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. 265. “(Southwell, V/PB; Massy/IFR) A two storey five bay gable-ended C18 house, originally a hunting lodge owned by Hon Henry Southwell, MP; bought by the Massys after his death 1758. Tripartite doorway. At the back of the house is a wing said to be earlier and also a fine stable range added 1802 by J.F. Massy, enclosing a courtyard.”
Stoneville, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.
Detached five-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1730, having five-bay three-storey return with lean-to and single-bay two-storey lean-to to rear (north) elevation. Originally built as a hunting lodge. Pitched slate roof having carved limestone eaves course and red brick chimneystacks to gable ends, having external flue to east elevation. Roughcast rendered walls with render quoins. Slate hung tiles to west elevation. Square-headed openings with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Internal timber shutters to interior. Square-headed openings to return, some with nine-over-nine pane timber sliding sash windows, some having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Round-headed opening to lean-to to return first floor with spoked fanlight over six-over-twelve pane timber sliding sash window and oculus to second floor having fixed window. Round-headed opening having carved limestone surround with scrolled keystone, spoked fanlight over timber panelled door and flanking sidelights having carved limestone surrounds with entablatures and sills. Flight of limestone steps to entrance. Square-plan game store to north courtyard having hipped slate roof. Rubble limestone walls with carved stringcourse. Square-headed window openings, now partially blocked up. Nine-bay single-storey range to north courtyard adjoining east elevation of house. Pitched slate roof. Rubble limestone walls. Square-headed window and door openings having dressed limestone voussoirs, sills, timber fittings and timber battened doors. Six-bay two-storey range to north-west adjoining return, north elevation with pitched slate roof. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed openings to first floor with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Those to ground floor having one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed openings with timber battened doors. Seven-bay two-storey L-plan outbuilding to north-east having pitched slate roof. Rubble limestone walls. Diocletian style window openings to first floor with dressed limestone voussoirs and sills, some now blocked up. Square-headed window openings to ground floor having limestone sills, some with fixed windows, some with timber fittings. Square-headed openings having timber battened doors. Round-headed carriage arch with dressed limestone voussoirs. Seven-bay two-storey range to east with hipped slate roof. Rubble limestone walls. Diocletian style window openings to first floor having cut limestone surrounds with keystones and sills. Integral elliptical-headed carriage arch to centre bay having ashlar limestone surround with keystone, impost courses and carved heraldic plaque and date stone of 1802. Elliptical-headed arches having cut limestone voussoirs and keystones. Cast-iron water pump and cobblestones to courtyard. Pair of square-profile ashlar limestone piers to east with carved caps and double-leaf spear-headed cast-iron gate. Flanking pedestrian entrance having pair of square-profile ashlar limestone piers with single-leaf spear-headed cast-iron gate. Six-bay single-storey outbuilding to west. No roof. Limestone eaves course. Rubble limestone walls having cut limestone quoins. Square-headed window and door openings with limestone lintels and sills. Rubble limestone walled garden to north. Pair of square-profile roughly dressed limestone piers to east wall. Pointed arch door opening to east wall. Pair of square-profile ashlar limestone piers to north with carved caps. Rubble boundary walls to site. Pair of square-profile ashlar limestone piers to west with carved caps and rubble walls having carved limestone plinth courses and copings.
Appraisal
Stoneville House is a rare example of an early eighteenth-century house, which retains much of its original form and characteristic features such as the steeply pitched roof and chimneystacks to gable ends with external flues. The simple façade is enlivened by the cut limestone door surround with finely carved scrolled keystone. Originally built as a hunting lodge by the Southwell family, the house passed into the ownership of the Massy family in the mid eighteenth century. The Massy family built the courtyard to rear, complete with game store and water pump, which maintains much of its original appearance, including notable features such as the ornate limestone carriage arch surround with date plaque of 1802, a feature which adds artistic and historical interest to the site.
Stoneville, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.Stoneville, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.Stoneville, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.Stoneville, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.
Originally a hunting lodge of the Southwell family, this house was the home of the Massy family for two centuries. In 1786 Wilson refers to it as the seat of Hugh Massey. A new front was added in 1802 by Hugh Massy. The buildings were valued at £12 in the mid 19th century and the property was located on the Southwell estate. It is still extant.
