Survey Data
Reg No
15703253
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
Farm house
Date
1720 - 1725
Coordinates
304614, 130511
Date Recorded
01/10/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey double-pile farmhouse, built 1724, on a T-shaped centred on single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch to ground floor. Pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof with roll moulded clay ridge tiles, rendered coping to gables with rendered chimney stacks to apexes having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta pots, slightly sproketed or swept eaves, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered slate flagged eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered roughcast slate hung battered wall to front (east) elevation; rendered, ruled and lined surface finish to side elevations with limewashed fine roughcast surface finish to rear (west) elevation. Elliptical-headed central door opening into farmhouse, doorcase with "Acanthus"-detailed engaged columns supporting shallow cornice on "Anthemion"-detailed fluted frieze, and concealed dressings having concave reveals framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed flanking window openings in tripartite arrangement with cut-granite sills, timber mullions, and concealed dressings framing nine-over-six timber sash windows without horns having three-over-two sidelights. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing four-over-eight timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings to rear (west) elevation with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing three-over-six (ground floor) or six-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in unkempt grounds with roughcast piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping supporting arrow head-detailed wrought iron double gates.
Appraisal
A farmhouse erected by John Goodall (1682-1779) representing an important component of the early eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the compact plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase showing a simple radial fanlight, albeit one largely concealed behind a later porch; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated tiered visual effect with the principal "apartments" defined by Wyatt-style tripartite glazing patterns; and the high pitched roofline. Having been reasonably 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 plastered slate hung surface finish widely regarded as an increasingly endangered hallmark of the architectural heritage of County Wexford: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1840); a walled orchard (extant 1840); and a nearby gate lodge (see 157032--), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate having historic connections with the Goodall family including John Goodall (1804-75) 'late of Wilmount County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1875, 266); and Elizabeth Jane Goodall (1835-1940), 'Landlady' (NA 1901).