Survey Data
Reg No
12403912
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Previous Name
Bessborough House
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1745 - 1755
Coordinates
245736, 123123
Date Recorded
24/11/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Gateway, c.1750, comprising pair of sandstone ashlar piers on cruciform plans with raised bands having stringcourses supporting friezes, carved cut-sandstone cornice capping supporting acorn finials, wrought iron open work panels supporting decorative wrought iron double gates, wrought iron open work panels framing decorative wrought iron flanking pedestrian gates, limestone ashlar outer piers with cut-limestone capping supporting urn finials, limestone ashlar screen wall with cut-limestone coping, limestone ashlar piers with cut-limestone capping supporting urn finials, sections of wrought iron railings, and limestone ashlar terminating piers with cut-limestone capping supporting ball finials. Road fronted at entrance to grounds of Bessborough House (Kildalton College).
Appraisal
Constructed in locally-sourced Country Kilkenny limestone and sandstone an elegantly-composed formal gateway known as "The Grand Gates" exhibits particularly fine craftsmanship with robust Classically-derived dressings identifying the architectural design value of the composition. Decorative iron work fashioned at the R. and B. Graham Foundry further enlivens the aesthetic appeal of a commanding gateway forming an imposing landmark at the entrance to the grounds of the Bessborough House (Kildalton College) (12325001/KK-39-25-01) estate.