House - 16th/17th century

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on the W facing slope of high ground in upland area. Three storey high gabled ended house of five bays with central flat headed doorway. At first floor level it has five rectangular windows while at second floor level there are five small squat shaped windows located under the eaves of a high pitched roof. The W face of the house measures 16.6m N-S. Probably late 17th/early 18th-century house.

Cromwellian house located near Leap Castle in the Aghancon area (Sheehy 1964-5, 12-13; Loeber 1988 vol. 1, 4). Described by Billy English as 'The only extant example of a real Cromwellian house in Offaly is at Aghancon near Leap Castle (OF039-047----). No major changes from the original are evident in the present structure. It was evidently re-roofed at some stage, the rafters being of standard size sawn timber, but the original trusses are still to be seen in the roof which fortunately is uncovered. These are rough hand-hewn timbers secured with wooden pegs' (Loeber 1988 vol. 1, 4).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 23 May 2011