Architectural Survey of N7 Castletown to Nenagh Road Scheme

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Architectural Survey

N7 Castletown - Nenagh
(Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme

Architectural Survey,
N7 Castletown - Nenagh
(Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme
Contract 1

March 2008

Client: Laois County Council,
Tipperary County Council,
Offaly County Council,
National Roads Authority

Direction Number A038

Written by: Alison McQueen Contact details:
The Forge
Innishannon, Co. Cork
Tel.: 021 4701616
Fax: 021 4701628
E-mail: info@eachtra.ie
Web Site: www.eachtra.ie

N7 Castletown to Nenagh, Architectural Survey

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................1

1.1 General ..............................................................................................................1

1.2 Location and Topography ..................................................................................1

1.3 Background to Road Scheme .............................................................................2

2. Methodology .......................................................................................................3

2.1 Field Inspection..................................................................................................3

2.2 Site-Specific Research .........................................................................................4

3. Architectual Recording ........................................................................................8

3.1 General ..............................................................................................................8

3.2 AH65: Derelict Smithy ......................................................................................8

3.3 AH 63: Western entrance, avenue and boundary of Lissanisky Demesne. .........12

3.4 AH 58: Derelict farmhouse and vernacular complex at Clash. ...........................15

3.5 AH 57: Boundary to farm at Clash ..................................................................25

3.6 AH 51: Two-storey house and outbuildings at Park. ..........................................27

3.7 AH 45: Country house (no longer extant), derelict outbuildings, courtyards
marked on first edition OS map and some 19th century structures at Greenhills.33
3.8 AH 43: Stone wall associated with a road marked on first edition OS map at
Busherstown......................................................................................................51
3.9 Moatquarter: Present road is on a raised causeway and a semi-circular arched
bridge. ...............................................................................................................53
3.10 Castleroan: Standing ruin in vegetation along south side of road. ......................56

4. Conclusions & Recommendations ...................................................................... 59

5. Glossary .............................................................................................................. 61

6. References ...........................................................................................................67

7. Acknowledgements .............................................................................................71

8 Figures ................................................................................................................72

9 Plates ................................................................................................................. 101

10 Appendix 1: Table of Cultural Heritage Sites of Architectural Interest .............. 185

11 Appendix 2: NIAH ............................................................................................ 186

Eachtra Archaeological Projects iii


List of Figures
Figure 1: Location of the nine study sites along the proposed route....................................... 72
Figure 2a: Location of the nine study sites along the proposed route. .................................... 73
Figure 2b: Location of the nine study sites along the proposed route..................................... 74
Figure 2c: Location of the nine study sites along the proposed route. .................................... 75
Figure 3: Extract from first edition OS map showing the smithy (AH65). ............................ 76
Figure 4: Extract from second edition OS map showing the smithy (AH65). ........................ 77
Figure 5: Extract from first edition OS map showing Lissanisky entrance (AH63). .............. 78
Figure 6: Extract from second edition OS map showing Lissanisky entrance (AH63). .......... 79
Figure 7: Sketch plan of Lissanisky entrance (AH63). ........................................................... 80
Figure 8: Extract from first edition OS map showing vernacular complex (AH58). ............... 81
Figure 9: Extract from second edition OS map showing vernacular complex (AH58). .......... 82
Figure 10: Detail from 25inch OS map showing vernacular complex (AH58). ...................... 83
Figure 11: Sketch plan of farmhouse (AH58: B1). ................................................................. 84
Figure 12: Sketch plan of shed and barn (AH58: B3). ........................................................... 85
Figure 13: Extract from first edition OS map showing house and complex (AH51)............... 86
Figure 14: Extract from second edition OS map showing house and complex (AH51). ......... 87
Figure 15: Detail from 25inch OS map showing house and complex (AH51). ....................... 88
Figure 16: Sketch plan of cow house/stables (AH 51:B2) ....................................................... 89
Figure 17: Extract from first edition OS map showing house and complex (AH45)............... 90
Figure 18: Extract from second edition OS map showing house and complex (AH45). ......... 91
Figure 19: Detail from first edition OS map showing house and complex (AH45). ............... 92
Figure 20: Detail from 25” OS map showing house and complex (AH45). ........................... 93
Figure 21: Sketch plan of Herdsman’s House (B1). ................................................................ 94
Figure 22: Sketch plan of Engine House (B2). ...................................................................... 95
Figure 23: Photogrammetry of walled garden (B3)................................................................ 96
Figure 24: Aerial Photo of walled garden (AH45). ................................................................ 97
Figure 25: Extract from first edition OS map showing old road (AH 43) and Bridge. ........... 98
Figure 26: Extract from first edition OS map showing ruin. ................................................. 99
Figure 27: Sketch plan of ruin. ............................................................................................. 100

