Country house

The National Monuments Service's description

Listed in both the SMR (1989) and RMP (1995) and classified 'Castle Possible' and 'Castle Possible Site' respectively. It had originally been classified as a possible castle because, according to Martin Timoney (pers. comm. SMR (1989) file), there was the 'stump of old tower behind house'. This tower was not located according to the SMR (1989) file. According to Timoney (unpublished archaeological assessment report for Castledargan Golf Course, 2000, 12) the above information was given by a local in the mid-1970s and that Martin Timoney had not seen the tower himself. In his report he describes the above as 'an old water pump' with a walled garden curving around it which could have been 'interpreted as being a tower'. In relation to the Country House, O'Brien (2000, 6) states in his report that, there is no documentary evidence relating to a building date. However in the light of a possible mid-1700s date suggested by architect Dr. F. O'Dwyer (Timoney c. 2000, 13), O'Brien (2000, 6) states that because of 'the improving family circumstances … and the presence of more that one household in the 1949 Elphin Census, the building of Castledargan House in the mid-1700s would not be and unreasonable supposition.' Martin Timoney (phonecall July 2003) adds that three large beams of worked oak with mortice holes and dowels were found in the house, reused as lintels. The house is dated to c. 1750 with much rebuilding in the 1850s.

Compiled by Archaeological Survey Unit, UCC

Date of upload: 11 January 2012