Lough Bawn, Rockcorry, Co Monaghan
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. 191. “(Hanbury-Tenison/IFR) A two storey house in the manner of Francis Johnston, rebuilt after the previous house was destroyed by fire 1795. Three bay front, centre bay breaking forward slightly; eaved roof. Shallow porch with coupled Doric columns; fanlight over doorway and sidelights. On either side of the porch, a Wyatt window under a shallow relieving arch. Central dormer with oval Adamesque fan panel between two windows. Two storey wings, set back. Stable yard behind house.”
Complex-plan country house, built c.1815, incorporating earlier house and with further blocks added. Three-bay two-storey over basement entrance block incorporating earlier house of c.1760 to rear (west) elevation, having single-bay three-storey over raised basement return to middle of rear with one-bay one and two-storey bay to south side of return, three-bay south and four-bay side elevations to entrance block, and with lower blocks to north-west and south-west corners, four-bay to former with single-bay projection to front re-entrant corner, and three-bay to latter. Courtyard of outbuildings to rear of house. Shallow projecting breakfront to front (east) elevation. Hipped slate roofs, pitched to west end of north elevation, with rendered chimneystacks having string course and clay pots, moulded eaves brackets and cast-iron rainwater goods. Flat-roofed dormer window to front pitch. Dressed stone bell-cote to west end wall of south-western block. Roughcast rendered walls having render plinth course and quoins. One round-headed window to rear elevation of entrance blcok and of north-west block, with six-over-six pane and three-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Windows elsewhere are square-headed, six-over-six pane to front elevation, to north-west block, ground floor of south-west block and most of rear elevations, and three-over-three pane to first floor of south elevation of entrance block and south-west block. Two margined timber casement windows to ground floor of side elevations of entrance block. Ground floor windows of entrance block re tripartite and set within segmental-headed recessed openings, Bull’s-eye window with render surround and timber framed window to first floor of north elevation of entrance block. Some cast-iron railings to windows to north elevation. Dormer window comprises two three-over-three pane windows flanking recessed moulded panel having oval patera. Masonry sills throughout. Doric-style pediment added to front c.1950, comprising paired render engaged columns supporting entablature. Elliptical-headed door opening with timber panelled door and margeined sidelights, openings flanked by fluted engaged pilasters supporting entablature, petal fanlight with moulded render surround, approached by concrete platform and three steps. Round-headed door opening to south elevation, having timber panelled door and fanlight with Y-tracery, opening onto stone steps. Gardens around house, bounded by rubble stone walls with garden gate. Extensive lawned grounds to site. Lodge, bridge, boathouse and well to grounds, near house.
Appraisal
This elegantly-proportioned country house has been substantially enlarged over the years, much of the original house having been destroyed by fire in the late eighteenth century. Architectural quality and design are apparent in the form and fabric of the house, notably in the variety of fenestration. It retains much of its early fabric, both internally and externally. The survival of attendant outbuildings, walled garden, boat house and limekiln provide contextual interest. The demesne landscape was planned so as to provide pleasing sweeping vistas both to and from the house, as it is sited overlooking two lakes, and within view of a number of churches, and is a good example of early landscaping.
Attached L-plan multiple-bay two-storey outbuildings, built c.1790, comprising seven-bay range to west boundary having integral carriage arch, and seven-bay range to north range, around courtyard to rear (west) of house, having hipped slate roofs with rendered chimneystacks and replacement rainwater goods, roughcast rendered walls, with rubble stone visible to rear (west) elevation, square-headed openings to first floor having masonry sills, mixed three-over-three-pane timber sliding sash windows, timber louvered vents, and timber battened shutters, square-headed window openings to ground floor with masonry sills and mixed timber battened shutters and timber sliding sash windows having four-over-four panes or six-over-six panes, square-headed door openings having glazed over-lights and double-leaf timber battened doors, segmental-headed carriage arches with dressed stone surrounds, keystones, double-leaf timber battened doors and glazed over-lights, ans segmental-headed integral carriage arch to west range having dressed stone surround, and with red brick to interior walls. Timber stalls and tack room fittings remain to interior. Gauged red brick surrounds to openings to west elevation of west range. Detached four-bay two-storey outbuilding to rear of courtyard, having external staircase to front (south) elevation, hipped tiled roof with red brick chimneystacks and roof-lights, rubble stone walls, square-headed window openings, some having gauged brick surrounds, with masonry sills and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows, square-headed pitching door at first floor level to front elevation with gauged red brick surround and timber panelled double-leaf door, square-headed door openings to ground floor, elliptical-headed carriage arches to north elevation. Red brick vaulted ceiling to interior. Rubble stone boundary wall to north, having segmental carriage arch. Single-storey three-bay outbuilding to north of complex, having projecting end bay with catslide roof to front elevation, and with single-storey two-bay outbuilding attached to gable, with hipped slate roof having red brick eaves course, terracotta ridge tiles and red brick chimneystack and clay pot, rubble stone walls with squared quoins, and square-headed door openings to front (east) elevation having red brick voussoirs. Vestiges of cobbles to yard. South of stable yard enclosed by rendered wall. Double-leaf timber battened gate flanked by square-profile dressed stone piers having moulded string courses and ball finials.
Appraisal
The stable yard of Loughbawn House is a fine example of planned outbuildings associated with demesne landscapes in Ireland and reflects the wider planning of the demesne landscape as a whole. It is elegantly proportioned and neatly laid out, comprising an L-plan range surrounding a cobbled yard, with additional buildings forming an outer yard to the rear. Much of the original form and fabric is retained, notably original timber fittings to the interior, which provides rare contextual interest. Features such as dressed stone surrounds attest to the employment of skilled craftsmanship in the construction of these outbuildings, which make an important contribution to the architectural heritage of the region.
Irish Historic Houses 