Glengeen Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached symmetrical three-bay two-storey farmhouse, built c.1860, located to the south side of Killyfuddy Road, Trillick. Rectangular-on-plan; central single-storey entrance porch to front (east); central two-storey return to rear.

Roof is hipped natural slate with lead-capped ridge; two smooth-rendered corbelled chimneystacks with clay pots; third to rear; deep overhanging eaves; replacement aluminium rainwater goods throughout. Walls are ruled-and-lined rendered with droved finish projecting quoins over projecting chamfered plinth. Windows are square-headed 1/1 timber sliding sashes with ruled-and-lined voussoirs and droved finish projecting cills. (First floor windows slightly diminished in height).

Principal elevation faces east and is abutted to centre by single-storey entrance porch with flat-roof; two windows at each side; five windows at first floor. Square-plan entrance porch has replacement rainwater goods. Walls are sandstone ashlar with pilasters to corners supporting moulded cornice. East elevation contains single segmental-headed 1/1 timber sliding sash window with margin lights, surmounted by crested keystone with lion rampant motif and banner quoting ‘AD/ASTRA/SEQUOR’. Replacement four-panelled door with segmental-headed fanlight over, to each cheek; both accessed up two stone steps.

Left gable (south) contains two windows at each floor.

Rear elevation is abutted at centre by two-storey return with flat roof; exposed section to left contains dipartite 1/1 timber sliding sash at ground floor; two windows at first floor. Exposed section to right has chimneystack and contains two windows at ground floor (left window narrower 1/1 timber sliding sash); single window at first floor.

Right gable (north) is detailed as left gable.

Two-storey return is detailed as main block with flat roof and replacement aluminium rainwater goods. West elevation contains single square 2/2 timber sliding sash at each floor; left cheek contains timber sheeted door in sandstone surround; right cheek is blank.

Setting

House is located to the east side of a formally arranged quadrangular farmyard.

Farmyard enclosed to south and east by high random rubble wall and segmental rubble coping; at south there are square piers with pyramidal caps supporting replacement cast-metal gates. Farmyard enclosed at north by two-storey block with central double-height bay; roof is pitched natural slate; blue/black clay ridge tiles; walls are detailed as house; original timber fenestration is largely intact; windows are 2/2 timber casements; doors are timber sheeted. Farmyard enclosed to west by single-storey outbuilding with corrugated metal roof and doors. Further outbuildings to west; that to south-west is detailed as the formally arranged farmyard outbuilding to north; with exposed random rubble walling and timber fenestration intact. Remainder are of no interest.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Ruled-and-lined render.
Windows timber
RWG aluminium

Historical information

It appears that Glengeen Lodge was under construction in 1864. An article in The Dublin Builder states; “A handsome mansion with extensive offices &c, in the Italian style of architecture is now in course of erection at Glengeen, near Fintona, Co Tyrone, from the design, and under the superintendence of, Mr Fitzgibbon Louch C.E., architect, Sackville St, Londonderry. Mr George Armstrong, Brookborough, is the contractor.”

Primary Source material makes no reference to the house until 1877 (Annual Revision Records 1860-1923) when the occupier is listed as William Brien and the lessors are the Tottenham family. This remains the case until 1918 when the occupiers become the Allinghams who hold it in fee. The buildings are valued at £29 15s 0d throughout the period of the Revisions.

In March 1922 the property was the scene of the fatal shooting of a special constable employed on the estate.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/50/1-4 – Ordnance Survey Maps (1833, 1854, 1906)
2. PRONI VAL/12/B/41/43/A-F – Annual Revision Records (1860-1923)
3. PRONI VAL/12/D/6/50/A-J – Annual Revision Maps

Secondary Sources

1. Abbott, R ‘Police Casualties in Ireland 1919-1922’, Cork: Mercier 2000
2. Dublin Builder Vol VI, April 15 1864

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A symmetrical three-bay two-storey farmhouse, built c.1860, located to the south side of Killyfuddy Road, Trillick. Imposing in stature and prominently located on an elevated site within the rural landscape. Original plan-form and appealing proportions and characteristics of the facade remain intact. The house is preserved in original setting with well-constructed outbuildings arranged around an enclosed quadrangular farmyard to west; together the house and outbuildings serve as a good example of the type.