Coolamber Manor, Lisryan, County Longford

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. 89. “(Stanley, sub Tyndall/LG1952supp; Wingfield, sub Powerscourt, V/PB) A house of ca. 1820, by John Hargrave, of Cork; built for Major Blackall. Two storey, eaved roof; angle piers; front with bowed projection in centre and porch with slender pillars on one side. Attractive curved rooms. Subsequently the home of the Stanleys and eventually of Brig. A.D.R. Wingfield and Mrs Wingfield (nee Stanley). Sold ca 1960; now a rehabilitation centre.” 

Casey, Christine and Alistair Rowan. The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster. Penguin Books, London, 1993. 

p. 490. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/13401520/coolamber-manor-cloonshannagh-or-coolamber-manor-demesne-co-longford

Detached three-bay two-storey over basement country house, built c. 1830, having full-height three-bay segmental bowed projection to the centre of five-bay east elevation. Multiple-bay three-storey extensions to the southwest, added c. 1880. Later used as rehabilitation clinic, now in disuse. Later single-, two- and three-storey extensions to rear (south). Later single-bay open porch to the centre of the main elevation (north). Hipped natural slate roof , hidden behind raised parapet with eaves cornice and blocking course, having rendered chimneystacks with terracotta chimney pots. Painted lined-and-ruled rendered walls to front (north) and east elevations over moulded plinth course; snecked limestone masonry walls to rear and west elevations. Giant order pilasters to front façade, between bays and to the corners, and to east elevation, to corners and flanking bowed projection. Square-headed window openings with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows with painted limestone sills. Sill course to first floor openings (excluding bowed projection). Round-headed window opening to west elevation, lighting stair hall, having tripartite multi-pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed window openings to rear blocks having stone sills and timber sash or replacement windows. Square-headed door opening, behind recent porch, having overlight, timber panelled door, timber pilasters, and with flanking six-over-six timber sliding sash windows. Open porch comprises a pair of round-profile Doric-like columns supporting flat roof over having moulded cornice. Flight of limestone steps to entrance with cast-and-wrought-iron railings. Set back from road, on an elevated site, to the northeast of Edgeworthstown. Complex of outbuildings (13401521), walled garden (13401525) and ancillary structures to the northwest. Main entrance gateway to the southeast, at start of long approach avenue to house, comprising a pair of lined-and-ruled rendered gate piers (on square-plan) having garland devices on raised square panels to front faces (southeast), and with carved pineapple finals over. Gates now missing. Gateway flanked to either side by sweeping sections of rendered plinth boundary wall having cast-and wrought-iron railings and terminated in a second pair of piers. 

Appraisal 

This impressive country house is the finest of its date and type in County Longford. It is built in a late-Georgian/Regency classical idiom, and retains its early form, character and the majority of its early fabric despite the construction of a number of modern extensions to the rear. The Giant order pilasters between the bays of the two main facades, along with the very prominent eaves cornice and blocking course, lend this building a distinctive appearance that is reminiscent of a contemporary seaside villa that could be found in Dun Laoghaire, Monkstown etc. These giant pilasters add interest to the main façade, created a stepped profile that gives this facade a robust but surprising delicate architectural character. The full-height three-bay bow to the east elevation is another interesting architectural element that helps to add further visual impact when approaching the building along the main avenue, and creates an imposing and handsome silhouette in the landscape. The plan of this house is quite unusual with the stair hall to one side of the building (west), which is lit by an enormous round-headed window opening with tripartite timber sash windows. The house also retains many notable features and materials that enhance the building, including timber sash windows and cut limestone steps with ornate cast-iron railings to the entrance. This house was built to designs by the eminent architect John Hargrave (c. 1788 – 1833). Hargrave worked extensively in County Longford during the 1820s and was responsible for the designs for the governor’s house at Longford Town Jail in 1824 (13001036); works at Ardagh House in 1826 (13312039); the rebuilding of St. Paul’s Church of Ireland church at Newtown-Forbes (13303021); the remodelling of Castle Forbes (13303001), nearby Farragh/Farraghroe House (demolished); Doory Hall (13314005) now ruinous; St. Paul’s Church of Ireland church, Ballinalee (13304009); and possibly for the designs of St. Catherine’s Church of Ireland church (13400914) at nearby Killoe. This house was built for Major Samuel Wesley Blackhall (1809 – 1871), and may have replaced an earlier house associated with the Blackall family at Coolamber (a Robert Blackall (1764 – 1855), father of the above, lived in Longford in the late-eighteenth century). Major S. W. Blackall had a distinguished career, serving as High Sheriff of Longford in 1833 and later as MP for Longford between 1847 – 51. He served abroad after 1851, acting as Lieutenant-Governor of Dominca between 1851 – 57, Governor of Sierra Leone between 1862 – 65, and as Governor of Queensland, Australia, from 1868 until his death in 1871. Coolamber Manor was the home of a Major Robert Blackall in 1846 (Slater’s Directory), High Sheriff of Longford in 1859 – 61. It was later the home of the Stanley family (Burroughs Stanley in 1894) and then the Wingfield family. It was sold c. 1960 and was in use as a rehabilitation centre until recently. Coolamber Manor is an important element of the built heritage of County Longford and forms the centrepiece of a group of related structures along with the complex of outbuildings (13401521) and the walled garden and ancillary structures to the west. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/13401528/coolamber-manor-cloonshannagh-or-coolamber-manor-demesne-co-longford

