Survey Data
Reg No
13008001
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Artistic, Technical
Previous Name
Longford County Gaol
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1855 - 1865
Coordinates
213187, 275925
Date Recorded
12/08/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Entrance gateway to St. Christopher's Service, erected c. 1860, comprising central vehicle/carriage entrance flanked to either side (north and south) by pedestrian entrances set in sections of flanking walls. Four cut stone gate piers on square-plan having stepped plinths and with cut stone coping over. Coursed limestone stone boundary walls with carved limestone coping over and stepped plinth. Double leaf and pedestrian cast-iron gates. Coursed stone walls to north and south. Set directly onto the street at entrance to St. Christopher’s Service, formerly the jail reception/governor’s house of Longford Town prison/jail (13001036). Located adjacent to former gate lodge (13001034). Located to the north end of Longford Town centre.
Appraisal
This fine entrance gateway serves as an appropriate prelude to the significant group of structures contained within the site. High quality craftsmanship is evident in the substantial gate piers and detailing of the cast-iron gates. The sympathetic maintenance they receive promotes their significance. It forms part an interesting pair of related structures along with the associated gate lodge to the north (13001034). A reference in the Dublin Builder in 1859 states that an 'entrance lodge to the county gaol is to be built' and it is probable that this gateway was constructed at the same time. It is an interesting addition to the streetscape of Longford Town and is an integral component of the architectural heritage of the area.