Kilcarty, Kilmessan, Co Meath

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. 

“A delightful “hobby” farm of ca 1770-80. Built for Dr. George Cleghorn, Prof of Anatomy, to the design of Thomas Ivory. The two storey five bay gable-ended dwelling house and the farm buildings are all part of one composition, in true Palladian manner. The front of the house, which has a round-headed doorway with blocking, in prolonged by single-storey two bay wings; linking it to gable-ends of the farm buildings, which are treated as pediments, with oculi; they stand a little back, rising above curved sweeps. The two farm buildings extend back, forming two sides of a large courtyard behind the house, which is balanced on fourth side by a centrally placed barn. In 1814, the residence of Ross Fox, recently, of Peter Harper.” 

Not in National Inventory 

Record of Protected Structures: 

Kilcarty 

Detached five-bay two-storey gabled farmhouse, with low lean-to wings and curtain walls and courtyard behind, to designs of Thomas Ivory. 

http://meathhistoryhub.ie/houses-k-p/ 

Kilcarty House, Kilmessan, is described as a ‘hobby-farm’ designed by Thomas Ivory for Dr. George Cleghorn, professor of anatomy at Trinity College. It consists of a detached two-storey gabled farmhouse, with low lean-to wings and curtain walls. The two farm buildings extend back forming the sides of a courtyard behind the house. Constructed in the 1770s Casey and Rowan state that modesty and simplicity are the  qualities of this handsome building and further describe it as a compact and practical house. Maurice Craig said ‘the total effect is one of bland serenity’. Craig wrote that Kilcarty occupies a pivotal frontier between farmhouse and the mansion. A hobby farm, the owner only had to look out the back windows to see the farmyard. “The everyday dress and vernacular affinities of Kilcarty cloak a design of exceptional subtlety and refinement, Craig wrote, even after thirty years of looking at the building he  noticed new aspects to it. “When real thought has gone into the making of a building, there is no limit to the times one can, and should, look at it.”  Mulligan described Kilcarty as ‘one of the finest examples of a vernacular Palladian design’ 

George Cleghorn, was born near Edinburgh in 1716. He was involved in the establishment of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. Appointed surgeon to the 22nd regiment of foot at the age of nineteen, he was stationed at Minocra, where he spent thirteen years. He wrote a book entitled ‘Observations on the Epidemical Diseases in Minorca from the Year 1744 to 1749”. In 1749 he went with the regiment to Ireland. Dr Cleghorn settled in practice in Dublin in 1751. In September 1753 Cleghorn was elected as Anatomist at Trinity College. In 1756 he published in Dublin a pamphlet, entitled “Index of an Annual Course of Lectures by George Cleghorn, Anatomist to Trinity College, and Surgeon in Dublin”. This was really a syllabus of his lectures, and is the first anatomical work published in connexion with the School of Anatomy at Trinity College. 

In 1761 George Cleghorn was appointed Lecturer in Anatomy. He is credited with the first description of infectious hepatitis. From this period till his death in 1789, Dr Cleghorn enjoyed a lucrative practice. Due to declining health he spent more and more time away from the city, finding the pleasures of the outdoor life more rewarding. In 1784 Cleghorn was elected a member of the College of Physicians of Ireland; he was also one of the original members of the Royal Irish Academy. Cleghorn was married but had no children of his own, About 1774 Cleghorn’s only brother, John, died in Scotland, leaving his widow, Barbara, and nine children, and Cleghorn brought this family to Dublin in order to oversee their education. Three of this family, William, James, and Thomas, were educated for the medical profession and studied with their uncle in the Trinity College School, and subsequently in Edinburgh. One of these, William Cleghorn, took the degree of MD at Edinburgh in 1779. In 1786 Cleghorn was still delivering anatomical lectures at Dublin. He was unwilling to retire from the professorship until one of his nephews was in a strong position to apply for the vacant chair. Cleghorn died in Dublin three years later, in December 1789. His nephew, James, took over the Anatomical School. George died at Kilcarty on Tuesday, December 22, 1789, and in his will he left to his nephew George his estates in County Meath, and to his nephews, James and Thomas, to be equally divided between them, his library. 