Detached single-storey curvilinear green house associated with Coolamber Manor (13401520), built c. 1850. Constructed of small glass panes set in wrought-iron superstructure. Rendered brick plinth wall to front (southeast) having wrought-iron window openings over. Render walls on quadrant profile to either end (southwest and northeast). Coursed squared rubble limestone wall to rear (formerly part of walled garden) having red brick section over with segmental-headed window openings having remains of timber fittings; number of openings now blocked. Square-headed door opening to the rendered wall to the southwest end of green house having replacement glazed timber door. Cut stone coping over rear wall. Set in walled garden (on irregular-plan) associated with Coolamber Manor, laid out c. 1830, having coursed rubble stone walls, brick lined to the interior faces, having cut stone coping over a number of sections. Located to the west of Coolamber Manor (13401520) and to the south/southwest of complex of outbuildings (13401521). 

Appraisal 

This graceful curvilinear green/glass house associated with Coolamber Manor (13401520) retains its early form and character. Its construction in wrought-iron is of technical merit, and it survives in good condition despite being out of use. This green house probably dates to mid-to-late nineteenth century, and was built against the boundary wall of an existing walled garden, built c. 1830. This walled garden is solidly constructed using squared rubble stone masonry and has brick-lined walls to the interior to retain heat and promote growth of produce (orchard) for use in the main house to the east. This green house and the walled garden complex provide an interesting historical and social insight into the extensive resources needed to run and maintain a large country estate in Ireland during the nineteenth century. They form part of a wider collection of structures associated with Coolamber Manor, and are important elements of the built heritage of County Longford. 

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/13401521/coolamber-manor-cloonshannagh-or-coolamber-manor-demesne-co-longford