Copyright Notice: Please note that all original information contained within this report, including
all original drawings, photographs, text and all other printed matter deemed to be the writer’s,
remains the property of the writer and Eachtra Archaeological Projects and so may not be reproduced
or used in any form without the written consent of the writer or Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

Eachtra Archaeological Projects iv


List of Plates
Plate 1: From WNW. West gable of smithy ........................................................................ 101
Plate 2: From E. East gable of smithy. .................................................................................. 101
Plate 3: From S. Front of smithy covered by existing N7 (between ranging rod and wall). ... 102
Plate 4: From W. Close-up of uncoursed rubble of west gable wall. ...................................... 102
Plate 5: From N. View of rear of smithy covered in dense overgrowth.................................. 103
Plate 6: From WNW. Entrance to Lissanisky House with avenue in background. ............... 103
Plate 7: From SSW. Outer angle of squared quoins on northern side of entrance. ................ 104
Plate 8: From WNW. Pier at southern side of entrance with avenue in background. ............ 104
Plate 9: From S. Plain capstone on southern pillar of entrance. ............................................ 105
Plate 10: From WNW. Pier at northern side of entrance with disused hanging eye. ............. 105
Plate 11: From NE. Front elevation of vernacular farmhouse. .............................................. 106
Plate 12: From NE. Two-storey extension adjoining east gable of farmhouse. ...................... 106
Plate 13: From S. Surviving window shutters of farmhouse. ................................................. 107
Plate 14: From S. Small one-over-one vertical sliding sash window in rear elevation. .......... 107
Plate 15: From NW. Remnants of farmhouse roof................................................................ 108
Plate 16: From SW. Wide chimney stack of pale yellow brick on west gable of farmhouse. .. 108
Plate 17: From ENE. Eastern gable of two-storey addition. .................................................. 109
Plate 18: From NE. Roof of two-storey addition. ................................................................. 109
Plate 19: : From E. Collapsed first floor level. ....................................................................... 110
Plate 20: From N. Scar in lobby wall indicating location of staircase. ................................. 110
Plate 21: From N. Interior walls rendered, plastered and painted. ...................................... 111
Plate 22: From WNW. Blocked-up, kitchen fireplace in the east gable wall of farmhouse. .. 111
Plate 23: From S. Interior of front ground floor window embrasure of addition. .................. 112
Plate 24: From W. Small brick fireplace in centre of east gable of addition. .......................... 112
Plate 25: From W. Wall press adjacent to north of fireplace in addition................................ 113
Plate 26: From NE. Front elevation of barn and addition. ................................................... 113
Plate 27: From SE. Rear elevation of barn. ........................................................................... 114
Plate 28: From W. Drystone buttress. .................................................................................. 114
Plate 29: From NE. Remains of front of addition................................................................. 115
Plate 30: From NW. Front of barn and addition and also showing buttress and crush. ........ 115
Plate 31: From SE. Front elevation of shed. .......................................................................... 116

