Ballyquin House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Storey and a half three bay house in the Georgian style set back from Ballyquin Road at the head of a large open field bordered by tall mature trees. The building faces almost due west and has stables and associated buildings to the rear hidden from the road.

A door with segmental fanlight and side lights is centrally placed though it is completely covered by a tin protection sheet. To each side is an opening containing a sashed window also covered by a metal sheet. Roof has natural slates and four chimneys on the ridge, one on each gable. The slates are gone surrounding the chimneys and rafters are exposed.

Each gable has two windows lighting the attic also protected by a metal sheet. There is a single window at lower level. On the south gable a small lean-to shed.

To the rear there is a small return. Three windows and a door open onto a courtyard enclosed to the east by a derelict stone former coach house.

Further to the east are the ruins of the farmyard associated with the house.

The house is similar in appearance to HB02/08/010: 21 Lislane Road with the exception that the listed building in Gortnarney has three chimneys. It also seems to have been constructed much later.

On Ballyquin Road is an entrance gate and curving rendered wall with pillars. The gate has spear head finials reflecting the former wealth of the inhabitants.

Historical information

The house is indicated on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1831 but was not considered sufficiently prominent to be included in the list of ‘gentlemen’s seats’ in the Ordnance Survey Memoirs of 1835-7. The Griffiths Valuation of 1858 lists the occupant as: Hunter Stewart leasing from John Barre Beresford. It is described as ‘Caretaker’s house, offices and land’ which implies that Mr Hunter was the agent of Beresford’s holdings in the area, and probably explains why the Beresford Cenotaph (HB02/08/003) was sited on top of the low hill behind the house. The valuation makes distinction between John B Beresford and the Marquis of Waterford (also a Beresford) however. John Barre Beresford is listed as ‘immediate lessor’ of a number of properties in this western portion of the ward. The value of the buildings in 1858 was £13. 0s. 0d. which is relatively high. To the rear a Mr John Robinson rented a house from Stewart. Its value was included with that of the main buildings.

It is obvious from the state of the building and grounds that it has been uninhabited for many years.

References:

The Griffiths Valuation 1858
The Ordnance Survey Sheets1831, 1848, 1905.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A nicely sited small Georgian house flanked by mature trees which could still be renovated to its former condition and add character to Ballyquin Road. It is consistent with its type, simply proportioned and of local interest for its connection with the former landlord of the area. Its derelict state precludes listing at this time.