Stableyard, Crom Castle

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A large stableyard with two separate inner yards aligned NE-SW and set to the S of the riding school (HB12/02/004) within Crom Estate. The upper (N) yard is enclosed mostly by two-storey buildings, with a single-storey NE block containing a Tudor-arch opening. The lower (S) yard is enclosed mostly by single-storey buildings and accessed between two dwellings to the SW elevation.

All roofs are pitched natural slate with advanced eaves carrying half-round cast-iron rainwater goods. Stone skews with cusped finials to gables. Walls are coursed stone with dressed sandstone openings. Windows are all centre pivoted unless otherwise stated.

NE elevation
The NE elevation has a two-storey projecting gable bay to either end with a central single-storey/ three-bay block between them. The roof of the single-storey bay is concealed behind parapet and has three stone chimneys; all are square-in-section with moulded caps and set to the middle of each end bay; that to the left is a pair. To centre is a Tudor-arched opening with finial and containing a pair of timber gates. To either side is two two-staged buttresses; set between each is an elongated arrow loop opening – all plainly glazed and a small rectangular recess to apex. Each end gable has two windows (3x4) to ground floor and a central (3x3) window to first floor.

SE elevation
The SE elevation is abutted to SW end by a single-storey block enclosing the lower yard (see later); the exposed section is blank. This elevation has three pairs of chimneys. From left to right are a pair of timber 1/4 side-hung casements, a narrow timber sheeted door with 5x3 transom over, 3x4 window and the remaining ground floor openings are four windows – all with finely dressed sandstone reveals. First floor has a 4x3 window, 3x3 window, a 9/9 sliding sash stairwell window with horns, two 3x3 windows and to right-end are smaller 3x3 windows. The single-storey block has two brick chimneys to right-end. It has a 1x3 side-hung casement window to each end.

SW elevation
The SW elevation has a dwelling to each end, flanking the entrance to the lower yard. That to the left is a single-storey/ three bay house and that to right is two-storey/ three bay house. Between each is a decorative pair of wrought-iron gates into the lower stableyard. The left house has a central brick chimney. To centre is a timber lattice porch with pitched roof with decorative timber bargeboards and finial, it contains a timber-sheeted door. To left and right bays is a group of three 1/3 casement windows with stone cill. The right end of the façade is abutted by a square-in-section stone gate pier with stone cap; a similar gate pier abuts the façade of the adjacent building. Its left elevation is described with the NW elevation; the right gable is blank. Its rear elevation has two pairs of 1x3 casements with brick arch over. The right gable is blank.

The right dwelling is abutted to right gable by the SW face of the single-storey block enclosing the SE side of the lower yard; the exposed section is blank. Dwelling has a brick chimney to each gable and decorative timber bargeboards with finial. The façade has a central porch (as before); entrance door has transom over. To left and right are a group of three 1x3 side-hung casement windows with brick heads and stone keyblocks. Aligned above to first floor are three windows; each is a pair of 1x3 casements. The SW face of the single-storey block has a 1x3 window – its right gable is described with the SE elevation. Left gable of main block has a 1/3 casement window to first floor left. The rear elevation has three windows to ground floor, those to left are pairs of 1/3 casements with segmental brick arch over; set between them is an infilled opening. That to left-end is set within a large segmental headed opening. First floor has a window to left and three infilled openings to right.

NW elevation
The NW elevation is abutted to the SW end by a single-storey block enclosing the lower yard (see later); the exposed section is blank. This block has a single chimney, roughly to centre and three modern skylights. From left to right, ground floor has two windows (all are 4x4 centre pivoted), a timber sheeted door with 4x4 transom over and accessed by stone steps with modern cast-iron railings, two windows and a semi-elliptical headed carriage arch now containing modern doors. First floor has four windows, diminished in height - two to left (3x3) aligned above those below and a 3/3 sliding sash window aligned over that to right-end and another over the carriage arch. The single-storey block has four plainly detailed chimneys – one to either end and two set closely together to centre. Set between the first two chimneys from left is a timber louvred vent. From left to right is two windows, a timber sheeted door with 1x3 sidelights, two windows – all are pairs of 1x3 timber side-hung casements, an infilled opening, a window, an infilled opening, a window, a timber sheeted door and three windows – all are as before but diminished in height.

The inner yards
The upper yard is accessed through the Tudor-arched opening to the NE elevation and the lower yard is accessed between the two dwellings to the SW elevation. Both are gravelled with cobbled edges to the upper yard.

The upper yard has a symmetrical NE elevation with central gable; to either side are three windows. Two 3x4 pivoted windows to each end and a tripartite window with 1x4 sidelights flanking opening. Soffit and walls of arched opening are plastered and painted and ground is cobbled. The SE elevation has a 5x4 window to left, and three timber sheeted doors with 5x2 transom over. First floor has five 3x3 windows. The SW elevation is enclosed by a two-storey block with central chimney. To either end is a door (as before) and to centre are two large glazed timber sliding doors into garages. Above to first floor are six 3x3 windows. The NW elevation has two pairs of timber-sheeted doors with 5x2 transom over to left-end, 4x4 window, a door with mouth-organ transom over and a window. To first floor are five equally aligned 3x3 windows, diminished in height.

The lower yard is enclosed to SW by the rear elevations of the two dwellings (see before). The SE block has a recessed bay to the extreme left-end; the roof is supported by three square-in-section timber posts. The exposed NE cheek of this block has a door. The recessed wall is cement-lined rendered with central window and door to right end. From left to right the remainder of this block has a 2x2 fixed window, infilled opening, two pairs of windows, a large pair of timber sheeted doors, three pairs of windows and two windows – all are1/3 timber casements. The NE block has a timber-sheeted door to left and an infilled segmental-headed carriage arch to right. Aligned above to first floor is a 3x3 window and a pair of 1/3 casements respectively. The NW block has two pairs of windows to left-end, and a pair roughly to centre, and a t+g sheeted door.

Historical information

The Stable Yard was the earlier of the two blocks in this complex. It was erected in 1833-35 by John Crichton, third Earl of Erne, to designs by Edward Blore. This is the square block of buildings with central courtyard on the 1834 OS 6" map.

The Forge Yard (also known as the Laundry Yard) was added in the period 1835-37. It incorporates a butler’s cottage, corner cottage and laundry. This addition is shown on the 1857 map.

In he 1930s, some of the stables and lofts were converted to living accommodation for estate staff. The iron gates in the Forge Yard also date from this decade (having been rescued from Lanesborough Lodge).

Primary sources:
1. OS 6" map, 1st edition, 1834, Co Fermanagh sheet 39 (PRONI OS 6/4/39/1).
2. OS 6" map, 2nd edition, 1859, Co Fermanagh sheet 39 (PRONI OS 6/4/39/2).

Secondary sources:
1. Terence Reeves-Smyth, Crom Castle Demesne (National Trust, 1990).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship

Evaluation

A large stableyard with two separate inner yards, one of many dispersed buildings within the Crom Estate. Despite internal refurbishments it retains much of its original character with fine stone detailing.

General comments

This record was previously numbered HB12/02/003.