Survey Data
Reg No
20818021
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Almshouse
In Use As
Almshouse
Date
1775 - 1785
Coordinates
181357, 113121
Date Recorded
03/10/2006
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Terraced five-bay two-storey over basement U-plan house, built 1777, as part of scheme of almshouses. Rear elevation consists of two-bay three-storey blocks flanking central two-bay two-storey part having integral carriage arch to ground floor. Hipped slate roof, slightly higher than flanking buildings, with moulded limestone cornice, rendered chimneystacks, terracotta chimney pots and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered coursed limestone walls with cut limestone quoins and plinth course. Camber-headed window openings to first floor and segmental-headed window openings to ground floor, all having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows, red brick block-and-start surrounds and limestone sills. Square-headed window openings to basement, having six-over-three pane timber sliding sash and replacement uPVC windows, all having limestone sills and brick voussoirs. Round-headed door opening with timber panelled door, set into carved limestone doorcase, having moulded cornice and triple keystone, with timber spoked fanlight, approached by limestone steps over area. Rendered boundary wall with limestone coping.
Appraisal
Kingston College was built by the Earl of Kingston for the "poor Gentlemen and Gentlewomen members of the Church of Ireland," with tenants of the estate having priority. It is one of the best examples of both a Georgian square and charitable housing in Ireland. This house is the largest in the square and is prominently sited to one side of the central chapel, and is matched on the other side of the chapel by a similar block. Its fine limestone doorcase is the decorative focus of the house and the retention of timber sash windows and the panelled door considerably enhances the building's historic character.