Survey Data
Reg No
31211005
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social, Technical
Previous Name
Villa Lodge
Original Use
House
In Use As
House
Date
1800 - 1830
Coordinates
97025, 283723
Date Recorded
08/08/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay single-storey over part raised basement house, extant 1830, originally on a Y-shaped plan with single-bay (five-bay deep) full-height central return (south). Truncated, pre-1897, producing present composition. Renovated, 1993. Replacement hipped fibre-cement slate roof on a T-shaped plan with roll moulded clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks on axis with ridge having corbelled stepped stringcourses below capping supporting yellow terracotta tapered pots, and uPVC rainwater goods on rendered cut-limestone stepped eaves. Replacement cement rendered walls. Pseudo three centre-headed central door opening approached by flight of five replacement reconstituted limestone steps, timber doorcase with fluted pilasters supporting cornice on "Acanthus"-detailed fluted consoles, and moulded rendered surround framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with replacement reconstituted limestone sills, and moulded rendered surrounds framing replacement two-over-two timber sash windows. Set in landscaped grounds.
Appraisal
A house erected by the Brownes of Westport House representing an integral component of the early nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of the outskirts of Westport with the architectural value of the composition suggested by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking Westport Bay; and the once-symmetrical footprint centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original or replicated fabric, thus upholding much of the character or integrity of a house having historic connections with a succession of tenants including Courtney Kenny JP (1781-1863) of Ballinrobe (see 31215014); and John Sidney Smith (----) of Derryvale House, County Tipperary (NUIG).