Gatehouse

The National Monuments Service's description

The gate house is located on the north side of a courtyard attached to Howth Castle (DU015-027001-) by a rubble stone bawn wall, c.1525, with round headed integral carriageway, gun loops and crow stepped crenellated parapet (NIAH). It stands three storeys high with a battlemented parapet and a NE tower which projects above parapet level. Built of randomly coursed rubble with dressed quoins. A studded wooden gate is still present on the E side of the gateway below a round arch formed from sandstone and limestone which alternate to create a banding effect. The gateway has a segmental arched vault running E-W. There are buttresses to first floor level on the E and S sides. Two high vaulted chambers are entered off the N side of entrance passage through round-arched passages. Their interior is lit by single slit opes (L 6.40m, Wth 4.20m). The S side is defended by a musket hole. Entrance to upper floors is through the attached outbuildings in the W.

The NE tower contains a stone spiral staircase which is entered through a square-headed doorway of chamfered limestone. There is a fireplace with plain segmental arch on N side on the first floor. The east window is a double-light with a mullion and transom and cusped ogee-heads and a crack in the base of the window arch. A mural chamber off the first floor is lit by plain rectangular windows. Second floor is entered through a pointed arched doorway of chamfered limestone. The fireplace in the NW corner is a later insertion. There is an ogee-headed window on W side. Along the W side of the parapet there is a pointed arched window incorporated into battlements. Renovated 1738.

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Updated by: Christine Baker

Date of upload: 26 January 2015