Bargy Castle, Tomhaggard, Co Wexford 

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. 32. “(Harvey/IFR, De Burgh/IFR) An old castle, originally belonging to the Rossiter family, added to at various periods and given regular sash windows with segmental pointed heads and Georgian Gothic astragals. Interior full of ups and downs, winding stairs and secret chambers; some 16C and 17C panelling, with the initials of the Rossiters; some carved panelling which was probably brought from elsewhere. Some of the rooms have massive beams. A large room with pointed arches, now the dining room, is said to have been originally a chapel. The home of Bagenal Harvey, the United Irish leader, who commanded the United Forces in Wexford 1798: after the defeat of the insurgents he was captured and hanged off Wexford Bridge; Bargy and the rest of his estates were confiscated under the Act of Attainder, but restored 1810 to his brother, John Harvey. Sold by the Harveys 1947 to Mr Thomas H. Paget. Resold ca 1960 to Gen Sir Eric de Burgh; now the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Lt Col and Mrs C.J. Davison, who have added a new wing to the castle, with correct battlements. The pop star Chris de Burgh is their son.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15704770/bargy-castle-bargy-co-wexford

Detached four-bay (two-bay deep) three-storey over basement country house, extant 1837, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay four-stage tower abutting single-bay (three-bay deep) two-storey end bay. Leased, 1901. Occupied, 1911. Sold, 1947. Resold, 1960. Extended, 1968-70, producing present composition. Roofs not visible behind parapets, paired fine roughcast diagonal chimney stacks on cut-granite beaded corbels centred on paired fine roughcast diagonal chimney stacks having stringcourses below capping, and concealed rainwater goods retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered fine roughcast battered walls with fine roughcast Irish battlemented parapets having rendered coping. Remodelled Tudor-headed off-central door opening with granite flagged threshold, and lichen-spotted cut-granite surround having stepped reveals framing Gothic-style timber panelled door. Tudor-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing eight-over-eight timber sash windows having overlights. Tudor-headed window openings (top floor) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing four-over-eight timber sash windows. Set in landscaped grounds. 

A country house representing an important component of the domestic built heritage of south County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one restructured by John Francis Harvey JP (1758-1834) enveloping a sixteenth-century “castle” carrying an armorial plaque of the Rossiters[SMR WX047-047—; SMR WX047-047001-], confirmed by such attributes as the multi-faceted plan form; the “pointed” profile of the openings underpinning a contemporary Georgian Gothic theme with those openings showing an interesting variation on the so-called “Wexford Window” sash-and-overlight glazing pattern; and the monolithic “Irish” battlements embellishing the roofline: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the continued development or “improvement” of the country house (1968-70) for General Sir Eric de Burgh KCB DSO OBE (1881-1973) or Lieutenant-Colonel Charles John Davison MBE (1915-2001). Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the neo-medieval interior where contemporary joinery; chimneypieces; and some sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1903); and a windmill tower repurposed as a “picturesque” folly (see 15704771), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of an estate having historic connections with the Harvey family including Major John Harvey JP DL (1816-80), ‘late of Bargy Castle County Wexford’ (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1880, 300); John Maclachlan Harvey (1853-1912), ‘Land Owner late of Bargy Castle County Wexford’ (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1912, 263); and Captain Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey (1890-1947).