Survey Data
Reg No
13402733
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1750 - 1790
Coordinates
215050, 255103
Date Recorded
04/08/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Entrance gateway serving Cartron House (not in survey), built c. 1770, comprising a pair of ashlar limestone gate piers (on square-plan) having moulded limestone plinths, carved limestone mouldings to inner face of each pier, and stepped carved limestone capping with moulded cornice. Sections of rubble stone boundary wall to either side of gateway (east and south) having rubble stone coping over. Set slightly back from the road to the south/southwest of Ballymahon and to the north of Cartron House. Disused single-storey gate lodge (13402737) to the southwest side of the gateway
Appraisal
This imposing but elegant gateway is an important element of the built heritage of the Ballymahon area. The craftsmanship and quality of the stonework to the piers is of the highest standard and is of artistic merit. They survive in good condition and retain their early form and character. The style of the gate piers suggests that they date to the mid-to-late eighteenth century. The form and carved detailing to the piers is very similar to that found at a Clooncallow House (13402717), Creevaghmore (13402718) and at a secondary gate to Newcastle House (13402713), and it is possible that these gates at Cartron House formerly served another estate. Though no longer having its associated gates, this gateway must once have formed a prominent entrance to Cartron House to the south. This gateway forms a pair of related structures along with the attendant gate lodge (13402737) and adds interest to its pleasant rural location. Cartron House itself has historical connections with the Wright family from c. 1770 at the latest (a James Wright of Cartron died 1772 – will) until c. 1885. Lewis (1837) states that this was the home of a J. Wright, Esq. (Grand Juror of Longford in 1843), while the estate of an James S. B. (Simon Bradstreet) Wright of Cartron was some 236 acres in extent c. 1876. Cartron appears to have passed on a branch of the Slater family c. 1890, and was the home of an Arthur Slater in 1894 (Slater’s Directory).