Bence-Jones, Mark

Moyne House, Durrow, County Laois

by jenjunebug

Moyne House, Durrow, County Laois

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. 219. “(Hamilton Stubber/IFR; Hamilton/IFR) A two storey five bay early  to mid-C18 house, with a baseless floating pediment containing an oculus, a central Venetian window and multiple voussoirs over the windows; enlarged late C19 by the addition of a two storey two bay wing at one side, and reconstructed after two successive fires 1888 and 1899. Enclosed porch with corner-pilasters and segmental pediment added to C18 façade; single-storey rectangular projections on the front and side of c19 wing. High-pitched roof with dormered attic. Long wing at back. Large hall with modillion cornice and panelling with stairs going out of it at one end. Large drawing room with good Adam-Revival ceiling. Dining room with frieze of plasterwork in late C18 style and carved wood chimneypiece in Elizabethan style.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12802942/moyne-house-moyne-county-laois

Detached five-bay two-storey house with dormer attic, built c.1730, with pedimented bay to centre having projecting porch to ground floor. Renovated and extended, c.1880, comprising two-bay two-storey wings with dormer attic to left having box bay windows to ground floor. Double-pitched and hipped slate roof with rolled lead ridge tiles and limestone ashlar chimneystacks. Roof is gabled to dormer attic windows. Rubble limestone walls. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills, limestone keystone and single-pane timber sash windows. Venetian-style window opening to entrance bay and oculus to pediment. Segmental pediment to door opening with timber panelled door. Interior not inspected. House is set back from road in own grounds; landscaped grounds to site. Stable complex to site including two-storey rubble stone ranges. One outbuilding renovated, c.1970, to accommodate residential use. Detached limestone ashlar lodge to site. Gateway to site comprising rusticated limestone piers with cast-iron gate. 

see http://lordbelmontinnorthernireland.blogspot.com/2014/12/moyne-house.html

THE HAMILTON-STUBBERS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN THE QUEEN’S COUNTY, WITH 7,388 ACRES 

HUGH HAMILTON settled at Lisbane, County Down, during the reign of JAMES I, and was made a denizen of Ireland in 1616. 

He died in 1655 and was buried at Bangor, County Down, leaving issue, 

John, of Ballymenoch; 
ALEXANDER, of whom presently; 
Robert. 

The second son, 

 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, of Killyleagh, County Down, married Jean, daughter of John Hamilton, of Belfast, and had issue, 

HUGH, his heir; 
Jane, m William Sloane, of Chelsea. 

Mr Hamilton died in 1676, and was succeeded by his son, 

 
HUGH HAMILTON, of Ballybrenagh, who wedded Mary, sister of Robert Ross, of Rostrevor, and daughter of George Ross, of Portavo, by Ursula his wife, daughter of Captain Hans Hamilton, of Carnesure, and had issue, 

ALEXANDER, his heir; 
George, of Tyrella; 
Jane. 

Mr Hamilton died in 1728, and was succeeded by his elder son, 

 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, of Knock, County Dublin, and of Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, MP for Killyleagh, 1730-61, who espoused Isabella, daughter of Robert Maxwell, of Finnebrogue, County Down, by Jane, daughter of the Rev Simon Chichester, Vicar of Belfast (eldest son of Henry Chichester, of Marwood, by Jane, daughter of the Rt Rev Robert Maxwell, Lord Bishop of Kilmore). 

He died in 1768, leaving four sons and three daughters, viz. 

HUGH (Rt Rev), Lord Bishop of Ossory; 
ROBERT, of whom we treat; 
George; 
Charles; 
Isabella; Anne; Elizabeth. 

The second son, 

 
ROBERT HAMILTON, of Gloucester Street, Dublin, married Hester, daughter of Crewe Chetwood, of Woodbrook, Queen’s County, and had issue, 

ALEXANDER CHETWOOD, his heir; 
Robert. 

Mr Hamilton died in 1790, and was succeeded by his elder son, 

 
THE REV ALEXANDER CHETWOOD HAMILTON, Rector of Thomastown, County Kilkenny, who married, in 1801, Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of THE REV SEWELL STUBBER, and assumed, in 1824, the surname of STUBBER in lieu of Hamilton, and the arms of Stubber only. 

