Survey Data
Reg No
15004192
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Athlone Barracks
Original Use
Prison/jail
In Use As
Prison/jail
Date
1860 - 1865
Coordinates
203632, 241702
Date Recorded
10/10/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached three-bay two-storey over basement military prison, built c.1862. Pitched slate roof with limestone verges. Constructed of brick over limestone plinth. Narrow square-headed horizontal slit window openings with chamfered ashlar surrounds and iron bars. Square-headed doorcase with ashlar block-and-start surrounds and a timber sheeted door to side, reached by fight of cut stone steps flanked by rubble limestone parapet walls with rendered coping. Later single-storey extension to front. Located to east side of Custume Barracks.
Appraisal
An interesting utilitarian building with an unusual scale and detailing. It is believed to have been built in 1862, although it has the appearance of a more recent structure. It is the only yellow brick structure in the complex, helping to make this structure visible with the barrack complex. The heavy limestone surrounds to the prison windows and the doorcase are noteworthy features, demonstrating that attention to detail was given to openings even in the most utilitarian of structures. It remains an integral part of an important collection of military buildings within the Custume Barrack complex.