Eachtra Archaeological Projects v


Plate 32: From SE. Detail of square window with wooden frames. ...................................... 116
Plate 33: From NW. Rear elevation of shed. ......................................................................... 117
Plate 34: From NE. Gable with loft door opening. .............................................................. 117
Plate 35: From NW. Rear wall of barn. ................................................................................ 118
Plate 36: From SE: Exterior of elliptical opening blocked with mass concrete. ..................... 118
Plate 37: From NW. Interior of elliptical opening blocked on exterior by earthen debris. ..... 119
Plate 38: From W. Interior showing collapsed section of front elevation. .............................. 119
Plate 39: From SW. Remains of a door opening in the south-west gable. ............................. 120
Plate 40: From NE. Modern sawn timbers indicating roof re-fit. ........................................ 120
Plate 41: From SE. Underside of roof slate lain directly on top of modern timbers ............... 121
Plate 42: From S. Poor condition of barn showing roof, walls and build up of debris & ivy. 121
Plate 43: From SW. Modern milking parlour adjacent to north of farmhouse (B1). ............. 122
Plate 44: From SSE. Boundary wall to east of farmyard. ...................................................... 122
Plate 45: From ESE. Stone stile on the exterior of boundary wall. ........................................ 123
Plate 46: From S. Mason’s mark ‘Meagher _ _21’ on cement plaque (broken) on wall.......... 123
Plate 47: From NW. Front elevation. .................................................................................... 124
Plate 48: From NW. Detail of brick quoins.......................................................................... 124
Plate 49: From WSW. South-west gable. .............................................................................. 125
Plate 50: From SE. rear elevation. ........................................................................................ 125
Plate 51: From W. Open concrete water tank abutting south-west gable. ............................. 126
Plate 52: From W. Pillared pedestrian entrance with cast iron gate & wrought detail. ......... 126
Plate 53: From NE. Mass concrete garage/machinery port. .................................................. 127
Plate 54: From ESE. Front elevation. ................................................................................... 127
Plate 55: From WNW. Remains of roof ridge of adjoining building (now demolished). ....... 128
Plate 56: From NNW. Rear of outbuilding showing roof..................................................... 128
Plate 57: From SW. Interior showing dividing wall, slit opening and drinking trough. ........ 129
Plate 58: From SW. Replacement roof structure. .................................................................. 129
Plate 59: From NNW. Front and side elevations of concrete animal housing. ...................... 130
Plate 60: From SW. SW-elevation of rubble stone. ............................................................... 130
Plate 61: From NW. NW-elevation of concrete and later openings....................................... 131
Plate 62: From SE. Rubble stone dividing wall within interior. ............................................ 131
Plate 63: From SSE. Area of former cattle stalls/milking parlour (disused). .......................... 132
Plate 64: From NW. Front elevation. ................................................................................... 132

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Plate 65: From NE. Gable-end wall ..................................................................................... 133
Plate 66: From SE. Rear elevation and engaged round pillar. ............................................... 133
Plate 67: From NE. Interior showing original rubble walls and concrete addition to height. 134
Plate 68: From NW. Adjoining shed of similar construction and modifications. .................. 134
Plate 69: From E. Surviving buildings (B1 and B2) on the former Greenhills estate............. 135
Plate 70: From E. Front and side view of house in 1908 (Photo courtesy of Edward Fanning©). .
135
Plate 71: From WSW. Rear and side view of house c. 2000 (Edward Fanning ©). ............... 136
Plate 72: From SE. SE-elevation of house c. 2000 (Edward Fanning ©). ............................. 136
Plate 73: From SE Area of former house. .............................................................................. 137
Plate 74: From SW. Vista from former house overlooking area of former cricket ground. ..... 137
Plate 75: From W. Old blocks of former house. .................................................................... 138
Plate 76: From NE. Front elevation of dwelling (B1). ........................................................... 138
Plate 77: From NE. Front elevation showing truncated first floor window openings. ........... 139
Plate 78: From NE. Close view of masonry. ......................................................................... 139
Plate 79: From NE. Left window opening reduced in size to facilitate modern frame. ......... 140
Plate 80: From NE. Truncated wall top and windows at first floor level............................... 140
Plate 81: From SSE. SE-gable and openings. ........................................................................ 141
Plate 82: From SE. Door opening in SE-gable. .................................................................... 141
Plate 83: From SE. Cast-iron hanging eye and vertical cast iron pintle with decorative detail.142
Plate 84: From SSW. Red brick chimney flue in rear elevation. ............................................ 142
Plate 85: From NW. NW-gable and features. ....................................................................... 143
Plate 86: From SSW. Rear pitch of roof................................................................................ 143
Plate 87: From SE. Tools house in room on ground floor. .................................................... 144
Plate 88: From NE. Small cast iron tools. ............................................................................ 144
Plate 89: From SSE. Slight projection in centre of rear wall and scar of blocked fireplace..... 145
Plate 90: From SE. Joists and underside of first floor boards. ............................................... 145
Plate 91: From NE. Half-turn, open staircase....................................................................... 146
Plate 92: From NE. Scar of former closed string. ................................................................. 146
Plate 93: From SW. Possible area of former cupboard on first floor landing. ........................ 147
Plate 94: From N. First floor ceiling respecting line of A-frame roof structure. .................... 147
Plate 95: From NW. Scar of former partition wall dividing room. ....................................... 148
Plate 96: From N. Breached ceiling exposing roof structure and modern repairs.................. 148
Plate 97: From SW. Breached ceiling exposing roof structure and modern repairs. .............. 149

