Survey Data
Reg No
15702618
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
In Use As
Farm house
Date
1885 - 1895
Coordinates
297789, 137772
Date Recorded
08/01/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, built 1890, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (north). Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1914. Resold, 1950. Resold, 1989. Hipped slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on hipped slate roof (north), clay ridge tiles, paired rendered central chimney stacks having concrete capping supporting terracotta tapered pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered slate flagged eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Creeper- or ivy-covered gritdashed roughcast walls on rendered plinth with rusticated rendered piers to corners supporting rendered band to eaves. Segmental-headed central door opening with cut-limestone threshold, and rusticated rendered surround having concave reveals framing timber panelled door having oversailing overlight. Square-headed window openings with creeper- or ivy-covered sills, and rendered "bas-relief" surrounds 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 picture railing below egg-and-dart-detailed decorative plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on decorative plasterwork ceiling rose; drawing room (west) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors centred on cut-veined grey marble Classical-style chimneypiece with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, and picture railing below moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on decorative plasterwork ceiling rose; dining room (east) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors centred on cut-white marble Classical-style chimneypiece with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, and picture railing below moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on decorative plasterwork ceiling rose; double-height staircase hall (north) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, cantilevered staircase on a dog leg plan with cast-iron balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in volute, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors, and decorative plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on decorative plasterwork ceiling rose; 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 creeper- or ivy-covered cylindrical piers to perimeter having domed capping supporting flat iron double gates.
Appraisal
A farmhouse representing an integral component of the domestic built heritage of the rural outskirts of Enniscorthy with the architectural value of the composition, one refronting a thatched house annotated as "Salville" by Taylor and Skinner (1778 pl. 143), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking the River Slaney with Bree Hill as a picturesque eye-catcher in the distance; the symmetrical frontage centred on a restrained doorcase; and the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression. 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 where contemporary joinery; Classical-style chimneypieces; and decorative plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (----) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Preston family including Alexander Preston (d. 1862), 'Solicitor late of Salville County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1862, 271); and Alexander P. Preston (d. 1919), 'Farmer late of Salville Enniscorthy County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1919, n.p.).