George Cleghorn acquired a considerable estate in the county of Meath, of which his nephew, George Cleghorn of Kilcarty, was High Sheriff in the year 1794. 

William Cleghorn was born in 1751. His father died young, so he and eight siblings were raised by his uncle, George Cleghorn of Kilcarty. After studying at Trinity College, in 1779, he finished a doctoral dissertation at the University of Edinburgh. He died just four years later, but in that time had developed the concept of a caloric, a subtle invisible fluid used to explain heat. Cleghorn’s caloric was used for the next sixty years. In 1818 Bishop Plunket thanked Surgeon Cleghorn for his donation towards the new chapel at Kilmessan. 

In 1814 Kilcarthy was the residence of Ross Fox and in 1835 it was described as a good house with a demesne of 150 acres, well laid out and wooded. The demesne was leased by Mr. Rourke from the proprietor, Rev. N. Preston of Swainstown. In 1854 the land was held by the representatives of James Cleghorn MD so the family seem to have held onto the leases on the land. Hugh Geraghty occupied the house from 1854 until his death in 1878 and his widow remained in the house until 1900.  Hugh’s son, William, purchased the house in 1903. Dying in 1909 the property passed to his sister Mary. The house was sold in 1939 to the O’Beirne family. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/14329014/kilmessan-kilmessan-co-meath

Detached three-bay two-storey house over semi-basement, built c.1800, with central breakfront, and flanking single-storey wings. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystack. Roughcast rendered walls. Timber sash windows with stone sills. Segmental-arched doorcase with pairs of engaged Ionic columns flanking timber panelled door, with fanlight and side lights. Stone steps with cast-iron railings. Three-bay two-storey rubble limestone former coach house and cast-iron gates to the site. 

Appraisal 

This modest house is enlivened by subtle architectural details, such as the central breakfront, recessed blind arch with inset window, and imposing doorcase. The building is enhanced by the retention of many interesting features and materials, such as the timber sash windows and limestone steps. The related outbuildings and cast-iron gates contribute to the setting of the house. 