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. 258. “(Bury/IFR; Waller/IFR; Armitage/LG1969) A very distinguished small early C18 house by the side of the Shannon estuary; begun ca 1709 by John Bury and completed ca 1723 by his son William; the architect seems likely to have been one of the Rothery family. Of two storeys over a basement, with a dormered attic in the high pitched roof. The entrance front and the front facing the river are both of five bays; but whereast the entrance front has a fairly simple doorcase with a segmental pediment (dated 1709), the river front doorcase (dated 1723) is splendidly baroque and incorporates a cartouche of arms; and it stands at the head of a much more impressive flight of steps than the entrance door does, owing to the basement being much higher on this side; doubtless a precaution against flooding. The roof is crowned with two tall and massive chimneystacks of patterned brickwork. All the main rooms have fielded panelling and there is a staircase of fine joinery with alternate barley sugar balusters. The house is flanked by two “L” shaped detached wings, with mullion and transom windows. Originally these wings had curvilinear gables on the entrance front. Shannon Grove was for some years post WWII the home of Mr and Mrs R.W. Armitage. It is now the home of Mr and Mrs John W. Griffith.”
Detached five-bay two-storey over basement country house, built c. 1709 and completed in c. 1723, with extensions to sides. Hipped roof with dormered attic and two tall chimneystacks of patterned brickwork. Square-headed window openings. Simple doorcase with segmental pediment to entrance front dated 1709, Baroque styled doorcase to garden front dated 1723 with a flight of steps leading to it. Roughcast rendered walls. House flanked by two L-shaped detached wings with mullion and transom windows. Pigeon house to east of house with a honeycombed in terior.
Appraisal
This is a very distinguished early eighteenth-century house, which was begun by John Bury and completed by his son, William, was designed by an architect who may have been one of the Rothery family. It is a highly significant house in terms of its style, along with the decorative elements such as the doorcases and the tall, massive patterned brick chimneystacks. It is sited significantly on the south shore of the Shannon estuary and the different doorway treatment on the river side underlines the importance of the riverine elevation. The survival of the pigeon house adds further technical interest in terms of the honeycombed interior which survives in this demesne related building.
Completed around 1709 in a Dutch-Palladian style, Shannon Grove is a fine medium sized Irish country houses. It has a central block with small symmetrical wings, and particularly fine brick chimneys. Possibly constructed by mason John O’Brien for landowner John Bury.
Originally the home of the Bury family, Earls of Charleville, overlooking the Shannon estuary. The Ordnance Survey Name Books record this house as four-storied, built in 1709. Bence Jones dates this house from the early 18th century. Lewis writes that Shannon Grove was the old family mansion of the Earls of Charleville and “now the residence of Bolton Waller”. Bolton Waller held the property in fee in the early 1850s when the buildings were valued at £43 and the demesne was over 400 acres. Bought by John Sheehy of Askeaton in 1860 and remained in the possession of his descendants until the mid 20th century. The house is still extant and occupied.
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. 255. “(Ryan/IFR) A two storey gabled C19 house of mildly Tudor-Revival character. Mullioned windows with hood mouldings; single-storey7 shallow battlemented bows. Overhanging roofs with bargeboards, Victorian glazed porch Seat of the Ryan family, whose famous pack of foxhounds, the Scarteen Black and Tans, is kennelled here.”
Detached three-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1820, with later nineteenth-century additions including a glazed porch. House comprising projecting gable-fronted bays, crenellated bay window and porch to front (south) elevation. Crenellated bay window, recessed crenellated bay and five-bay two-storey extension having gablets to west elevation. Pitched slate roof with timber bargeboards, finials and rendered chimneystacks. Hipped slate roof to extension. Single-pitched fishscale slate roof to porch. Roughcast rendered walls having render plinth course. Square-headed bipartite openings to first floor with render label mouldings and six-over-one pane timber casement windows. Square-headed opening to first floor, centre-bay having render label moulding and fixed window. Square-headed bipartite openings to ground floor with render label mouldings and bipartite four-over-one pane timber casement windows. Square-headed openings to extension, first floor having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed openings to porch having inset pointed arch fixed windows with recessed spandrels. Square-headed opening to porch with half-glazed timber panelled door. Four-bay two-storey outbuilding to north having open work bellcote to north elevation and four-bay single-storey outbuilding to south gable. Pitched slate roof. Rubble limestone walls. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills. Square-headed openings having timber battened doors. Pitched slate roof to south outbuilding with rubble limestone walls. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills. Square-headed door opening. Nine-bay single-storey outbuilding to south having pitched slate roof and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rubble limestone walls with cast-iron patris plates. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills. Square-headed openings having timber battened doors. Three-bay single-storey former gate lodge to east. Hipped slate roof with timber bargeboards and rendered chimneystack. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed openings having bipartite four-over-one pane timber casement windows. Square-headed opening with replacement timber panelled door. Pair of square-profile rusticated limestone piers to east with carved caps, plinth course and rusticated limestone walls.
