The Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single-storey/ two-bay hunting lodge of mid-19th century date. It is aligned east-west on the north side of a minor road.

Pitched roof, formerly slated, but recently covered with corrugated metal sheeting; the central chimney has been removed, as have the finely dressed sandstone verges and rainwater goods. The walls are of lightly dashed squared sandstone rubble brought to courses. The quoins and projecting eaves courses are executed in finely dressed sandstone. For its length and height, it is remarkably wide.

The east gable has a tall narrow door towards its right-hand end. It has a finely dressed sandstone jambs and head.

The south elevation has three regularly-spaced windows. The middle one is infilled with random rubble and may have been decorative rather than functional. The remaining two are sheeted over. All have finely dressed sandstone jambs and heads and sloped dressed sandstone cills. The base course of the wall is advanced along this side.

The west gable is blank except for a small apex window; its cill has been removed and it is now infilled.

The north elevation has an infilled doorway at left, a window at the right end of the left bay, and a second window to the right bay; the windows are now sheeted over.

Immediately west is an outbuilding of similar construction. Its roof is missing and the walls have partially collapsed. E elevation has a door opening to centre with a window opening with stone lintel to its left, set below eaves level. Left gable has an infilled door opening with stone lintel to right of centre. The rear elevation has collapsed and the right gable is blank.

Setting:
The lodge is situated in an extremely remote and isolated part of the ward, consisting mainly of Forestry Division land. Although close to the road, it is well-concealed by a number of mature trees.

Historical information

A building is first shown at this location on the 1857 OS map, being cited at 'The Lodge'. This indicates a mid-19th construction date. It is said to have been erected by the Madden family (of Spring Grove and land agents for Trinity College, Dublin) as a hunting lodge. However, it is described merely as a house in the 1862 Valuation book (compiled 1860), and is valued at £1.5s.0d. The 1866 valuation entry notes it as ‘gamekeeper’s house’, and its value increased to £2.5s.0d. In all likelihood, the present building dates from this time, having replaced the earlier building (or which there is now no trace). Although the building is said to have subsequently become a barracks for the Royal Irish Constabulary (until c.1910), it is merely described as a ‘house’ in the valuations from 1893 onwards. It has recently been purchased from the Forest Service by Slieve Beagh Community Group and is earmarked for conversion into self-catering holiday accommodation.

Primary sources:
1. OS 6" map, Co Fermanagh, sheet 29, 1st edition (1833-34).
2. OS 6" map, Co Fermanagh, sheet 29, 2nd edition (1857).
3. Second valuation book, Co Fermanagh, Clones Union, p.89.
4. Valuation revision book, 1866 (PRONI: VAL 12B/25/10A, p.96).
5. Valuation revision book, 1893 (PRONI: VAL 12B/25/10, p.131).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An interesting and remote hunting lodge, retaining some original character, but now much altered.