Market-house

The National Monuments Service's description

At the NW end of Longford town (LF013-026----), in the grounds of the now-disused Sean Connolly Barracks and facing onto Church St. In 1620 under the conditions of a land grant for the establishment of the town, Francis Aungier, baron of Longford, was entitled to hold a market and two fairs (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 452). It is possible that a market-house was built around this time. In 1668 the town was incorporated and made a borough by King Charles II (Cal. S.P. Ire. 1666-69, 646). Under the terms of the town charter Lord Longford was granted the right to appoint a ‘clerk of the market’ and hold weekly markets (Anon. 1836, 1247). The original Market Square was at the E end of Church St., close to St John’s Church (C of I) and it was incorporated into the grounds of the military barracks in 1774 when the castle (LF013-026003-) and market-house were sold by Lord Longford to the state (Roberts 1899, 221). The present market-house possibly dates to the early 17th-century or, more likely, to the end of the 17th or the early 18th century (www.buildingsofireland.ie, Reg. 13002495, last accessed 23 July 2013). This detached four-bay single-storey building, which is possibly the oldest building still standing in the town, consists of a central arcaded block with several later 19th-century single-storey lean-to additions. Its arcading and groin vaulting are classically inspired, and it differs from the usual Irish market house form in having only one storey. Particularly significant is the innovative use of a local pudding stone/conglomerate to articulate the external arches. Following its sale to the Barrack Commissioners in 1774 it was subsequently used as stables. It is now in use as an outbuilding/store (ibid.). The market cross (LF013-026011-) was probably located in its vicinity. (Gearty et al. 2010, 3)

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 31 July 2013