Clifton, Montenotte, Cork, Co Cork – convalescent home
Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 85. “(Murphy/IRF) Two storey five bay early C19 house, with a single storey two bay wing balanced by conservatory, behind which is a chapel, with a lantern. The main block has a fanlighted doorway, an eaved roof and rectangular panels above first floor windows. The home of Nicholas Murphy and his son, John Nicholas, who was created Count Murphy, of the Papal States. Now a convent.”
Entrance gates, built c.1830, formerly leading to Clifton House, house now in use as a convalescent home. Ashlar limestone curved entrance walls with chamfered coping stones, surmounted by decorative cast-iron railings, with spear finials to east section. Square-profile ashlar limestone piers with recessed panels, plinths and flat caps having double-leaf decorative cast-iron gates. Three-bay single-storey gate lodge to east.
This handsome entrance forms an interesting and notable feature in the streetscape. Its curved walls and symmetrical form lend an air of elegance, which is enhanced by well-crafted materials such as the ashlar walls and piers. The decorative gates add artistic interest.
Irish Historic Houses 