Complex of single- and two-storey stables and outbuildings associated with Coolamber Manor (13401520), built c. 1830 and extended c. 1880, comprising two adjoining courtyards of outbuildings/stable blocks, forming rectangle, with central carriages. Later in use as a rehabilitation clinic, with modern alterations. Now out of use. Complex to the east comprises two-bay single-storey range to east with hipped and pitched natural slate roof, pediment with cut stone detailing to west face. Coursed roughly dressed limestone masonry walls with roughly dressed flush quoins to the corners; painted plinth course. Square-headed window opening with limestone sill and replacement fittings. Square-headed door opening with replacement timber battened door having concrete ramp to entrance (west face). Section of roughly dressed limestone wall to the north end of outbuilding, having cut stone coping and an integral segmental-headed pedestrian entrance with dressed limestone voussoirs. Four-bay two-storey range to north having central pedimented bay with adjoining section of dressed limestone walling having integral segmental-headed carriage arch with double leaf spear headed cast-iron gates. Hipped natural slate roof. Snecked limestone masonry walls with painted plinth course. Brick blank roundel to pediment having dressed limestone surrounds. Square-headed openings with replacement windows having limestone sills. Segmental-headed carriage arch to pedimented bay with dressed limestone voussoirs and timber battened double doors. Five-bay two-storey range to south having hipped roof and central pedimented bay. Snecked limestone masonry walls with painted plinth course. Brick blank roundel to pediment having round-headed dressed limestone open work bellcote to rear. Square-headed window openings with replacement fittings having limestone sills. Round-headed door opening with replacement timber door. Segmental-headed carriage arches with dressed limestone voussoirs, now blocked up with window openings. Five-bay two-storey range to west with central pedimented bay having blank roundel with dressed limestone surround and hipped natural slate roof. Snecked limestone masonry walls with painted plinth course. Square-headed window openings with timber fittings and limestone sills. Square-headed door opening with timber battened door. Segmental-headed carriage arch with dressed limestone voussoirs leading to west complex of outbuildings. South range to west stables having five-bay two-storey elevation. Pitched natural slate roof with brick chimneystack, rubble limestone chimneystack and rendered chimneystack. Snecked limestone masonry walls with painted plinth course. Roundel openings with dressed limestone surrounds to first floor. Square-headed window opening with timber fittings and limestone sills. Square-headed opening with timber replacement door to first floor having flight of concrete steps to entrance. Triple arcade of segmental-headed carriage arches having dressed limestone voussoirs and timber replacement doors. Carriage arches to end bays now blocked up with inserted door and window openings. Square-headed entrance with cut limestone lintel having carved keystone and with timber battened door. Seven-bay two-storey range to north with pitched natural slate roof. Snecked limestone masonry walls with painted plinth course. Square-headed openings with replacement windows and having limestone sills. Roundel openings with dressed limestone surrounds to first floor. Square-headed openings with timber glazed replacement doorways having dressed limestone surrounds with carved keystones. Segmental-headed carriage arch with dressed limestone voussoirs having timber battened doors. Five-bay two-storey end range with dovecote to pedimented central bay. Hipped slate roof. Snecked limestone masonry walls with painted plinth course. Square-headed openings with replacement windows having cut limestone surrounds and sills. Square-headed opening to first floor with timber battened door having a flight of concrete steps with rendered parapet walls to entrance. Roundel opening to central pedimented bay with dressed limestone surround over segmental-headed carriage arch with dressed limestone voussoirs. Various ancillary buildings to site. Extensions to rear of end range. Located to the west of Coolamber Manor (13401520), in extensive mature grounds, to located to the northeast of Edgeworthstown. 

Appraisal 

This substantial complex of outbuilding, stables and ancillary structures forms an important element of the Coolamber Manor (13401520) demesne, and represent one of the finest examples of planned outbuildings buildings. These buildings largely retain their early form and character, despite some alterations to accommodate new uses during the late-twentieth century. The stables comprise an elegantly proportioned walled rectangle divided into two courtyards. The scale of this complex provides an interesting historical insight into the extensive resources required to run and maintain a large country estate in Ireland during the nineteenth century. High quality materials have been used in the construction of these outbuildings including fines dressed limestone detailing to the pediments, the bellcote and to many of the openings, and ornate cast-iron gates. The east complex is distinguished from the west outbuildings by the pedimented central bays decorated having dressed limestone roundel openings. These pedimented bays lends the west complex a muted classical architectural character that compliments the style of the main house to the east. The pediment to the north range, west complex, is particularly notable as it doubles as a dovecote and makes for an interesting and unusual feature. This complex was originally commissioned by Major S. W. Blackall and may have been originally built to designs by the architect of Coolamber Manor itself, John Hargrave (c. 1788 – 1833). It appears to have been extended something during the late-nineteenth century (Ordnance Survey map information). 

http://visitlongford.ie/listings/coolamber-hall-house/ 

Coolamber Hall House is fortified buildings similar to tower houses. They usually have a rectangular plan and are often two stories in height; their entrance is usually at first floor level and accessed by an external wooden or stone staircase. 

The Coolamber hall house is situated in north-east Longford, approximately 12KM from Edgeworthstown. The main building is two stories in height and has a long, rectangular plan. 

The building also has a four storey service tower to the south-east corner. The structure is located on a semi-circular platform which was once enclosed by a stone wall. Interestingly, a late-medieval church is situated to the north-west of the hall house, indicating the power and prestige the owners derived from their association with the church during the Middle Ages. 

