Survey Data
Reg No
15314001
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical
Original Use
Stables
Date
1740 - 1750
Coordinates
209310, 245966
Date Recorded
21/07/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Complex of multi-bay two-storey outbuildings/stable block arranged around a central courtyard, built c.1745, having central carriage arches to the east and west ranges. Bellcote over entrance to east side and a tower with a Diocletian opening to internal face of entrance arch to the west. Originally served Waterstown House (15314014), now out of use. Pitched and hipped natural slate roofs with brick chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Lime roughcast rendered walls over rubble stone construction with brick dressings to the openings. Square-headed window openings having cut stone sills and the remains of timber sliding sash windows. Loop hole openings to the first floor of all ranges. Square-headed doorways having remains of timber battened doors. Arcade of round-headed carriage arches to the inner face of range to the north. Located to south west of the ruins of Waterstown House (15314014) and to the south of Glassan.
Appraisal
A very fine former stable block and complex of outbuildings associated with Waterstown House (15314014), which retains its early form, character and fabric despite its now sadly derelict condition. This substantial complex illustrates the architectural detailing that was applied to even the ancillary/functional structures associated with the larger country estates in Ireland during the mid-eighteenth century. The scale of this complex offers an insight into the complex resources needed to support a large country estate at the time of construction. This structure is of significant historical and architectural importance through its connection with Waterstown House (15314014), once one of the largest estates in Westmeath. Waterstown House was originally built by the Temple-Handcock family, who enlisted the services of Richard Castle to design the main house and these outbuildings, c.1745. Richard Castle was one of the most important architects working in Ireland during the Early Georgian Period and has often been credited with popularising the Palladian style in Ireland. This complex forms part of an interesting group of demesne-related structures within the former Waterstown estate and is a worthy addition to the built heritage of Westmeath in its own right.