Survey Data
Reg No
15702639
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
Date
1800 - 1840
Coordinates
299929, 138336
Date Recorded
08/01/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1840, on an L-shaped plan with four-bay (south) or single-bay (north) two-storey side elevations centred on single-bay (three-bay deep) full-height return (west). "Improved", pre-1903, producing present composition. Occupied, 1911. Sold, 1930. Now disused. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan centred on hipped slate roof (west) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having stringcourses below cornice capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging timber boarded eaves having timber consoles retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered walls; limewashed rendered surface finish (west). Round-headed central door opening approached by flight of three cut-granite steps, timber doorcase with reeded engaged colonettes supporting shallow cornice on dentilated frieze, and moulded rendered surround having concave reveals framing glazed timber panelled double doors having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings to side elevations with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows without horns. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; reception room (south) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; reception room (north) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surround to window opening framing timber panelled reveals or shutters, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds.
Appraisal
A farmhouse representing an integral component of the domestic built heritage of the rural environs of Enniscorthy with the architectural value of the composition, one most likely refronting a house dating back to the early eighteenth century, suggested by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking the wooded basin of a now-dry artificial lake; the near-symmetrical frontage centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also showing a simple radial fanlight; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" defined by bipartite or polygonal bay windows; and the decorative timber work embellishing the roofline: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the continued development or "improvement" of the farmhouse at the turn of the twentieth century. Having been reasonably well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior, including crown of cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1840); and a distant gate lodge (see 15702640), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of an estate having historic connections with the Hawkins family including Edward Hawkins (----), 'a man well known to be of the most ready and obliging disposition towards the lower order of the people' (Taylor 1800, 154); and Anthony Hawkins (----; Lewis 1837 I, 139); the Wallace family including William James Wallace (----) and Thomas James Wallace (----); Charles Grey Grey MA (1825-1915), 'Farmer [and] Justice of the Peace for Northern Ireland [and] Retired FSI London Service Greenwich Hospital' (NA 1901; Walford 1913, 272); and Thomas Louis Esmonde (1864-1919), 'Farmer late of Ballycourcey [sic] County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1919, n.p.).