House - 17th century

The National Monuments Service's description

On a NW-facing slope in gently undulating terrain. Grangefertagh church (KK008-047001-) and round tower (KK008-047004-) is visible c. 230m to the ESE from the front of the house. The house is depicted on the Down Survey [1655-6] Map as 'a Chimney House'.
A two-storey inhabited house (ext. L 17.7m; ext. Wth 7m; int. Wth 5.2m; wall T 0.73- c. 0.8) facing SE with four bays at ground-floor level and five at first-floor level. There is a large bulky chimney on the SW gable. The house is rendered externally and the fenestration does not appear to be original. In 1957 the house was largely remodelled, up until then it had been thatched and the roof pitch was considerably steeper. The roof was completely replaced and slated. Also many of the large internal timber beams were replaced at this time. Approximately 30 years ago (c. 1988) a narrower but substantial masonry chimney, which projected out from the NE gable, was replaced and a two-bay extension, with chimney on the new NE gable, was added. At the same time a large lateral chimney on the rear wall was also replaced by a less substantial chimney. A gable-fronted porch has been added to the second bay from the SW end and the front door removed. The doorway opens into a hall with an open-string dog-leg stair with half landing giving access to the first floor. The stair has a ramped handrail, a style which became popular throughout the 18th century, and simply moulded balusters which rest on the steps. The decorative brackets are similar to examples which date to the 19th-century. The house, which is one room deep, appears to have been significantly altered internally.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 18 September 2018