Ice house

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A domestic ice house constructed of handmade brickwork ovoid in form with a hemispherical brick-vaulted dome on a circular plan covered in earth and vegetation and approached by a short brick vaulted passage.

The entrance faces approximately north, and comprises a semi-circular brick-arched opening leading to a brick vault which contains a rectangular opening at an intermediate position along it. Beyond the rectangular opening there is a rectangular recessed opening in the left hand side, with a timber lintel, whose function is uncertain. In the rear wall is a segmental arched opening into the egg-like brick-lined interior which has a domical roof over a tapering subterranean chamber.

SETTIN

It stands within the demesne of Lissan house, a short distance to the north of the upper yard, its position in an overgrown field now marked by a tall sapling.

Historical information

Built as a domestic ice house for the Lissan estate, it was designed to store ice for use in the house over the summer months.

References - Primary Sources
1. OS Map of 1833 (the structure not discernible).
2. OS Map of 1854 (the structure clearly visible).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
D. Plan Form
E. Spatial Organisation
F. Structural System
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a domestic ice house built to serve Lissan House, probably as part of the late 18th century development of the estate when a number of other improvements were made. It exhibits the typical form, proportions, plan, and structural system associated with the type, and is of special interest as an early example of an ice house and as an integral part of an important country house estate.