Survey Data
Reg No
31309205
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Archaeological, Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
Farm house
Date
1700 - 1720
Coordinates
145201, 284975
Date Recorded
23/11/2010
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1720, on a symmetrical plan. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Occupied, 1944. Now disused. Pitched slate roof on collared timber construction with roll moulded clay or terracotta ridge tiles, lichen-covered concrete or rendered coping to gables with rendered chimney stacks to apexes having stringcourses below lichen-covered capping, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves with downpipes now missing. Part creeper- or ivy-covered roughcast battered walls with rusticated rendered piers to ends. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of four overgrown cut-limestone steps, drag edged dragged cut-limestone block-and-start surround centred on keystone with timber panelled double doors now boarded up behind wrought iron double gates. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and rendered "bas-relief" surrounds framing concrete block infill (ground floor) or timber boarded one-over-one timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes (first floor). Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, timber boarded staircase with timber balusters supporting timber banister terminating in chamfered timber newels, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber boarded doors, and timber boarded ceiling; drawing room (west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door, unhinged timber panelled shutters to window openings, and timber boarded ceiling; parlour (east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door, unhinged timber panelled shutters to window openings, and timber boarded ceiling; (first floor) bedroom (east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber boarded door with carved timber surrounds to window openings, chimneypiece, and timber boarded vaulted ceiling; partitioned bedroom (west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings, chimneypiece, and timber boarded vaulted ceiling. Set in unkempt grounds with overgrown piers to perimeter supporting wrought iron "farm gate".
Appraisal
A farmhouse erected for Captain Gerald Dillon (d. 1720) representing an important component of the domestic built heritage of the rural environs of Aghamore with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking the ruined Mannin Castle [SMR MA092-016001-] with the largely dry Mannin Lake as a backdrop; the compact rectilinear plan form centred on a restrained doorcase demonstrating good quality workmanship in a silver-grey limestone; and the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression: meanwhile, an unseen panel inscribed "GERALD DILLON OF MANNIN AND ELLIS DILLON HIS WIFE ORDERED THIS COAT OF ARMS TO BE ---- FORTH" highlights the archaeological potential of the farmhouse [SMR MA092-015----]. A prolonged period of unoccupancy notwithstanding, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, thus upholding much of the character or integrity of the composition. Furthermore, a nearby dovecote [SMR MA092-016002-]; and the remnants of a gate lodge (----), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a minor estate having historic connections with the Dillon family including John Dillon (d. 1731); the Beytagh [Beatty] family including James Beytagh (----) and Frances "Fanny" Betagh (née Dillon) (----); Miss Elizabeth Beytagh (----), of Ely Place, Galway (NUIG); and a succession of tenants including Austin Grogan (d. 1932), 'Steward [and] Shepherd' (NA 1901; NA 1911). NOTE: The farmhouse remains of some additional interest for the peripheral connections with Turlough "The Blind Harpist" O'Carolan (1670-1738) and the composition of "Fanny Dillon" and "James Beytagh".