Eachtra Archaeological Projects vii


Plate 98: From NNW. Freshly sawn roof timbers and reuse of old timbers as tie beams. ..... 149
Plate 99: From NW. Interior of door opening into north-west room, at top of staircase. ...... 150
Plate 100: From NE. Scar of blocked fireplace in rear wall, first floor. ................................. 150
Plate 101: From ENE. Fireplace surround from main house. ............................................... 151
Plate 102: From NE. Original front door frame of former main house. ............................... 151
Plate 103: From NE. Decayed red brick of front door jamb. ................................................ 152
Plate 104: From NE. Guano on staircase and first floor landing. ......................................... 152
Plate 105: From ESE. Best view of front elevation of engine house (B2). .............................. 153
Plate 106: From SE. Central ground floor window opening with brick arch and jambs. ...... 153
Plate 107: From S. SW-gable and features. ........................................................................... 154
Plate 108: From SSW. Blocked up ground floor doorway in SW-gable. ................................ 154
Plate 109: From SSW. Consolidation work on SW-gable using mass concrete. ..................... 155
Plate 110: From NW. Rear elevation. ................................................................................... 155
Plate 111: From NW. Wrought iron gate on rear elevation (not in-situ). ............................... 156
Plate 112: From E. NE-gable with large quoins evident. ...................................................... 156
Plate 113: From NE. Broken wall at NW-end of NE-gable. ................................................. 157
Plate 114: From N. Low remains of the rear wall of the square courtyard. ........................... 157
Plate 115: From NE. Open plan interior of engine house. .................................................... 158
Plate 116: From NW. Interior of wide door opening in front elevation – note wooden lintel.158
Plate 117: From SW. Truncated stump of former vertical support. ....................................... 159
Plate 118: From NE. Exposed stone and mass concrete repair, first floor level, SW-gable. .... 159
Plate 119: From S. Principal A-frame rafter with a main tie beam holding centre of roof. .... 160
Plate 120: From SW. Lower end of principal rafter set into masonry near wall top. ............. 160
Plate 121: From SE. Series of rafters, purlins and battens forming a lattice pattern. ............. 161
Plate 122: From SE. Breach in first floor timbers. ................................................................ 161
Plate 123: From ESE. Northern area of the walled garden fenced off within the LMA. ....... 162
Plate 124: From SSE. Northern area of walled garden within LMA – note recent breach. ... 162
Plate 125: From NW. Interior of former walled garden, now pasture. .................................. 163
Plate 126: From NE. Portion of exterior showing rubble construction. ................................ 163
Plate 127: From SW. Double-faced limestone wall with exposed rubble core. ...................... 164
Plate 128: From NE. Exterior of wall in area of farmyard area (Z) and blocked ventilation slits...
164
Plate 129: From SW. Concrete stanchion. ............................................................................ 165
Plate 130: From N. Rounded corner at north turning into farmyard area (Z). ..................... 165

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Plate 131: From SW. Interior of arch in north-east wall. ...................................................... 166
Plate 132: From SW. Exterior of arch in south-west wall. ..................................................... 166
Plate 133: From SW. Blocked pedestrian entrance in north-east wall. .................................. 167
Plate 134: From SW. Niche of former hot house. ................................................................. 167
Plate 135: From E. Pedestrian entrance near centre of south-west wall. ............................... 168
Plate 136: From NE. Small cast iron gate at pedestrian entrance in south-west wall. ........... 168
Plate 137: From NE. Blocked window opening. ................................................................... 169
Plate 138: From NE. Blocked door opening ......................................................................... 169
Plate 139: From SE. Interior of low wall enclosing farmyard area (Z). .................................. 170
Plate 140: From NW. Single circular pier indicates a former pillared entrance. .................... 170
Plate 141: From SW. Large breach in south-west wall of former garden. .............................. 171
Plate 142: From NW. Rubble stone buttress reinforcing north-east wall. ............................. 171
Plate 143: From NE. Area of former pond – note engine house to rear. ............................... 172
Plate 144: From N. Remains of old road survive as disused, sunken trackway. ..................... 172
Plate 145: From E. Drystone retaining wall defining sides of trackway. ................................ 173
Plate 146: From S. Eastern side of the trackway within the LMA recently disturbed. .......... 173
Plate 147: From E. Western side of the trackway along disturbed area is in-situ. ................. 174
Plate 148: From E. General view of former cross roads (to rear of parapet wall of bridge)..... 174
Plate 149: From NNW. View of former crossroads from bridge crossing. ............................. 175
Plate 150: From ESE. Area of pasture where former graveyard road extended from crossroads. ....
175
Plate 151: From NW. North side of bridge showing arch, extrados and parapet wall. ........... 176
Plate 152: From S. Semi-circular arch and silhouette............................................................ 176
Plate 153: From N. Skewed semi-circular arch on north side of bridge. ................................ 177
Plate 154: From NE. Intrados of arch. ................................................................................. 177
Plate 155: From NE. The retaining wall of the causeway and the parapet wall above. ......... 178
Plate 156: From W. Modern repair work adjoining stone wall on approach from north route178
Plate 157: From NNE. Parapet wall adjacent arch on N side breached and fallen outwards. 179
Plate 158: From N. Missing stones on intrados of arch. ........................................................ 179
Plate 159: From NW. Masonry missing from springing of arch on E side. ........................... 180
Plate 160: From ESE. Interior of main structure covered in overgrowth. ............................. 180
Plate 161: From NW. Main structure from exterior showing surviving rear wall and quoins.181
Plate 162: From NNE. Rear wall of main structure. ............................................................ 181
Plate 163: From WSW. Oblique view of front elevation of adjoining structure. ................... 182