For sale 3/8/22: C15 FD85 

€1,300,000 

4 bedroom, three baths 

Charming period property with a private setting on the village fringe History The Old Rectory dates from the early years of the 19th century. Architectural historians believe that it may have been designed by Francis Johnston, the architect whose most famous work is the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street. The house originally comprised a central block with just the two storeys over basement. An east wing was added in the 1890s, while a symmetrical west wing was added in the 1980s. The house was occupied by the local Church of Ireland Rector from the time it was first built until the middle of the last century. For most of that period it would not only have provided a home for the Rector and his family, but also their servants, who would have included a dairyman/gardener, a cook, a maid and, depending on the age of the children, a governess. Because of the dwindling congregation, Kilmessan parish was merged with the much larger parish of Trim in the late 1950s and the Rectory was sold by the Church of Ireland in 1958. Description The Old Rectory is a magnificent Georgian house, set on stunning mature grounds and extending to about 10 acres. Situated on the fringe of the popular village of Kilmessan, the property enjoys all of the amenities that the village has to offer. Being surrounded by beautiful mature trees offers a sense of privacy and security. The house is approached through stone wall piers and iron gates which open to an attractive sweeping driveway, lined by stud railing and fabulous mature trees to the front of the property with ample parking. The Old Rectory is a three-bay, two-storey, over semi-basement house, beneath a hipped slated roof. The front entrance faces north, while the garden entrance faces south. The exterior of the house includes prominent features such as roughcast rendered walls, timber sash windows with stone sills, a segmental arched doorcase and stone steps with cast-iron railings. The light-filled accommodation is of generous and elegant proportions, as shown on the accompanying plans. Extending to about 4,789 sq ft (445 sq m), it is well laid out for family living and entertaining. The present owners have undertaken a programme of renovation and redecoration to create a family home with period features but suitable for modern-day living standards. Notable internal features include shutters, cornicing, vaulted ceilings, architraves, decorated fireplaces and ceiling roses. The kitchen is also fitted with an Aga cooker. A magnificent conservatory was added by the present owners and connects with an open plan sitting/drawing room which is the hub of the house. Outbuildings Situated to the side of the house is a former coach house of traditional construction. Extending to about 2,045 sq ft (190 sq m), planning permission was previously granted to develop a dwelling house. This permission has since lapsed, however, the footprint of the coach house is zoned residential. Grounds The house sits amidst wonderful mature gardens with many fine specimen trees and shrubs including a stunning mature copper beech tree which is a notable feature. The gardens are mainly laid to lawn and include magnificent flower beds, well-tended hedges, a fruit garden and pond. Two paddocks are situated either side of the driveway which are fenced off by post and rail. Both paddocks can be accessed through gates off the driveway and provide grazing for livestock. There are also two smaller paddocks towards the back of the house and a number of wooded areas with a mixture of mature deciduous and coniferous trees. Viewing Strictly by appointment by Savills Country Agency. Fixtures & Fittings All fixtures and fittings are excluded from the sale including garden statuary, light fittings, and other removable fittings, although some items may be available by separate negotiation. Services Mains drainage, mains water, mains electricity, oil-fired heating, high-speed broadband. Please be advised that the selling agents have not checked the services and any purchaser should satisfy themselves with the availability and adequacy of all services. Entry & Possession Entry is by agreement with vacant possession. Historic Listening: The Old Rectory is listed on the record of protected structures, National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Reg No: 14329014. Offers Offers may be submitted to the selling agents, Savills, 33 Molesworth St, Dublin 2. Email address: country@savills.ie. Best Offers Date A date for best offers may be fixed and prospective purchasers are asked to register their interest with the selling agents following inspection. The sellers reserve the right to exchange a Contract for the sale of any part of the subjects of sale ahead of a notified closing date and will not be obliged to accept the highest or any offer. The Old Rectory is located in the heart of Royal Meath, in the charming village of Kilmessan which provides facilities such as a supermarket, pub, credit union, restaurant and primary school. Dunshaughlin and Trim (both 10km) are two bustling neighbouring towns just a short drive away with an abundance of quality restaurants, hotels, pubs, and a variety of boutiques and retail stores. Kilmessan is set in lush, green countryside and surrounded by rich farmland. It is close to attractions such as Bective Abbey, Killeen Castle and the hill of Tara which is the ancient home of the High Kings of Ireland, and the world-tombs of Newgrange. As well as offering all the joys of true country living, The Old Rectory is just 39 km from Dublin City Centre and 42 km from Dublin Airport. A park and ride train service is available from the M3 Parkway (21 km), serving Dublin City hourly from early morning to late night. There is also a regular bus service to Dublin from the village operated by Bus Eireann. County Meath has a proud sporting history and can offer a wide variety of quality sporting and recreational activities for even themost active of lifestyles. The golf enthusiast is well catered for in the surrounding area with quality golf courses within a few minutes’ drive. The nearby golf courses are Royal Tara Golf Club (5 km), the famous Jack Nicklaus designed golf course at Killeen Castle (7 km), and Knightsbrook Golf Club (10 km). The championship course at Carton House is only 29 km away and played host to the 2013 Irish Open, as well as the 2018 World Amateur Team Championships. Race-goers are well catered for with Navan Racecourse (17 km) and Fairyhouse Race Course (17 km) nearby. Both of these courses are renowned and host a multitude of events throughout the year. There are a number of primary schools in the locality, with secondary education available in Trim, Dunshaughlin and Navan. 

Features 

• Charming period property 

• About 10 acres 

• Coach house offering further potential (S.P.P)  

• Private rural setting in an accessible location 

• Formal gardens and wonderful grounds