental-headed window opening (first floor) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes centred on four-over-two timber sash window having part exposed sash box. Square-headed window openings (west) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on bas-relief ceiling rose, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber "spindle" balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in volute, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing 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 on panelled risers. Set in landscaped grounds with rendered, ruled and lined piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping supporting wrought iron double gates.
Appraisal
A farmhouse representing an important component of the eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one evoking comparisons with the contemporary "Kyle Glebe" (extant 1798) near Oulart (see 15702120), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking the River Slaney with its rolling backdrop; the symmetrical frontage centred on a restrained doorcase; the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor; and the high pitched roofline. 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; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the modest artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1840); and a walled garden (extant 1903), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Lett family including Elizabeth Boxwell (née Lett) (1770-1813) of Linziestown House (see 15704784); and William Lett (1812-83) and Anne Lett (1818-93) 'late of Kilgibbon County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1883, 488; cf. 15704608).