Survey Data
Reg No
15618009
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Original Use
Building misc
Date
1935 - 1940
Coordinates
272691, 108124
Date Recorded
21/10/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey caretaker's house, built 1939, on a rectangular plan; three-bay two-storey rear (south) elevation. Vacated, 1986. Now disused. Pitched and hipped slate roof with concrete ridge tiles, lichen-spotted coping to gable (east) with rendered chimney stack to apex having concrete capping supporting terracotta pots, and no rainwater goods surviving on timber eaves boards on rendered eaves with cast-iron rainwater goods to rear (south) elevation on timber eaves boards on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Roughcast wall to front (north) elevation on rendered chamfered plinth with rendered quoins to corners; rendered surface finish (remainder). Square-headed off-central door opening approached by flight of four concrete steps with rendered "bas-relief" surround centred on keystone framing glazed timber boarded door. Square-headed window openings with concrete sills, and concealed dressings framing timber casement windows having horizontal glazing bars. Set in shared grounds including relandscaped parade ground.
Appraisal
A caretaker's house illustrating the refortification of Duncannon Fort at the outbreak of "The Emergency" (1939-46) with the architectural value of the composition, one occupying the site of a garrison chapel illustrated (1685) by Thomas Phillips [SMR WX044-015002-], suggested by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form; and the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor with those openings showing characteristic horizontal glazing patterns. Having been reasonably well maintained, the form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the restrained interior, thus upholding the character or integrity of a caretaker's house forming part of a self-contained ensemble making a dramatic visual statement overlooking Waterford Harbour.