Survey Data
Reg No
22206014
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Archaeological, Architectural
Previous Name
Ballygriffin
Original Use
House
In Use As
House
Date
1500 - 1850
Coordinates
200747, 140329
Date Recorded
07/06/2005
Date Updated
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Description
Detached five-bay two-storey house, built c.1840, but incorporating medieval bawn wall of tower house. Projecting fourth bay is modified mural tower of bawn and has canted-bay window. Two-bay single-storey extension to rear. Pitched slate roof, pyramidal to tower and catslide over extension, with rendered chimneystacks and having gablets to first floor front windows. Painted rendered walls with rendered plinth course. Square-headed openings with replacement uPVC windows having limestone sills. Square-headed door opening in porch with glazed timber double doors, approached by flight of limestone steps. Multiple-bay two-storey outbuilding built onto south wall of bawn and has pitched slate roof and wider and higher square-plan tower to east end with pyramidal slate roof, roughcast rendered walls and elliptical-arched carriage entrance with brick voussoirs. Building also incorporates reused medieval stonework. Five-bay single-storey outbuilding to west having pitched slate roof and central elliptical-arched carriage entrance with brick voussoirs. Five-bay single-storey with attic building to east of bawn is pair of workers' houses and has pitched slate roof, rubble limestone walls and limestone pediments to windbreaks, having timber battened doors. Other pitched slate outbuildings elsewhere in bawn. Remains of five-storey medieval tower house to north of house, round-arched gateway to west and flanker towers to north-west and south-west. Three-bay single-storey gate lodge to west with hipped slate roof and brick chimneystack, painted roughcast rendered walls, square-headed window openings having limestone sills and square-headed doorway with timber battened doors. Road entrance gates with rendered piers, double-leaf cast-iron gates with sweeping rendered walls having roughly carved copings terminating in rendered piers.
Appraisal
This handsome house, set in a mature landscape, is remarkable for being built onto and incorporating a medieval bawn wall. It retains much of its original form and structure despite some additions and alterations. The tower provides a strong focus and its roofline and the dormer windows add a sense of rhythm to the facade. The site retains its fine outbuildings which retain many features and materials such as the pitched slate roofs and carriage arches with brick voussoirs. Ballygriffin House continues a pattern of settlement over five centuries at this site. The diminutive gate lodge is of simple design and is enhanced by the retention of its brick chimneystack and slate roof. The substantial piers and boundary walls form an attractive entrance to the house and make a pleasing roadside feature.