Appraisal
Scarteen, built by the Ryan family in different phases, displays a predominantly nineteenth-century Tudor Revival façade. Features of this style include gabled projections, crenellated bay windows and decorative features such as the hoodmouldings. The retention of the slate roof and timber bargeboards help maintain the original character of the house. The substantial outbuildings and Tudor Revival gate lodge enhance the composition and add context to the site.
Thaddeus R. Ryan was resident at nearby Castle Jane [Ryves Castle] in 1837 as recorded by Lewis and Scarteen was unoccupied. John Ryan was the occupier of Scarteen in the early 1850s when the house was valued at £30+. He held the property from William H. Ryves. His widow Alice owned 50 acres in county Limerick in the 1870s. The Ryans still live at Scarteen where the famous pack of hounds of that name is kennelled.
In O’Hea O’Keeffe, Jane. Voices from the Great Houses: Cork and Kerry. Mercier Press, Cork, 2013.
p. 64. Rosemary explains the Ryan-Purcell connection to the old house. “This was the home of my husband John’s mother, whose name was Anita Purcell. He was the younger son, and his elder brother inherited the Ryan family home at Scarteen in Knocklong, County Limerick. When we were first married, we lived at Scarteen, which was John’s childhood home. Later, he inherited Rich Hill near Annacotty, County Limerick, from his godfather, Dicky Howley, and we lived there for a short while. When John’s aunt, Louisa Purcell, died in the early 1960s, she left Burton Park to John, so we then came to live here and have been here ever since.
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photographs by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
Nantenan (or Nantinan), Ballinagrane, Co Limerick
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. 222. “Royse/LG1850-3; White/IFR) A two storey mid-C19 house of the villa type, with an eaved roof on a bracket cornice. Three bay front and side; porch with two Ionic columns and corner piers, flanked by Wyatt windows. Impressive C18 entrance gates; tall piers with ball finials, Gothic-arched wickets, flanking walls with niches.”
Nantinen House, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.
Detached three-bay two-storey over basement country house, built in 1858, having slightly recessed entrance bay to centre with portico to front (south) elevation. Five-bay two-storey block to east. Hipped slate roof having overhanging eaves with render brackets and rendered chimneystacks. Pitched slate roof to east block having rendered chimneystacks. Lined-and-ruled rendered walls with rusticated render quoins and limestone plinth course. Lined-and-ruled rendered walls to east block. Square-headed openings to end bays, first floor having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills, those to ground floor with tripartite four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows and flanking two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows with render surrounds and limestone sills. Segmental-headed opening to centre bay, first floor having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and flanking square-headed openings with six-over-six timber sliding sash windows, all with limestone sills. Square-headed openings to rear, first floor having six-over-six timber sliding sash windows, those to ground floor with four-over-four pane timber sliding sash widows. Square-headed openings to west elevation, ground floor having tripartite four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows and flanking two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows with render surrounds and limestone sills. Square-headed openings to east block, first floor having three-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Square-headed openings to ground floor with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Portico comprising Ionic-style columns and Doric style pilasters supporting render architrave and entablature. Square-headed opening having render surround and half-glazed double-leaf timber panelled doors with flanking square-headed openings having render surrounds and four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows. Limestone steps and geometric tiles to portico. Square-headed opening to east block, rear elevation with render surround and timber battened door. Limestone steps with carved walls to south garden. Pair of square-profile ashlar limestone piers having carved caps with ball finials and double-leaf wrought-iron gates having floral motifs, dating to the eighteenth century. Sweeping lined-and-ruled rendered walls having limestone copings, pointed arch pedestrian openings with wrought-iron single-leaf cast-iron gates, round-headed niches having render roll mouldings and limestone sills terminating in second pair of square-profile limestone piers.
