Dungar, Coolderry, Co Offaly
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. 115. “A two storey C19 house with a front and side elevation of three bays, the centre bay of the front being recessed, and that of the side breaking forwards. Porch and arches and rusticated piers; single-storey curved bow in centre of side elevation; prominent quoins; entabaltures over ground floor windows; eaved roof on bracket cornice. The home of Mr Harry Read, who in 1911-12 had the unique distinction of playing for Ireland at cricket, rugby, and tennis. Some years ago, Mr and Mrs Read moved to a new house which they had built for themselves near an old castle in the grounds, and which is named the Old Castle House.”
Detached three-bay two-storey over raised basement country house in the Italianate style, built in 1839, by Thomas A. Cobden, architect, with portico to entrance and bow to south-facing side elevation. Two-storey five-bay range to north. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks, open eaves and cast-iron rainwater goods. Ruled and lined rendered walls with sandstone dressings including plinth, quoins and string courses. Square-headed window openings with sandstone architrave surrounds and timber sash windows. Rusticated ashlar portico with arched-openings contains round-headed door opening with sandstone surround, timber panelled double door and glazed fanlight. Door accessed up six sandstone steps. Walled garden to north-west of house.
Built in 1839 by the architect Thomas A. Cobden, Dungar House is an extraordinary mid nineteenth-century country house. Located east of Roscrea, the house displays a high degree of architectural detailing and embellishment in the bold ornate Italianate style. The former owners left this house and built a new home near the ruins of the old castle on the estate. The house was neglected but fortunately the present owners acquired the house before it fell into ruin and saved this valuable contributor to the architectural heritage of County Offaly. The walled garden is notable for its size.
Irish Historic Houses 