By her he had issue, 

ROBERT, his heir; 
Sewell (Rev); 
William, of Roundwood, father of CHARLES PAULET HAMILTON; 
Alexander Chetwood; 
Richard Hugh (Rev); 
Hester Maria; Harriet Anne; Sophia Elizabeth; Anne Matilda. 

The Rev Alexander Chetwood Hamilton died in 1830, and was succeeded by his eldest son, 

ROBERT HAMILTON STUBBER JP DL (1803-63), of Moyne, High Sheriff of Queen’s County, 1831, who married, in 1840, Olivia, daughter of the Rev Edward Lucas, of the Castleshane family, and widow of Henry Smyth, of Mount Henry, Queen’s County, and had issue, 

ROBERT HAMILTON, his heir; 
Olivia Harriet Florence Hamilton; Eleanor Frances Beatrice Hamilton. 

Mr Hamilton-Stubber was succeeded by his son and heir, 

 
ROBERT HAMILTON HAMILTON-STUBBER JP DL (1844-1916), of Moyne and Castle Fleming, Queen’s County, High Sheriff of Queen’s County, 1873, Lieutenant, Royal Dragoons, who espoused firstly, in 1877, Adèle Grainger, daughter of Alexander Duncan, of Knossington Grange, Leicestershire, and had issue, 

ROBERT; 
Olive. 

He wedded secondly, in 1885, Georgina Alice Mary, youngest daughter of George Power, sixth son of Sir John Power Bt, of Kilfane, County Kilkenny, and had issue, a daughter, Margery. 

Mr Hamilton-Stubber sold the Moyne estate to his cousin, 

CHARLES PAULET HAMILTON (1834-1907), grandson of the Rev A C Hamilton, who wedded, in 1878, Emily Louise, daughter of William Smyth-King, and had issue, 

Maurice William Chetwode (1882-1955); 
HUBERT CHARLES; 
Elinor Frances; Kathleen Elizabeth; Alice Maude; Mary Beatrice. 

Mr Hamilton’s younger son, 

HUBERT CHARLES HAMILTON DSO (1887-1946), of Moyne, Barrister, wedded, in 1912, Honoria Eliza Sylvia Vera, daughter of Major Travers Robert Blackley, and had issue, an only child, 

HUBERT CHARLES PAULET HAMILTON (1915-2007), of Moyne, Captain, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who married firstly, in 1941, Margaret Helen, daughter of Sir Owen Watkin Williams-Wynn Bt, and had issue, 

ANDREW PAULET. 

He espoused secondly, in 1950, Katharine Frances, daughter of William Evelyn Joseph Dobbs, and had further issue, 

Hubert Kildare, b 1953; 
Dominick Charles, b 1954; 
Sophia Elinor, b 1960. 

MOYNE HOUSE, near Durrow, County Laois, is a five-bay two-storey house with dormer attic, built ca 1730. 

It has a pedimented central bay with a projecting porch. 

Moyne was renovated and extended about 1880, with two-bay, two-storey wings and a dormer attic. 

The house has a double-pitched and hipped slate roof, with rolled lead ridge tiles and limestone ashlar chimney-stacks. 

The roof is gabled; rubble limestone walls; a Venetian-style window opening to entrance bay and oculus to pediment. 

The house is set back from the main road in its own landscaped grounds. 

It has a stable complex, including two-storey rubble stone ranges, one of which was renovated about 1970 to accommodate residential use. 

Of its interior, the drawing-room is notable for its Adam-Revival ceiling; while the dining-room has a frieze of plasterwork in late 18th century style; and a carved wood chimney-piece in Elizabethan style.  

Moyne Polo Club, established in 1996, is affiliated to the Hurlingham Polo Association. 

A Midsummer Ball and one-day tournament is held in June; a two-day tournament on the penultimate weekend in July; and a tournament in August with the emphasis on junior polo. 

Moyne House became the Hamilton family home in the early part of the 19th century, when Robert Hamilton-Stubber (1803-63) moved there from Kilkenny. 

The house then descended via Robert Hamilton-Stubber (1846-1916) to Major Robert Hamilton-Stubber DSO (d 1963), who sold Moyne to his cousin, Hubert Charles Hamilton, in the 1920s; from whom the present branch of the family is descended. 