Appraisal
Built by Lieutenant Colonel John White to replace an earlier house, Nantinan House was originally built by the Royse family. It is a pleasing house of balanced proportions and retains many interesting features, such as the timber sash windows, tripartite sash windows and impressive Ionic entrance porch exhibiting finely executed render detailing. The house, with its large and handsome entrance piers, gates and walls, which date to the eighteenth century, form an attractive composition in the landscape.
Nantinen House, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.Nantinen House, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.Nantinen House, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.
Bence Jones writes that this was a mid 19th century house of the villa type. The original Nantenan was the residence of Major Wilson in 1814. In 1786 Wilson refers to it as the seat of Mr. Royse. It was renovated by Thomas H. Royse in the 1830s. The Ordnance Survey Name Book [circa 1840] states that the house was built about 100 years previously and that the family arms were cut over the hall door. Lewis writes of ”the very interesting improvements” which ”have been made at great expense” by T. H. Royse. This Royse residence was valued at £30 at the time of Griffith’s Valuation and was held by Thomas Royse in fee. Advertised for sale in 1853 the house and 145 acres were purchased by John White for £3,800. He demolished the old house and built a new one in the late 1850s, which was still in the possession of the White family in the 20th century. In 1906 this house was valued at £48. In 1944 the author Dorothea Conyers is recorded as the owner (ITA).
For sale 24/5/22 €1,600,000
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
The historic Nantenan Estate is a wonderful residential and agricultural estate with amenity, extending to about 208 acres in total. Situated in the southwest of Ireland, the estate is extremely accessible, with the N21 (Limerick to Tralee road)situated 5 kilometres to the south and Shannon International Airport also located close by (50 km). The estate occupies an attractive, private situation and is centred around an excellent Georgian house with beautifully proportioned and well-balanced accommodation. It also includes a former coach house and a range of farm buildings. A key feature of Nantenan Estate is the extent and combination of land comprising a mixture of silage ground, permanent pasture and forestry. Offering great potential for conservation opportunities, the varied nature and topography of the ring-fenced block of land contributes to the biodiversity of the environment, creating a habitat which is rich in flora, wildlife and birdlife. These natural assets may provide interesting opportunities for a future owner. Nantenan House Nantenan House is a substantial period property positioned in a private and tranquil setting surrounded by mature trees and extensive parkland. The house is entered from a minor public road through a bell-mouthed stone wall entrance with piers, decorative stone carved caps and wrought-iron gates which open onto a sweeping gravel driveway, flanked by overhanging mature trees and stud railing which leads to the front of the house. Dating back to the 19th Century, the two-storey property occupies a private, south-easterly facing position.
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
External features include a decorative Doric portico with shallow bows to either side, timber tripartite sash windows and a hip slated roof.
Internally, the light-filled accommodation is of generous and elegant proportions spanning approximately 7,363 square feet and suitable for hosting lavish house parties and comfortable family living, in equal measure.
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
The interior of the property has wonderful period features including corniced ceilings with centres roses, decorative fireplaces, architraves, sash and case windows and shutters. An impressive reception hall is the focal point of the house and provides access to the main reception rooms which include a cosy library, drawing room and dining room. The dual aspect drawing room and adjoining dining room have been designed with entertaining in mind and are perhaps the most spectacular rooms in the house. The light-filled reception rooms include period features such as beautiful fireplaces, picture rails and decorative cornicing.
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
The spacious kitchen contains an extensive range of storage units, a moveable island, oil-fired AGA cooker and a wood burning stove. Accessed off the kitchen and to the rear of the house is a utility room, tool room and store.
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
A unique feature to Nantenan House, is the chapel located on the ground floor. It includes an altar, hanging sanctuary lamp, cornicing and ornate ceiling mouldings.
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
The bedroom accommodation is located on the first floor and can be accessed via a U-shaped staircase. It includes seven generous bedrooms, all with impressive views of the estate parkland, plus three bathrooms. Outbuildings A range of farm buildings lie to the north of the property. They include a redundant milking parlour and dairy, a hay shed, cubicle accommodation for up to 60 cattle, slurry store, hard standing and a derelict former cottage. There is also a substantial, two-storey former coach house which offers potential for conversion, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. There is water and electricity supplied to the farm buildings. Gardens The gardens that surround the main house are predominantly laid to lawn and are neatly landscaped. They create a wonderful parkland setting and include some wonderful specimen trees which provide, colour, shelter and privacy. A beautiful walled garden is situated to the rear of the house.
