Claremont, Claremorris, Co Mayo 

Mark Bence-Jones. 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. 84. “(Browne, sub Oranmore and Browne, B/PB; and Sligo, M/PB; Blacker, sub Blacker-Douglass/LGI1912) A C18 Palladian house of grey stone, built by Col Dominick Browne. Afterwards acquired by Rt Hon Denis Browne, brother of 1^st Marquess of Sligo. The house was noted for its banshee, which unlike other visitants of this kind, was a portent of good. A seat of the Blacker family early in this century.” 

https://archiseek.com/2012/claremount-claremorris-co-mayo

1750c – Claremount, Claremorris, Co. Mayo 

Built in the 18th century, this house was the home of George Browne, third son of the 1st Earl of Altamont, in the 1760s. His daughter and heiress married Dominick Browne of Castlemagarret and ownership of Claremount appears to have passed to the Castlemagarret Brownes. The Kirwans and Denis Browne of Westport lived in the house in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was bought by Murray McGregor Blacker from Lord Oranmore and Browne in 1858 for £4,250. Blacker owned the house until 1874. In 1876 the Mercy Sisters paid £14,000 for Claremount House and its 84 acre farm. With much further development over the years, the site now hosts Mount St. Michael’s Secondary School. The nuns vacated the original Claremount House in 2000. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/31310111/claremount-house-claremount-claremorris-co-mayo

Detached five-bay (four-bay deep) two-storey over part raised basement country house with dormer attic, extant 1770, on a U-shaped plan with single-bay full-height advanced end bays. Sold, 1858. Vacated, 1874. Resold, 1876. Adapted to alternative use, 1877. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Reroofed, 1941-3, to accommodate alternative use. Refenestrated, —-. Vacated, 2000. Now disused. Replacement flat-topped Mansard slate roof behind parapet with pressed iron ridges, cement rendered, ruled and lined chimney stacks having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta pots, and concealed rainwater goods retaining cast-iron hoppers and downpipes. Repointed coursed tooled cut-limestone walls to front (south) elevation on dragged cut-limestone “Cyma Recta” or “Cyma Reversa” cushion course on limestone ashlar base with drag edged rusticated cut-limestone quoins to corners supporting “Cyma Recta” or “Cyma Reversa” cornice below parapet; cement rendered surface finish (remainder). Square-headed central door opening in tripartite arrangement approached by flight of nine tooled cut-limestone steps, drag edged dragged cut-limestone doorcase with rusticated pilasters supporting “Cyma Recta” or “Cyma Reversa” cornice centred on pediment framing timber panelled door having replacement uPVC casement sidelights. Square-headed window openings with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and drag edged dragged cut-limestone Gibbsian surrounds centred on keystones framing replacement uPVC casement windows replacing nine-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-three (first floor) timber sash windows without horns. Interior including (basement): groin vaulted cellars; (ground floor): partitioned central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers; pair of staircase halls (north) retaining staircases on dog leg plans with turned timber “spindle” balusters supporting carved timber banisters terminating in tapered newels; Tudor-headed door openings into reception room with moulded surrounds; reception room (north) retaining carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; reception room (west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled reveals with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers; reception room (east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled reveals with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, cut-veined black marble Classical-style chimneypiece, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; (first floor): corridor retaining plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and partitioned bedrooms retaining carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers. Set in unkempt landscaped grounds. 

Appraisal 

A country house erected for Colonel Dominick Browne (Bence-Jones 1988, 84) representing an important component of the mid eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of the outskirts of Claremorris with the architectural value of the composition, ‘a commodious building…suitable as the residence of an independent person’ (Encumbered Estates 1854; Lyons 1993, 123), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the symmetrical footprint centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase; the definition of the principal floor as a slightly elevated “piano nobile”; the construction in a “sparrow pecked” rough cut limestone offset by sheer dressings demonstrating good quality workmanship; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the parapeted roof restructured to designs signed (1941-3) by Thomas Joseph Cullen (1879-1947) of Suffolk Street, Dublin (DIA). Having been reasonably well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; Classical-style chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition: however, the introduction of replacement fittings to most of the openings has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of the country house. Furthermore, a bunker-like domed icehouse [SMR MA101-017003-]; and a walled garden (—-), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a much diminished estate having historic connections with the Browne family including the Honourable George Browne MP (c.1735-82); the Right Honourable Denis “The Rope” Browne MP (1763-1828); and James Browne MP (1793-1854); and the Blacker family including Murray McGregor Blacker JP DL (1824-1913) of Goldingham Hall, Suffolk. 