The Hamilton family still live at Moyne. 

Lansdowne Park, Portarlington, Co Laois

by jenjunebug

Lansdowne Park, Portarlington, Co Laois – ruinous 

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. 299. “(Moore, sub Drogheda, E/PB) A large stucco-faced house with stone trimmings, predominantly early C19 but remodelled on several occasions; and with a gable-ended wing which may have been the original C18 house. Principal front of two storeys and seven bays, the outer bay on either side breaking forward, with a single-storey three bay central feature of Doric pilasters. Quoins and round-shouldered window surrounds; entablatures over outer windows in lower storey. Opposite front consisting of a three storey three bay centre between slightly projecting two storey two bay wings of the same height; the windows of this front also having shouldered surrounds. Irregular side elevation with bow. Rich, gilded interior; Venetian niches and round-headed scrolled chimneypiece in hall; screen of composite columns. The house is spectacularly situated, facing down the River Barrow. Now ruinous.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12800402/lansdowne-park-house-ballymorris-laois

Detached seven-bay two-storey house, c. 1830, with tetrastyle Doric loggia. Now in ruins. 

Knightstown, Portarlington Co Laois 

by jenjunebug

Knightstown, Portarlington Co Laois 

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. 178. “(Carden, Bt, of Templemore/PB) A two storey early to mid-C18 house. Five bay front, with pedimented breakfront; predimented doorcase with Venetian window over. High roof on bracket cornice Three bay side elevation.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12800879/knightstown-house-knightstown-or-ballinriddery-county-laois

Detached five-bay two-storey Georgian house with dormer attic, built c.1760, with pedimented central breakfront and stair return to rear. Extended to rear comprising single-storey return. Double-pitched and hipped artificial slate roof with gabled dormer attic windows and nap rendered chimneystacks with yellow clay pots. Timber dentil eaves to front; projecting ashlar eaves course to rear. Nap rendered walls with ruled and lined detail, ashlar plinth and rendered quoins. Rubble stone to rear elevation and brick laid in English Garden Wall bond to return. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills and six-over-six timber sash windows. Venetian-style window opening to centre first floor. Limestone pedimented doorcase with timber panelled door. Interior not inspected. Set back from road in own grounds; part overgrown grounds to site. Group of detached rubble stone barrel-vaulted outbuildings to site with corrugated-iron roofs. Single-arch stone road bridge over stream to drive with ashlar voussoirs. 

Jamestown, Co Laois

by jenjunebug

Jamestown, Co Laois 

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. 160. “A hybrid house with Diocletian windows under Victorian gables and fancy bargeboards. Pillared porch at end.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12800915/jamestown-house-jamestown-or-ballyteigeduff-county-laois

Detached three-bay two-storey house, built c.1740, with round-headed door opening to centre and returns to rear. Stable complex to site. Double-pitched and hipped slate roof with clay ridge tiles, nap rendered chimneystacks with red clay pots and cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls; painted. Square-headed window openings with stone sills and six-over-six timber sash window. Ground floor windows set into recessed arches. Round-headed door opening with stone Doric doorcase and timber panelled double door with decorative fanlight. Entrance/ Stair Hall: replacement timber pilaster doorcases to internal doors; carved timber staircase; replacement fireplaces throughout; decorative plaster cornices to ceilings decorative plaster centrepieces. Set back from road in own grounds; landscaped grounds to site; tarmacadam drive and forecourt to approach. Stable complex to site comprising group of detached single- and two-storey rubble stone outbuildings. 

Wilton, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny 

by jenjunebug

Wilton, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny 

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. 285. “(Butler/IFR) A double bow-fronted house of ca 1780. Now derelict.” 

Uppercourt (formerly Upperwood), Freshford, Co Kilkenny 

by jenjunebug

Uppercourt (formerly Upperwood), Freshford, Co Kilkenny 

Uppercourt, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory. 

