Survey Data
Reg No
40910323
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Previous Name
The Tower
Original Use
Building misc
Date
1780 - 1820
Coordinates
186210, 365702
Date Recorded
11/11/2007
Date Updated
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Description
Detached single-bay single-storey folly/structure (on square-plan), built c. 1800, now in ruins and out of use. Originally associated with Coolbeg House (now ruinous). Raised castellated parapet to east and south elevations; formerly with pitched roof, now collapsed. Constructed of roughly coursed rubble stone masonry with roughly squared quoins to the corners, cut stone stringcourse to the north and south elevations at eaves level and with cut stone stringcourse to base of crenellations to the east and west elevations. Single pointed-arched window opening to the centre of each elevation having roughly dressed surrounds and voussoirs; fittings now gone. Located on an elevated site on a prominent hill to the north-west of Ballyshannon with panoramic views over Donegal Bay to the north and the west. Remains of Coolbeg House to site, remains of walled garden to the west.
Appraisal
This unusual and prominent tower-like structure retains much of its early character and form despite being out of use and derelict for a considerable period of time. The pointed-arched openings and crenellated parapet lend it a muted Gothic architectural character that is a feature of many folly-type buildings and structures in Ireland. This structure was originally built as part of the Coolbeg House estate by the Reynolds’ family. According to local tradition it was built by a Mr Reynolds to provide a safe comfortable viewing platform for his wife to view the coastal scenery. However, the evidence of a pitched roof would seem to go against this idea. The Reynolds family had a house at Coolbeg from 1753 at the latest, and it was later the residence of a John Reynolds, Esq., J.P., in 1837 (Lewis Topographical Dictionary). Coolbeg house was ‘ruinous’ by 1907 (Ordnance Survey twenty-five inch map) but the foundations and a walled garden remain to site. This conspicuous landmark structure occupies a prominent hilltop site with panoramic views over Donegal Bay to the north and the west, and is an interesting addition to the built heritage of the local area.