https://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/claremount-house-claremorris-mayo/4567283

21 April 2022 

Eircode: F12WP03 

€300,000 

Located 1kms north of Claremorris town centre with access off the N60. The property is located adjacent to Mount Saint Michael Secondary School and in close proximity to the Gratten Park Residential Estate. This is an elevated site with excellent views. Claremorris is the 4th largest town within County Mayo having a population of 3,700. It benefits from excellent road and rail connectivity being on the N60 and N17. Claremorris is also positioned on the Dublin to Westport rail line having a number of scheduled train services daily. Finally Ireland West Airport is just 31kms away. Castlebar 27kms, Tuam 28kms, Galway 61kms, Athlone 85kms, Dublin 244kms DESCRIPTION A period mansion dating initially from c1770. The property has not been in use for a number of year and having fallen into disrepair, now requires complete refurbishment throughout. Extending to 890sq.m (9,585sq.ft) Claremount is a three storey over basement building constructed of cut limestone with a mansard roof slate roof. HISTORY & ARCHITECTURAL HERATIGE Sold, 1858. Vacated, 1874. Resold, 1876. Adapted to alternative use, 1877. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Reroofed, 1941-3, to accommodate alternative use. Refenestrated, Vacated, 2000. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage describes the property as, A country house erected for Colonel Dominick Browne (Bence-Jones 1988, 84) representing an important component of the mid eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of the outskirts of Claremorris with the architectural value of the composition, ‘a commodious building…suitable as the residence of an independent person’ (Encumbered Estates 1854; Lyons 1993, 123), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the symmetrical footprint centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase; the definition of the principal floor as a slightly elevated “piano nobile”; the construction in a “sparrow pecked” rough cut limestone offset by sheer dressings demonstrating good quality workmanship; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the parapeted roof restructured to designs signed (1941-3) by Thomas Joseph Cullen (1879-1947) of Suffolk Street, Dublin (DIA). Having been reasonably well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; Classical-style chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition: however, the introduction of replacement fittings to most of the openings has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of the country house. Furthermore, a bunker-like domed icehouse [SMR MA101-017003-]; and a walled garden (—-), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a much diminished estate having historic connections with the Browne family including the Honourable George Browne MP (c.1735-82); the Right Honourable Denis “The Rope” Browne MP (1763-1828); and James Browne MP (1793-1854); and the Blacker family including Murray McGregor Blacker JP DL (1824-1913) of Goldingham Hall, Suffolk. PLANNING Claremount is not a Protected structure as set out in the Mayo County Development Plan (2014 – 2020). Previous planning permission (Reference No.063784) was granted on 10th November 2007 to create a substantial development comprising 52 No. Apartments within 4 No. 2 Storey blocks. ZONING Under the Claremorris Local Area Plan 2014 – 2020 (as amended), the property is zoned Residential (Low Density Phase 1). SERVICES We understand that the property is or can be connected to all available mains services including Sewerage, Water and Electricity. DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL Claremount offers enormous redevelopment potential subject to grant of the usual consents. Future uses might include Nursing Home, Healthcare, Offices, Residential or Educational. TITLE The property has a Freehold title held within Folio MY68715F. 

Features 

FEATURES: • Magnificent period mansion dating from c. 1770 • Three storey over basement extending to 890 sq. m • In need of complete refurbishment • Site area of 1.02 hectares • Located 1.0 kms north of Claremorris town centre off N60 • Adjacent to Mount St Michaels School • Zoned Residential • Offers excellent development potential SPP 

Directions 

DIRECTIONS Claremount is located 1kms north of Claremorris town centre being c 200m off the N60. It is immediately adjacent to Mount Saint Michaels School. Follow Eircode F12 WP03. 

Viewing Details 

Strictly by prior appointment with the sole selling agents. Contact Gerard O’Toole, Tuohy O’Toole (098) 28000, gerard@tot.ie 

http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=C

Built in the 18th century, this house was the home of George Browne, third son of the 1st Earl of Altamont, in the 1760s. His daughter and heiress married Dominick Browne of Castlemagarret and ownership of Claremount appears to have passed to the Castlemagarret Brownes. The Kirwans and Denis Browne of Westport lived in the house in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was bought by Murray McGregor Blacker from Lord Oranmore and Browne in 1858 for £4,250. Blacker owned the house until 1874. In 1877 the house and about 313 acres were sold to the local parish priest by Thomas D. Maguire for the purpose of establishing a Convent of Mercy. The nuns ran a girls’ secondary school in the house. In October 1906 just over 300 acres of Claremount was vested in the Congested Districts’ Board.