Survey Data
Reg No
15402903
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Worker's house
Date
1890 - 1910
Coordinates
207623, 239639
Date Recorded
01/10/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Group of four attached single-storey former worker’s houses associated with Creggan House (now demolished), built c.1900, each having a single-bay gable-fronted glazed timber entrance porch, two to the centre and one to either gable end (east and west). Canted bays to either end off main façade (south). Now out of use. Pitched natural slate roof with overhanging eaves, barge boards to gable ends, decorative terracotta ridge cresting with elaborate finials, cast-iron rainwater goods and four moulded red brick chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls over projecting plinth. Porches are constructed of red brick to base with rendered walls over having half-timbered detailing. Canted bays constructed of brick. Square-headed window openings with timber casement windows with cross detailing to upper sections. Windows arranged in groups of four along main elevation (south) with hoodmouldings over. Similar glazing pattern to porches. Square-headed openings to porch having timber and glazed timber doors. Located to the south of the site of Creggan House and to the southeast of Athlone. Rubble limestone wall to the rear (south) with freestanding tower to the west.
Appraisal
A highly picturesque group of former estate worker’s houses previously associated with Creggan House (now demolished), which retain their early form, character and fabric. These structures are built in a style which is much more commonly encountered on English estates and have exuberant detailing throughout. The timber casement windows are noteworthy survivals while the remarkable terracotta finials to the gables ends, including one depicting a griffin, are of artistic interest. These appealing structures are noteworthy additions to the built heritage of Westmeath and form part of an interesting group of structures associated with the now demolished Creggan House along the towers (15402901) to the west and the former entrance gates to the south (15402902).