Kilmore Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Attached four-bay two-storey over basement former shooting lodge, built c.1840, located to the west of Bullock Park Road. Rectangular-on-plan with full-height canted bay to east abutted at ground floor by single-storey gabled porch; single-storey lean-to extension to north; two-storey hipped return to west; single-storey lean-to link extension at south-west supported on columns; lower two-storey attached outbuilding to south-west (accommodation at first floor); dovecote links to stable block at west.

Roof is pitched natural slate with stone ridge tiles; raised sandstone verges with kneelers surmounted by stone pyramid finial; square ashlar sandstone chimney with nine flues and clay pots; roughcast chimneys to outbuilding. Walls are roughcast over smooth plinth. Windows are square-headed timber framed 6/6 sliding sash in sandstone surround; sandstone sills.

Principal elevation faces east; from left, bay one and two each contain single window at first floor and lower ground; 1/1 sliding sash window at ground floor. Bay three is canted and contains single window at first floor; small window to right cheek at lower ground floor; ground floor consists of square-headed four-panelled timber entrance door (glazed top panels) with transom light surmounted by triangular pediment and flanked by columns abutted by timber framed glazed porch accessed by three sandstone steps; polypropylene roof and crested ridge tiles; smooth rendered plinth. Bay four contains single window at first floor and 1/1 sliding sash window at ground floor.

South gable contains single metal casement window at first floor and timber framed twelve-pane window at ground floor; both have concrete surround; abutted at left by attached outbuilding.

West elevation is abutted at centre by stairwell return containing single square-headed 1/1 sliding sash window at lower ground floor and large round-arched headed window at ground floor; exposed section at left contains single 2/2 sliding sash window at lower ground floor and 1/1 sliding sash window at first floor; exposed section at right is abutted at first floor by lean-to link extension containing single window supported on four columns at lower ground floor.

North elevation is abutted by lean-to extension containing large window; exposed section at first floor is blank.

Setting

Attached six-bay two-storey outbuilding to south-west; south elevation from left, bay one contains segmental-headed carriage-arch containing double-leaf vertically sheeted timber doors; bays two to four each contain single window to each floor; ground floor windows have concrete surrounds; bay five contains single window at ground floor; bay six contains 1/1 sliding sash window at ground floor and metal casement window at ground floor. West elevation is abutted by sandstone dovecote consisting of opening with segmental-headed ashlar arch flanked by substantial stone piers; surmounted by octagonal tower with square-headed openings to cardinal points; surmounted by stone dome. North elevation contains four segmental-headed carriage-arches; double-leaf vertically sheeted timber doors; carriage-arch at right surmounted by single window. East elevation is abutted by house.

Further five-bay two-storey attached rubble stone stable block to west; east elevation is abutted at left by outbuilding; each exposed bay contains vertically-sheeted timber half-door and casement window at lower ground floor; single window at ground floor. Further enclosed farmyard to west contains rubble stone outbuilding to west; bounded by rubble walling with access through wrought-iron gates to north and south.

Set within extensive grounds in mature forest; bound to road at east by hedging and trees; access from south-east through square rendered piers supporting cast-iron gates; secondary access to north-east now blocked.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Roughcast
Windows timber
RWG Cast-iron

Historical information

The building is first shown on the second edition of the OS Map of 1854, captioned “Kilmore Lodge.” In 1858, Griffith’s Valuation records the “house and offices,” valued at £15, as occupied by Oliver White, Esquire, and leased from Henry Echlin, Esquire. A marginal note reads: “...if this house and offices were situated in an ordinary situation surrounded with good land it could not be under £25, but on the top of a mountain as it is, even £15 seems high....” The Valuation Revisions (1860-1915) record several changes of ownership until the house is owned in fee by Frances Ellis in 1910.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/24/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/24/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1854)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/24/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1905-6)
4. PRONI VAL/1/B/635A-B -Townland Valuation (1820-1840)
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/37/B -Griffith’s Valuation (1858)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/35/4/A-E -Valuation Revisions (1860-1915))

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

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An attached four-bay two-storey over basement former shooting lodge, built c.1840, located to the west of Bullock Park Road. This substantial house retains many original architectural features. Its history as a shooting lodge is of interest. The attached outbuildings and enclosed courtyard arrangement to the rear add to the character of the site. Altogether, this is a substantial house surviving in original condition and is a good example of an extensive country residence of the period, unusual in its size and detailing.