Survey Data
Reg No
15702933
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Archaeological, Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Country house
In Use As
Country house
Date
1775 - 1790
Coordinates
276231, 129739
Date Recorded
10/09/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay (five-bay deep) two-storey country house, built 1780-5, on an L-shaped plan including single-bay two-storey end bay with half-dormer attic (south); single-bay (four-bay deep) single-storey return with half-dormer attic (west). Leased, 1901-11. Vacant, 1940. Sold, 1957. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan abutting hipped slate roof (west) with clay ridge tiles, granite ashlar chimney stacks having ogee-detailed stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta pots, sproketed eaves, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on slightly overhanging slate flagged eaves retaining some cast-iron downpipes; pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof (end bay) with clay ridge tiles, red brick Running bond chimney stacks (south) having ogee-detailed stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron hopper and downpipe; hipped gabled and pitched slate roof (west) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stack having red brick stepped capping supporting terracotta pots, rooflights (north), and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered, ruled and lined walls on rendered plinth with rusticated rendered quoins to corners; part slate hung surface finish to rear (west) elevation; rendered battered walls (end bay) with sections of slate hung surface finish (south); part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered walls (west). Segmental-headed central door opening behind (single-storey) prostyle distyle portico approached by flight of three cut-granite steps with cut-granite columns on plinths supporting ogee-detailed cornice on blind frieze below parapet, and cut-granite doorcase with engaged columns on plinths originally supporting open bed pediment on "dosserets" framing timber panelled double doors having fanlight. "Venetian Window" (first floor) with cut-granite sill, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash window without horns having fanlight with two-over-two sidelights. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing nine-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (end bay) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four or two-over-four (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (west) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-three (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining flagged floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; square-headed door opening into staircase hall with carved timber surround framing timber panelled door; double-height staircase hall (west) retaining flagged floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with "match stick" balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in volute, carved timber Classical-style surround to window opening to half-landing framing timber panelled reveals or shutters, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors, and decorative plasterwork cornice to coved ceiling; dining room (south) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, chimneypiece, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; drawing room (north) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters, chimneypiece, and 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.
Appraisal
A country house erected by Colonel John Deane MP (d. 1801) of Terenure, County Dublin, representing an important component of the later eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of south County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one abutting 'a non-fortified tower erected during the peace that followed the Williamite Wars of the late seventeenth century' (Bunbury, n.p.), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking 'thriving plantations [and] commanding a distant view of the White mountains' (Lewis 1837 I, 122); the symmetrical façade centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase showing a simplified "peacock tail" fanlight; and the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor. 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 including not only crown or cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames, but also a partial slate hung surface finish widely regarded as an increasingly endangered hallmark of the architectural heritage of County Wexford: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; inlaid chimneypieces; and "bas-relief" Adam-esque plasterwork, all highlight the considerable artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (see 15702934); a walled garden (see 15702935); and nearby gate lodges (see 15702936; 157029--), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of an estate having historic connections with the Deane family including John Berkeley Deane (1767-1835) 'of Berkeley' (cf. 15703009); and John St. George Deane DL (1801-79) 'late of Berkeley Forest New Ross County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1879, 172); and a succession of tenants of Albert Henry Tyndall (1844-1918) of Ballyanne House (see 15702925) including George H. Ringrose (----), 'Gentleman' (NA 1901); and George H. Lambert (----), 'Landowner' (NA 1911).