Survey Data
Reg No
12402816
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Previous Name
The Glebe
Original Use
Rectory/glebe/vicarage/curate's house
In Use As
House
Date
1805 - 1810
Coordinates
258949, 145055
Date Recorded
25/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay (two- or three-bay deep) two-storey over part raised basement Board of First Fruits Church of Ireland glebe house, built 1807, on a square centred on single-bay single-storey projecting glazed porch to ground floor. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1995. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan with pitched slate roof (north-west), pressed or rolled lead ridges, rendered chimney stacks having stringcourses below "Cavetto"-detailed capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-limestone shallow eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Roughcast walls bellcast over rendered base. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of eleven lichen-spotted dragged cut-limestone steps with drag edged dragged cut-limestone Gibbsian surround framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings (basement) with concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows behind wrought iron bars. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings (west) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing three-over-six timber sash windows without horns. Square-headed window openings (south-east) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings (north-east) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on plasterwork ceiling rose; reception room (south-west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; staircase hall (west) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber "spindle" balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in turned timber newels, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; drawing room (south-east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, rosette-detailed cut-white marble chimneypiece, and picture railing below moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; dining room (north-east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, cut-black marble chimneypiece, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and (first floor): carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers. Set in landscaped grounds.
Appraisal
A glebe house erected with financial support from the Board of First Fruits (fl. 1711-1833) representing an important component of the early nineteenth-century built heritage of County Kilkenny with the architectural value of the composition, one recalling the contemporary Kilmaine Glebe House (1819) in County Mayo (see 31312133), confirmed by such attributes as the skewed alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the compact near-square plan form centred on a Gibbsian doorcase demonstrating good quality workmanship in an overpainted silver-grey limestone; and the slight diminishing in scale of the widely spaced openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" defined by a polygonal bay window. 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 some shimmering glass in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, an adjacent coach house-cum-stable outbuilding (see 12402836); a walled garden (----); and a nearby gate lodge (see 12402837), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate having historic connections with the Kilfane parish Church of Ireland clergy including Archdeacon Crinus Irwin (1771-1859); the Venerable Joseph Thacker (1807-83) 'late of Kilfane Glebe County Kilkenny' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1883, 846); and Reverend George Beresford Power (1849-1931), 'Clergyman of Church of Ireland [and] Rector of Kilfane' (NA 1901; NA 1911).