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. 280. “(De Montmorency, Bt/PB; Eyre, sub Eyre-Huddleson/LG1952) A three storey five bay late C18 block with a three storey two bay later addition of the same height and in the same style at one side of it; beyond which is a two storey three bay wing. The late C18 block has a three bay pedimented breakfront and a single-storey balustraded Ionic portico; there are urns on the pediment and roof parapet. the top storey is treated as an attic, above the cornice; as is the top storey of the later addition. Elaborate early C19 Italian plasterwork. The seat of the Ryves family, whose co-heiress married William Morres, 1st Bt; the third and last Bt reverted to his family’s original surname of de Montmorency. Acquired C19 by the Eyre family, who gave the house an ornate oratory. Sold ca 1929; now owned by a religious order. In the village of Freshford, there is a small house which was magnificently decorated on the small scale by the Italian plasterers for their landlady.” 

Uppercourt, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory. 

Was Section 482 in 2000, contact Denis Cahalane 061 469084 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12305022/uppercourt-house-upperwood-demesne-freshford-co-kilkenny

Detached five-bay three-storey over basement Classical-style house, built 1798, originally five-bay two-storey with three-bay three-storey pedimented central bay having prostyle tetrastyle Ionic portico to ground floor, five-bay three-storey side (west) elevation, and four-bay four-storey rear (south) elevation. Extended, 1820, comprising three-bay two-storey over basement advanced end bay to left extending into three-bay two-storey advanced terminating block having combined four-bay three-storey rear (south) elevation with single-bay three-storey canted bay. Converted to use as college, 1932. Closed, 1989. Now disused. Hipped slate roofs (on a quadrangular plan to original block; gabled to pediment) behind parapets with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks, rooflights to pavilion block, and concealed cast-iron rainwater goods. Unpainted rendered, ruled and lined walls with cut-limestone quoins to corners to original block, dentilated moulded cornice over (forming attic storey) with blocking course, moulded cornice to top floor having blocking course with urn finials, and moulded surround to pediment. Square-headed window openings with cut-limestone sills, six-over-nine (ground floor), six-over-six (first floor), and three-over-three (top floor) timber sash windows. Grouped (three-part arrangement) round-headed openings to entrance bay under prostyle tetrastyle limestone ashlar Ionic portico (approached by flight of four cut-limestone steps with flanking parapets having lion statues, sections of wrought iron railings between columns, columns with responsive pilasters supporting frieze, moulded cornice, and balustraded parapet having statuary surmounting coping) with three-over-six timber sash windows (French door to central opening) having overlights. Interior with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set back from road in own grounds with gravel forecourt, and landscaped grounds to site. 

Appraisal 

A very well composed substantial country house built as Upperwood House to designs prepared by John Roberts (1712-96) for the Ryves family: having origins dating back beyond the foundation of an Episcopal Palace in 1251 by Bishop Hugh Mapleton (fl. 1251-60) the present house represents the continued long-standing occupation of the grounds. Originally featuring a compact footprint the architectural design value of the composition is identified by the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing an elegantly-tired visual effect: centred on a portico displaying expert stone masonry further limestone embellishments enhance the refined Classical theme of the composition. Despite having been put out of use by the late twentieth century the house has historically been well maintained to present an early aspect with the original fabric surviving largely in place both to the exterior and to the interior where an elaborate decorative scheme incorporates a range of fittings augmenting the artistic design aspirations of the composition including carved fireplaces, delicate plasterwork accents, and so on. Presently (2004-5) undergoing a comprehensive restoration programme the house remains of additional importance for the connections with the Morres, the de Montmorency, the Bryan, and the Eyre families together with the one-time use as a seminary or training college for the Mill Hill Missionaries when it was known as Saint Joseph’s College, thereby highlighting the importance of religious institutions in Freshford through the ages. 

Uppercourt, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory. 
Uppercourt, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory. 
Uppercourt, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory. 
Uppercourt, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory. 

Rockshire House, Co Kilkenny 

by jenjunebug

Rockshire House, Co Kilkenny 

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. 244. “(Newport/Bt,PB1862) A fine two storey house overlooking the city of Waterford from the Kilkenny side of the River Suir, built 1780s by a member of the rich and powerful C18 Waterford banking family of Newport. Long façade with two three sided bows. Pillared hall, magnificent drawing room or ballroom, higher than the other principal rooms; with a ceiling of fine late C18 plasterwork with good doorcases. The house was saved from destruction by Mr Donal O’Neill Flanagan, the architect, who bought it and restored it sympathetically as the offices of his firm.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12404605/rockshire-house-rockshire-waterford-environs-of-co-kilkenny