The land at Nantenan Estate lies within a contiguous block and comprises good grassland plus mature woods, extending to about 208 acres in total. The topography is gently undulating with the western side of the farm being about 19 metres / 62 feet above sea-level while the eastern boundary is about 37 metres / 124 feet above sea level. The woods at Nantenan Estate extend to about 98 acres in total and are an attractive feature due to their age and variety of species. A feature of the land is the access throughout the estate, including extensive frontage onto the R518 and a network of internal roads and tracks. The land is laid out in fields of a varying size which are divided by electric fencing and mature hedging and contain water troughs. Nantenan Estate has a tranquil and rural setting in the heart of County Limerick, yet conveniently located just a short drive from Limerick City Centre which is the third largest city in Ireland. Limerick City is located at the head of the Shannon Estuary, where the river widens before it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The village of Askeaton is just 5 kilometres north of Nantenan Estate. Built on the banks of the River Deel, which is just 3 kilometres upstream from the River Shannon estuary, Askeaton offers an array of amenities including restaurants, pubs, shops, schools and also a pool and leisure centre. The focal point of the historic town is the remains of a medieval fortress, Desmond Castle, which dates back to 1199. The popular heritage town of Adare (13 km) is located east of the estate and is renowned for its architecture, as well as being one of Ireland’s prettiest towns. Historically a market town, Adare contains an abundance of amenities including excellent hotels, restaurants, professional services, along with a small variety of boutiques and retail stores. Limerick City Centre is about 30 kilometres to the north-east of the estate and offers the full range of amenities, services and culture. Limerick has a main-line train station with regular services to Dublin.
Features
Beautiful early 19th Century house
Walled garden
Private, mature setting
Traditional outbuildings & farm buildings
A mixture of silage ground, pasture & woodland
Potential for conservation opportunities and equestrianism
Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.Nantenan House, County Limerick, courtesy Savills, photograph by Tom Coakley, Barrow Coakley Photo and Videos.
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. 203. “(McCalmont/IFR) A modern house in the Classical style, built ca 1972 for Mrs Dermot McCarlmont to the design of Mrs Baker-Baker; executed by Mr Christopher Jacob. Two storey seven bay main block with pedimented doorcase; single-storey wings. Generous roofs, on cornices, bold chimneystacks.”
and supplement: ” The house was in fact designed by C. Harvey Jacob and Associates incollaboration with Mrs Baker-Baker.
Martinstown was the residence of M. Walsh in 1837. At the time of Griffith’s Valuation this was a house on the Trench/Gascoigne estate valued at £10+ and inhabited by William O’Grady. Bence Jones refers to a modern house built in circa 1972 at Martinstown, Kilmalloc
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 three storey Georgian house with an entrance front of two bays between two shallow curved bows; flanked by single-storey one bay wings with gables and bargeboards. Victorian porch. Demolished ca 1960 and a new house built in the Georgian style to the design of Mr Donal O’Neill Flanagan; of two storeys and seven bays, with a pediment and a parapeted roof. The home of Mr. Alan Lillingston, who won the Champion Hurdle as an amateur rider, and Lady Vivienne Lillingston.”
Fine Georgian residence of three storeys with single storey wings. Demolished in the late 1950s and replaced with a georgian-style house. Photograph from the Irish Tourist Association Survey 1943-44.
The county Limerick seat of the Coote family in the 18th and 19th centuries. Wilson refers to it as “the pleasant seat of Mr. Coote” in 1786. It was occupied by Chidley Coote in 1814. Lewis refers to it as the former seat of Chidley Coote in 1837. Charles Coote was resident at the time of Griffith’s Valuation and held the property in fee. The buildings were valued at £53. Their value had increased to £65 by 1906. The Irish Tourist Association surveyor wrote in 1943 that the house was bought by Sir Gilbert Greenall, who became 1st Lord Daresbury, who spent about £200,000 setting up a Model Farm. [Lord Daresbury also owned Clonshire]. Following his death three years previously it was sold and then run as a stud farm. Bence Jones writes that this house was demolished circa 1960 and a new house built in the Georgian style.
Charles Eyre Coote (1801-1858), third son of Chidley Coote (1776-1843) by James Butler Brenan RHA (1825-1889) courtesy Whyte’s Sept 2003.
