Survey Data
Reg No
15306019
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Gate lodge
In Use As
House
Date
1820 - 1840
Coordinates
265631, 268459
Date Recorded
13/07/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay one-and-a-half storey Gothic Revival-style castellated gate lodge, built c.1830, now in use as a private residence. Projecting single-bay full-height tower to centre of front (south) and west facades with smaller slightly advanced towers to corners, all on a square plan. Roof hidden behind heavy battlemented parapet with ashlar coping. Constructed of coursed rubble limestone with projecting ashlar string courses, moulded stone hoodmouldings above openings and moulded stone 'wheel' devices to sides of projecting towers. Pointed-arched and square-headed window openings with timber casement windows. Square-headed doorcase to front of projecting tower to south façade with timber door with brass fittings. Various modern extensions in Gothic Revival-style to north and east. Set back from road in own grounds with gardens to front and rear. Located at east end of Clonmellon Village at the northwest corner of the former Killua castle demesne.
Appraisal
An attractive and robust gate lodge which retains its original character and much of its original fabric. The later extensions fit in well with the original fabric and does not overly detract from the visual appeal of this pretty structure. This building was probably built to designs by James Sheil (c.1790 - 1845), who reputedly carried out extensive works on Killua Castle itself at the same time. James Shiel was an noted exponent of the Picturesque Gothic castle-style, which was popular in Ireland during the first half of the nineteenth century. Shiel also carried out works in a similar style at Tullynally Castle (Castlepollard), Knockdrin Castle (near Mullingar) and most notably at Kileen Castle (near Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath). This structure can almost be described as a 'toy castle', a romantic feature sometimes built on Irish country estates around the time this building was constructed. This gate lodge remains an attractive feature in the landscape and forms part of an important collection of demesne-related structures within the former Killua Castle estate.