Rockshire House, ROCKSHIRE, Waterford (environs of), County Kilkenny 

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Detached seven-bay two-storey over basement Classical-style house, c.1775, on a symmetrical plan comprising three-bay two-storey central block with pair of two-storey canted bay windows to outer bays, and two-bay two-storey flanking ranges having two-bay two-storey side elevations on shallow bowed plans. Restored, pre-1988. Converted to use as apartments, 2001. Hipped slate roof (continuing into half-octagonal sections to canted bay windows) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks, slightly sproketed eaves, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Painted rendered, ruled and lined walls. Square-headed window openings with painted cut-stone sills, nine-over-six or nine-over-nine (ground floor) and six-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows. Round-headed door opening approached by flight of four cut-stone steps having wrought iron railings, painted rendered pilaster doorcase incorporating entablature, and timber panelled double doors having fanlight. Set back from road in own grounds with wrought iron railings to basement on cut-stone plinth, and landscaped grounds to site including forecourt. 

Appraisal 

An elegantly-appointed middle-size house built by the Newport family forming an important element of the mid to late eighteenth-century domestic architectural heritage of the environs of Waterford City. Distinctive attributes including the bay windows, the Classically-detailed doorcase, and so on all contribute to the architectural design aesthetic of the composition. Having been thoroughly restored under the direction of Donal O’Neill-Flanagan (n. d.) the house remains of additional importance for the historic connections with the Greene family. 

https://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/2-rockshire-house-rockshire-road-ferrybank-waterford/3945761

Power Hall (formerly Snowhill), Co Kilkenny 

by jenjunebug

Power Hall (formerly Snowhill), Co Kilkenny 

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. 234. “(Power/IFR) A house overlooking Waterford Harbour from the county Kilkenny side, just above where the Suir estuary is joined by that of the Nore and the Barrow. Built ca 1765 by the Snow family; a massive three storey Georgian block. Five bay front; doorway with very large fanlight. Impressive hall with columns; splendid oval stone staircase with balustrade of brass uprights. Subsequently owned by the O’Neill Power family, who changed the name from Snowhill to Power Hall, and converted a room into a chapel designed by Pugin. Demolished ca 1955.” 

Paulstown Castle, Paulstown, Co Kilkenny 

by jenjunebug

Paulstown Castle, Paulstown, Co Kilkenny 

Paulstown Castle, County Kilkenny, courtesy of National Inventory.

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. 301. “(Flood, sub Solly-Flood/LGI1912) An old tower house with a C18 interior. Large ballroom on second floor; marble bolection-moulded chimneypieces.” 

Paulstown Castle, County Kilkenny, courtesy of National Inventory.

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12402108/paulstown-castle-paulstown-co-kilkenny

Detached three-bay three-storey over raised basement country house, built 1828, on a rectangular plan with single-bay full-height side elevations; three-bay full-height rear (west) elevation. Sold, 1892. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Vacant, 1973. Now in ruins. Hipped slate roof behind parapet now missing, paired limestone ashlar central “wallhead” chimney stacks having stringcourses below capping, and concealed rainwater goods. Part creeper- or ivy-covered coursed rubble limestone battered walls (ground floor) with cut-limestone flush quoins to corners; part creeper- or ivy-covered limestone ashlar surface finish (upper floors) with cut-limestone stringcourses including cut-limestone stringcourse supporting “Balistraria”-detailed parapet having cut-limestone coping. Pointed-arch central window opening in square-headed recess (basement) with drag edged cut-limestone sill, and cut-limestone voussoirs with remains of hood moulding framing timber casement window behind wrought iron bars. Square-headed window openings (ground floor) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and limestone ashlar voussoirs with hood mouldings framing remains of eight-over-eight timber sash windows without horns having exposed sash boxes. Square-headed window openings (upper floors) with drag edged dragged cut-limestone sills, and limestone ashlar voussoirs framing remains of eight-over-eight timber sash windows without horns having exposed sash boxes. Interior in ruins. Set in unkempt grounds with rendered piers to perimeter having ball finial-topped capping. 

Appraisal 

Paulstown Castle, County Kilkenny, courtesy of National Inventory.