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. 204. “(Westropp/IFR) A house of two storeys over a basement built ca 1780 by John Westropp. Fanlighted doorway; four bay garden front facing across the Shannon. Two bay side. A house with a delightful atmosphere.”
Mellon, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.
Detached three-bay two-storey over basement house, built c. 1780, having four-bay single-storey addition to south. Skirt slate roof with rendered chimneystacks. Rendered walls. Square-headed openings to first floor having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Those to ground floor having nine-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Round-headed opening to south elevation with spoked fanlight over eight-over-six pane timber sliding sash window and limestone sill. Square-headed openings to basement with three-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Segmental-headed opening having spoked fanlight over half-glazed timber panelled door with flanking timber pilasters having grape motifs, sidelights with render risers and flanking pilasters having grape motifs. Limestone threshold to entrance. Single-bay single-storey outbuilding to east with hipped slate roof and metal weathervane. Rubble limestone and sandstone walls. Square-headed opening having replacement timber battened door. L-plan multiple-bay single-storey outbuilding to west with hipped slate roof and rendered chimneystacks. Rubble limestone and sandstone masonry walls. Segmental-headed arches having brick voussoirs and inset square-headed door openings. Multiple-bay single-storey with dormer attic outbuilding to south having pitched slate roof, brick chimneystacks and rooflights. Rubble limestone and sandstone walls. Brick dovecotes to south elevation, now blocked up. Square-headed openings having replacement casement windows. Segmental-headed carriage arches with red brick voussoirs and inset replacement doors. Pair of square-profile rubble limestone and sandstone piers to north leading to courtyard. Pair of square-profile chamfered limestone piers to west having carved caps, plinths and double-leaf cast-iron spear-headed gates. Flanking pair of cast-iron spear-headed pedestrian gates terminating in second pair of limestone piers. Sweeping walls with limestone copings terminating in third pair of limestone piers.
Appraisal
Built on the site of a Desmond castle, Mellon House is a pleasing middle sized pile of balanced Georgian proportions. It exists largely in its original form and retains much of its original fabric. John Westropp is attributed as the builder of the house. The façade is enhanced by the entrance with its generous fanlight and timber pilasters, which serve to enliven the underlying regular classical form. The courtyard remains largely intact. Finely carved entrance piers further enhance the composition and provide artistic interest to the overall complex.
Mellon, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.Mellon, County Limerick, courtesy National Inventory.
The Westropp family are recorded as “of Mellon” from the early 18th century. Bence Jones dates the present house from circa 1780, the Ordnance Survey Field Name Books from 1812. Inhabited by Mrs Jane Westropp (nee Dawson) in the early 1850s. It was valued at £36. This 3 storied house was still in Westropp possession in the late 20th century. It is now run as a stud.
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. 204. “(Massy/B,PB) The summer residence of the Massy family in the Galtee Mountains; built ca 1800. Two storey, five bay front; two three-sided bows on each of the side elevations. Now partly demolished.”
Massy Lodge, County Limerick, courtesy National inventory.
Detached five-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1800, with two three-sided bows on each of the side elevations. Comprising gable-fronted porch to front (south-west) elevation, single-bay two-storey extension to rear (north-east) elevation. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and overhanging eaves. Render over rubble sandstone walls. Square-headed openings with limestone sills and two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed opening to north-east elevation having limestone sill and tripartite four-over-four pane timber sliding sash window with flanking one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Round-headed opening to porch having render hoodmoulding over two-over-two pane timber sliding sash window. Square-headed door opening to porch having flanking Doric style render pilasters. Square-headed opening having half-glazed timber panelled door with flanking sidelights. Ten-bay two-storey outbuilding to north-west having hipped slate roof. Render over rubble sandstone walls. Square-headed openings with sandstone voussoirs and fixed windows. Square-headed opening having sandstone voussoirs and timber battened doors. Round-headed carriage arch with dressed sandstone voussoirs, now blocked up.
Appraisal
This substantial house retains much of its original form. It was originally built under the direction of Charles Frederick Anderson as the summer residence for the Massy family in the Galtee Mountains. Features such as the sash windows and limestone sills contribute to the historic quality of the site, whilst the substantial outbuilding adds valuable context. The house is an appealing feature in the landscape, and contributes to the diversity and character of the architectural heritage of the local area.
