Survey Data
Reg No
40000450
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social
Previous Name
Cavan Railway Station
Original Use
Outbuilding
In Use As
Market place
Date
1860 - 1870
Coordinates
241558, 305361
Date Recorded
06/08/2012
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached five-bay double-height former goods shed, built c.1865, with single-storey four-bay red-brick former goods office to south, c.1920, and later lean-to extension to west. Now part of livestock mart. Pitched slate roof with cast-iron rainwater goods. Squared rubble stone walls with dressed quoin stones. Semi-circular arch with dressed voussoirs in upper level of both gables comprising blind rendered recess to south and window opening to north. Cut-stone string courses at cill level defining traingular gable. Round-arched openings with dressed voussoirs and raised impost stone to western side of both gables aligned for entry and exit of trains. Later square-headed opening to eastern bay of north gable. Row of four round-headed arches to east elevation. Sheeted timber door to south gable opening, all other openings blocked or with replacement doors or windows. Red-brick walls in English bond to goods office with segmental-head windows, chamfer-stop detail to reveals and heads, stone sills and timber sash windows with horizontal panes.
Appraisal
A substantial former goods shed that retains its characteristic robust appearance. It exhibits high quality craftsmanship in the execution of the stonework, typical of railway architecture. The red-brick goods office forms a contrast to the robust stone masonry of the shed. Though built for a strictly utilitarian purpose the building is architecturally well composed. The position of its openings demonstrate how it was used for loading and unloading goods. It played an important role in the transport of goods and provides valuable insight into the social and economic history of the town and its hinterland. The goods shed forms part of a group of structures formerly associated with Cavan railway station.