A country house erected to a design attributed to William Robertson (1770-1850) of Kilkenny (Craig and Garner 1973, 111) representing an important component of the domestic built heritage of County Kilkenny with the architectural value of the composition, one repurposing at least the footings of ‘an ancient pile of a building said to have formerly been the residence of Sir Peirce Butler’ [SMR KK021-005—-], confirmed by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form; the construction in a deep grey limestone demonstrating good quality workmanship; the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression with those openings showing conventional Georgian glazing patterns; and the monolithic parapeted roofline. Although reduced to ruins following a prolonged period of unoccupancy, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, thus upholding much of the character or integrity of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1839); and a nearby gate lodge (extant 1900), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate having historic connections with the Flood family including Henry Flood (1769-1840); and William Flood (1818-85), ‘Justice of the Peace late of Paulstown Castle County Kilkenny’ (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1885, 279); and the Healy family including John Healy (d. 1893), ‘Farmer late of Paulstown County Kilkenny’ (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1894, 366); and James Healy (—-), ‘Farmer’ (NA 1911). 

Paulstown Castle, County Kilkenny, courtesy of National Inventory.
Paulstown Castle, County Kilkenny, courtesy of National Inventory.

https://www.geni.com/projects/Historic-Buildings-of-Co-Kilkenny-L-Z/28900

Paulstown Castle - situated between Gowran and Paulstown 3 km from Gowran. Associations with the Flood family of nearby View Mount House (12402107/KK-21-07), the Healy family, and for the reputed connections with Sir Pearse Butler 

Millmount, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny 

by jenjunebug

Millmount, Kilkenny, co Kilkenny 

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. 206. “A house of two storeys over a basement built probably between 1760-70 by William Colles, owner of the nearby Kilkenny Marble Works, which supplied the familiar black marble chimneypieces to houses all over Ireland. Of an unusual cruciform plan, one arm having a pedimented one bay end with a Venetian doorway; the two arms at right angles ending in curved bows.” 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12402007/mill-mount-house-highrath-madockstown-kilkenny

Millmount, County Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory.
Millmount, County Kilkenny, courtesy National Inventory.

Detached three-bay two-storey over basement Classical-style house with dormer attic, c.1775, on a cruciform plan with single-bay two-storey pedimented projecting entrance bay to centre, single-bay two-storey side elevations having single-bay full-height bows, and single-bay two-storey return to south. Mostly refenestrated. Hipped slate roof on a cruciform plan (gabled to entrance bay and to return; continuing into half-conical roofs to bows) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks, slightly sproketed eaves, and cast-iron rainwater goods on moulded cut-limestone eaves having iron brackets. Unpainted rendered walls with cut-limestone dressings including carved stringcourse to basement, quoins to corners, and moulded surround to pediment. Square-headed window openings (lunette window opening to pediment) with cut-limestone sills, cut-limestone surrounds (no surrounds to basement), and replacement uPVC casement windows retaining eight-over-eight timber sash windows to basement having wrought iron bars. Venetian door opening with cut-limestone surround including channelled piers supporting moulded cornice, moulded archivolt having keystone, timber panelled door having sidelights, and fanlight. Interior with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Road fronted. 

Appraisal 

A well-appointed Classical-style house built for William Colles (n. d.) with the scale and fine detailing suggesting a patron of substantial means having associations with the nearby Highrath Marble Sawing Mill complex (not included in survey). Distinctive attributes enhancing the formal architectural design value of the composition include a Venetian door arrangement, elegant bows, and so on while limestone dressings displaying good quality craftsmanship further enliven the external expression of the house. However, while most of the attributes survive in place including evidence of the original fabric to the interior the character of the house has not benefited from the insertion of inappropriate replacement fittings to most of the openings. 

Paddy Rossmore. Photographs. Edited by Robert O’Byrne. The Lilliput Press, Dublin 7, 2019. 

“Mill Mount was the site of a marble works established in the early eighteenth century by local entrepreneur William Colles who invented machinery for sawing, boring and polishing stone, all of which formerly had to be done by hand… He is believed to have been the builder of several country houses such as Bessborough and Woodstock, as well as the Tholsel in Kilkenny which he may also have designed. Following his death in 1770, the business was inherited by a son, also called William Colles, and he is said to have designed and built Mill Mount, presumably before his own death in 1779. …”