The hall-house has the remains of a barrel-vault at its northern end at ground floor level. The south end is grass-covered and may conceal two other barrel-vaults. 

A doorway in the north-east corner gives access to the tower. A relieving arch located directly above the barrel-vault in the hall suggests that the service tower may be a later addition. Some architectural features remain which date it to the 16th century, including fireplaces and ogee-arched windows. 

Coolamber hall house was likely to have been the residence of Thomas Nugent, one of the commissioners for Plantation of Longford in 1620 under King James I. Historically, the site of the house was strategically important as it was at the boundary of the English Pale – the area under full control of the English Crown – in the 17th century and was actually besieged by Oliver Cromwell during his invasion of Ireland after 1649. 

The monument is on private property, and is in ruinous condition and therefore should not be entered. However, it is located next to the roadway and is highly visible from there 

http://lordbelmontinnorthernireland.blogspot.com/2014/09/coolamber-manor.html

THE BLACKALLS WERE MAJOR LANDOWNERS IN COUNTY LONGFORD, WITH 4,643 ACRES 

MAJOR ROBERT BLACKALL (d 1840), of the East India Company, was father of 

SAMUEL WENSLEY BLACKALL (1809-71),  High Sheriff of County Longford, 1833, Colonel, Royal Longford Militia, MP for Longford, 1847-5, Governor of Queensland, 1868-71, who married firstly, in 1833, Catherine Bowles; and secondly, in 1848, Catherine Bond, by whom he had issue, 

ADELAIDE BLACKALL, who wedded, in 1864, Captain the Hon Ernest Grey Lambton Cochrane, son of the 10th Earl of Dundonald, though she died several weeks later. 

COOLAMBER MANOR, near Lisryan, County Longford, is said to be the finest country house of its era and type in County Longford. 

It is built in a late-Georgian/Regency classical idiom, and retains its early form, character and the majority of its early fabric despite the construction of a number of modern extensions to the rear. 

The giant order pilasters between the bays of the two main façades, along with the very prominent eaves cornice and blocking course, lend this building a distinctive appearance that is reminiscent of a contemporary seaside villa. 

The giant pilasters add interest to the main façade, creating a stepped profile that gives this façade a robust but surprising delicate architectural character. 

The full-height three-bay bow to the east elevation is another interesting architectural element that helps to add further visual impact when approaching the building along the main avenue, and creates an imposing and handsome silhouette in the landscape. 

The plan of the house is quite unusual, with the stair hall to one side of the building (west), which is lit by an enormous round-headed window opening with tripartite timber sash windows. 

The house also retains many notable features and materials that enhance the building, including timber sash windows and cut limestone steps with ornate cast-iron railings to the entrance. 

Coolamber Manor was built to designs by the eminent architect John Hargrave, who worked extensively in County Longford during the 1820s. 

The house was built for Colonel Samuel Wesley Blackall (1809-71), though may have replaced an earlier house associated with the Blackalls (Major Robert Blackall, 1764-1855, father of the above, lived in Longford in the late-18th century). 

Cooamber subsequently became the home of the Stanley family (Burroughs Stanley in 1894); and thereafter the Wingfields. 

It was sold ca 1960 and was in use as a rehabilitation centre until recently. 

Extending to 15,255 square feet, the manor house is a three-bay, two-storey over basement residence, built in the late Georgian/Regency period. 

Adding to its distinctive appearance, the house retains many of its original features that include timber sash windows, cut limestone steps, and ornate cast-iron railings. 

Accommodation comprises four reception rooms, a large commercial kitchen and bakery, two gyms, billiards-room, two shower rooms and fourteen bedrooms. 

Accessed through an arch, the two cut stone courtyards have been well maintained over the years and are in excellent condition. 

These have been fully converted to include four training rooms, a number of two-bedroom apartments, laundry room, stables, tack room, and some lofted stores. 

Adjoining these is the farmyard which features a number of slatted and loose-bedded sheds, silage slabs, a disused dairy, and hay sheds. 

There are also two other bungalow residences on the property, both of which have their own access. 

The present estate includes good stables and 157 acres. 

It stands on its original splendour, to the front of Coolamber Wood, adorned by landscaped lawns and gardens, and a well kept farmyard.