Survey Data
Reg No
41401025
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Technical
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1835 - 1845
Coordinates
273820, 331931
Date Recorded
27/03/2012
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Gateway, erected c.1840, at former entrance to Castleshane Demesne, facing east, now in use as entrance to privately-owned former gate lodge. Double-leaf cast-iron vehicular gate, flanked by cut limestone octagonal-plan gate piers with tooled domical caps, moulded string courses and moulded bases on low plinths. Recessed rectangular panels to shafts of piers. Cast-iron railings and gates with decorative pointed finials, leaf and quatrefoil ornament, with scroll motif at junction of gates, railings supported by brackets to west. Low limestone wheel-guards to east of gates. Original curved rubble stone wall to north and south of gates with limestone copings, concrete path.
Appraisal
This gateway and lodge mark the former main entrance to Castleshane Demesne along the main Dublin to Derry road, and indicate the former importance of the county house and demesne. The gateway and gate lodge were probably constructed c.1840, Castleshane House was remodelled and extended in 1836 for the Lucas Scudmores and it is likely the entrance formed part of these works. Castleshane House was burned in 1920 and little remains, though this gateway forms part of a surviving group of architecturally-significant demesne features, including the ruins of Castleshane House, the gate lodge, walled gardens with a stylised belfry, and outbuildings. The gate piers and ironwork exhibit high quality craftsmanship. The gateway and much-altered gate lodge remind passers by of the former social and economic importance of the complex, and are integral elements in the understanding of the historic site.