Massy Lodge, County Limerick, 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. 204. “(Finch/LGI1912; Dring/IFR) Plain square house of five bays, the entrance recently moved to the side. Spacious hall and neoClassical plasterwork in dining room niche. Similar to Fort Etna nearby. Restored by the present owners, Mr and Mrs James Egan.”
Detached square-plan five-bay two-storey house, built c. 1790, with the original entrance moved to one side. Restored in the 1970s.
Appraisal
Mary Ville is similar in design and massing to the nearby house, Fort Etna, and is a significant addition to the architectural heritage of County Limerick.
Built in 1790 and located on the Monsell estate the residence of Hugh F. Finch in 1837 and of Mrs Finch at the time of Griffith’s Valuation when the buildings were valued at £28. In 1906 Captain G.W. Finch occupied the mansion house at Maryville valued at £35. Still in the ownership of the Finch family at the time of the Irish Tourist Association survey 1943. This property is now known as Maryville stud.
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. “(Kennedy, Bt/PB) A two storey house with a three bay Victorian front which was added to an earlier range by Abel Buckley, MP, builder of the nearby Galtee Castle. The Victorian front has quoins and wide camberheaded windows surrounded by stone blocking. the older range was once the home of Col John O’Mahony, the Fenian. Since 1973, Loughananna has been the home of Mr and Mrs Robert Kennedy.”
Detached L-plan two-storey house, built c. 1780, with bay window to west elevation and three-bay two-storey extension to front, c. 1860. Hipped slate roof having terracotta ridge tiles, cast-iron rainwater goods and rendered chimneystacks. Rrendered walls with tooled limestone quoins. Camber-headed openings to first floor, south (front) elevation having tooled limestone sills, block-and-start surrounds and voussoirs with bipartite and single one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Camber-headed openings to ground floor having square-headed timber framed door and flanking sidelights, with tooled limestone block-and-start surrounds, voussoirs, and sills. Camber-headed openings having tooled limestone sills, render surrounds and bipartite and single one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows to first floor, east and west elevations. Camber-headed opening to ground floor, west elevation with tooled limestone sill, render surround and timber framed window. Bay window to west elevation having camber-headed openings with tooled limestone sills, render surrounds and one-over-one timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed openings to east elevation having limestone sills and single and bipartie one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and timber framed windows. Camber-headed opening to front with timber door case comprising square-headed opening having half-glazed timber panelled door, side lights and overlight. Limestone steps to entrance. Camber-headed opening to west elevation with render surround, double-leaf glazed timber door and bipartite overlight. Render step to entrance. Square-headed opening to west elevation having glazed timber door. Detached five-bay two-storey former coach house to east. Slate roof hipped to south, pitched to north, with terracotta ridge tiles and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rubble sandstone walls having dressed sandstone quoins. Square-headed openings with limestone sills, red brick block-and-start surrounds and voussoirs and timber framed windows to first and ground floors. Camber-headed opening having red brick block-and-start surround, voussoirs and timber framed window. Square-headed opening with red brick block-and-start surround and voussoirs, having timber battened door. Three-bay single-storey gate lodge to west, c. 1850. Hipped slate roof with timber eaves course and red brick chimneystack. Rubble sandstone walls having roughly dressed quoins. Square-headed openings with limestone sills, red brick block-and-start surrounds and voussoirs, timber framed windows. Lean-to porch to front (north) having timber battened walls on rendered base. Square-headed opening to west elevation of porch. Pair of circular-profile roughcast-rendered gate piers with render caps and double-leaf cast-iron electronic gate to south-west.
Appraisal
This impressive house retains much of its original form and materials. The later Victorian façade is enlivened by the tooled limestone quoins and surrounds, which add variety of texture and material. Its variety of single and bipartite timber sliding sash windows add to its architectural significance, as do the retention of the related coach house and gate lodge, adding context to the site. The Victorian range was added to the earlier house by Abel Buckley MP, who was the builder of the nearby Galtee Castle, County Tipperary. The older range was once the home of Col. John O’Mahony, the Fenian. Galtee Castle was demolished c. 1940.
At the time of Griffith’s Valuation a house at Loughananna was occupied by James McGrath, valued at £10+ and situated on the Kingston estate. By 1906 the mansion house at Loughananna was valued at £50+ and Abel Buckley is recorded as the occupier.
Irish Historic Houses 