47 Aghanloo Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single storey, steeply pitched former thatched cottage similar in proportion and size to Rathfad Cottage 350 metres further along Aghanloo Road (HB02/11/024). Clay tile roof, white washed sand cement to rear wall, dry dash to other sides. Three brick chimneys on ridge one at each gable, one off centre. In the manner of a vernacular direct entry dwelling front door equidistant from centre in other direction. Modern panelled door with integral semi-circular light, rectangular fanlight above, concrete architrave with classical moulding. Three windows much enlarged from vernacular predecessors (1.2 x 1.8m approximately), casement type, two mullions, one high level transom. Smooth concrete architrave to windows, painted. One window to north west of door, two number to south east.

No openings in north west gable. Lean-to return to rear, this covers two thirds of the length. Roof continues uninterrupted over extension. To north west end eaves are higher than the front. Two, two pane sash windows light the interior. The back door sits in north west gable of lean-to. Three two pane sashes are distributed irregularly along length of return. There is one sash window in the south east gable.

To the south east, a two storey barn block runs perpendicular to the house and presents a hipped roof to Aghanloo Road. It is of stone, and is slated and white washed. To the rear and north west are a number of small white washed brick and tin outbuildings. Adjacent to the house at the north west gable is Aghanloo Post Office. Post Office and cottage are separated from the road by a low white washed wall. The carriageway is 300mm above the garden. On the other side of the road a nice strap metal gate with circular stone pillars accesses the rest of the farm.

Historical information

Building indicated on site on 1831 map. Was thatched until 1950s. Present occupant completely renovated house in late 1960s. Mud walls were demolished because they were bulging dangerously but stone gable walls were retained. House rebuilt on original plan with hall arrangement incorporated rather than direct entry or a corridor. Climate differences between front and back of house have resulted in back tiles being replaced (frost action) while front tiles are unchanged. The Post Office was operated by the occupant’s sister from the 1950s onwards.

The Ordnance Survey Memoirs record a number of mud houses in this area: 'There are many mud houses in Aghanloo entirely composed of mud or sods, particularly in the neighbourhood of the old church. Others are built partly with stone and lime and partly with gables of clay'. There is no great depletion of vernacular houses near the old church when the 1830 map is compared with the present. Perhaps Rose Cottage (HB02/11/012) and Rathfad Cottage (HB02/11/024) are also partly mud construction.

Reference:

The Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland Vol : 11. p. 38.

O.S.S. 1831

Owner (1997)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A picturesque group of buildings in a tree lined area at a bend in Aghanloo Road. An unusual and well preserved example of a simple country post office near a vernacular building which though renovated retains enough of its form to enhance the setting and with the Post Office and Kiosk. .