Survey Data
Reg No
15703008
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
In Use As
Farm house
Date
1755 - 1760
Coordinates
279989, 129469
Date Recorded
03/10/2007
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey over part raised basement farmhouse with dormer attic, dated 1757, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (east). For sale, 1837. "Restored", 1852. Occupied, 1911. Vacant, 1968-79. Undergoing "restoration", 2007. Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on pitched slate roof (east), clay ridge tiles, lichen-covered coping to gables with red brick Running bond chimney stacks to apexes having stepped capping supporting terracotta tapered pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-granite "Cyma Recta" or "Cyma Reversa" cornice retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Rendered, ruled and lined walls on cut-granite chamfered cushion course on rendered base. Square-headed central door opening approached by flight of five cut-granite steps between "Fleur-de-Lys"-detailed cast-iron railings, cut-granite lugged surround centred on double keystone framing glazed timber double doors having overlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows without horns having part exposed sash boxes centred on eight-over-eight timber sash window (first floor). Square-headed window openings to rear (east) elevation centred on square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing replacement uPVC casement windows centred on six-over-nine (first floor) or six-over-six (dormer attic) timber sash windows without horns having part exposed sash boxes. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in volute, carved timber surround to window opening to half-landing framing timber panelled reveals or shutters, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds with rendered piers to perimeter having concrete capping.
Appraisal
A farmhouse erected by Richard Giles ("R.G./1757") representing an important component of the mid eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one annotated as "Robins-Town" by Taylor and Skinner (1778 pl. 152), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking rolling grounds; the symmetrical footprint centred on a restrained doorcase demonstrating good quality workmanship in a silver-grey granite; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the high pitched roof repaired with the financial assistance of a grant (2008) from The Heritage Council. A prolonged period of unoccupancy in the later twentieth century notwithstanding, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including crown or cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; Classical-style chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings ("1767"; "1876") continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a neat self-contained estate having historic connections with the Giles family including George Giles (Lewis 1837 II, 533); and the Elmes family including Samuel Elmes (1797-1879) 'of Robinstown' (cf. 15703009); Robert Rossborough King Elmes MRCPI (1855-1909) '[of] Robinstown' (cf. 15703009); Thomas Samuel Elmes (----), 'Farmer' (NA 1911); and Captain King Elmes RAMC (1893-1918), 'killed in action at Messines Ridge' (cf. 15703009).