Survey Data
Reg No
15612005
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Rectory/glebe/vicarage/curate's house
In Use As
House
Date
1730 - 1740
Coordinates
302253, 150077
Date Recorded
08/06/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey double-pile over part raised basement Board of First Fruits Church of Ireland glebe house, built 1735, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (north). Refronted, 1812, producing present composition. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1969. Resold, 1996. "Restored", 1997. Pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on pitched slate roof (north), roll moulded clay ridge tiles, lichen-spotted cut-granite coping to gables on cut-granite kneelers with red brick Running bond (west) or rendered red brick Running bond (east) chimney stacks to apexes having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta tapered pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-granite eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered coursed rubble stone wall to front (south) elevation on lichen-spotted cut-granite chamfered cushion course on coursed rubble stone base with cut-granite flush quoins to corners; lime rendered surface finish (remainder). Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and red brick block-and-start surrounds framing six-over-six timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings to rear (north) elevation centred on round-headed window openings, cut-granite sills, and concealed red brick block-and-start surrounds framing six-over-six timber sash windows without horns centred on three-over-three (basement), six-over-six (half-landing) or three-over-three (top floor) timber sash windows having fanlights. Repositioned segmental-headed door opening (east) approached by flight of four lichen-spotted cut-limestone steps, cut-granite lugged surround with archivolt framing timber panelled door having overlight. Square-headed flanking window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four timber sash windows. Set in landscaped grounds with piers to perimeter having lichen-covered cut-granite shallow pyramidal capping supporting wrought iron double gates.
Appraisal
A glebe house representing an important component of the eighteenth-century built heritage of Ferns with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking rolling grounds with the medieval Saint Peter's Church [SMR WX015-003005-] as a picturesque eye-catcher in the near distance; the compact plan form; the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression; and the high pitched roofline: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the continued development or "improvement" of the glebe house with financial support (1805) from the Board of First Fruits (fl. 1711-1833; Lewis 1837 I, 625). Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including some crown or cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1840); a waterpump (----); a wedge-shaped walled garden (extant 1840); and a much modified gate lodge (extant 1840), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Ferns parish Church of Ireland clergy including Reverend Mark Chartres (1761-1834), author of "Vinegar Hill" (1803) and "The Parricide" (1811) and for '6 Years Curate and 36 Vicar of Ferns' (cf. 15612001); Reverend Henry Newland DD (d. 1862), founder (1826) of the Bannow Grammar School and author of "An Apology for the Establish Church in Ireland" (1829; cf. 15704550); Reverend Henry Moore (1784-1856) 'who during a period of 47 years approved himself a faithful minister of GOD' (cf. 15612001); and Reverend Thomas Brownell Gibson (1847-1927), 'Clerk in Holy Orders [and] Dean of Ferns' (NA 1901; NA 1911; cf. 15612001).