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Plate 164: From W. Interior of adjoining structure. .............................................................. 182
Plate 165: From NNW. Interior of adjoining structure with mass concrete of door opening. 183
Plate 166: From WNW. Exposed wall top of adjoining structure. ....................................... 183
Plate 167: From NNE. Rear wall of main structure with mortar leached out. ...................... 184

Eachtra Archaeological Projects x


i Summary

Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the Na-
tional Roads Authority to undertake archaeological works along 17.1 km (Contact 1) of the
35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme (EIS
approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the eastern junction of the present N7
Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-Castletown scheme to
the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is approximately 191 hectares.
Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castleroan
passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The DoEHLG Direc-
tion Number is A038.

The nine areas of Architectural Heritage (AH) are as follows:
AH 65 Remains of derelict early 19th century Smithy at Derrybane.
AH 63 Western entrance, avenue and boundary of Lissanisky Demesne.
AH 58 Derelict farmhouse, outbuilding, shed and barn at Clash.
AH 67 Boundary to farm at Clash.
AH 51 Two-storey house with contemporary outbuildings at Park.
AH 45 Country house (no longer extant), derelict outbuildings, courtyards marked on first edition
OS map and some 19th century structures at Greenhills.
AH 43 Stone wall associated with a road marked on first edition OS map at Busherstown.
Bridge Present road on a raised causeway and a semi-circular arched bridge at Moatquarter.
Ruin Standing ruin in vegetation along south side of road at Castleroan.

All of the sites are of local architectural and historical interest. They were the subject of a Level
1 and/or Level 2 architectural survey. The built heritage study was undertaken in two phases.
The first phase involved a field inspection of the nine areas. The second phase comprised of
site-specific research of all available archaeological, architectural, historical and cartographic
sources of the nine study areas

.

ii Acknowledgements
The architectural survey was undertaken by Alison McQueen. The senior archaeologist
was John Tierney and the post-excavation manager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations are
by Ben Blakeman and compilation by Robin Turk. The project was commissioned by
Laois County Council and was funded the National Roads Authority under the National
Development Plan (2000-2006). The project archaeologist was Niall Roycroft.

Eachtra Archaeological Projects 1


1. Introduction

1.1 General

The following report details a survey undertaken to record the architectural components and
features of importance of nine study areas along the route of the proposed N7 Castletown to
Nenagh road scheme (Contract 1, West) (Figures 1 and 2). The study also sought to ascertain
any phasing of construction that may be evident i.e. various extensions, additions or modi-
fications to the various properties which have been carried out over time. Cartographic and
documentary research was also carried out in order to provide a date range of the original
construction and any subsequent additions.

A total of 15 architectural heritage sites were identified in the EIS over the area covered by
Contract 1. Six of these sites were modern and were surveyed by Niall Roycroft, Project
Archaeologist. The remaining nine areas of Architectural Heritage (AH) interest form the
study.

The study site of Lissanisky House and associated features are listed in the Record of Pro-
tected Structures (RPS) of the Tipperary North County Development Plan 2004-2010 (RPS
No. S258) and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage for County Tipperary. In-
clusion in the RPS affords the house and the pillared entrance statutory protection under the
Planning and Development Acts 2000-2002.

This report has been carried out in advance of construction of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh
road scheme (Contract 1, West). At an earlier stage of the design process, the EIS envisaged
that either all or part of these study sites would be physically impacted upon during the
course of the road construction works. As a result, the nine study sites are the subject of either
a Level 1 or Level 2 architectural survey as directed by the NRA Project Archaeologist (Ap-
pendix 1).

1.2 Location and Topography

Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from the townlands of Clash-
nevin to Castleroan passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions.



The landscape at the western end of the scheme consists of gently rolling land between 80m
OD and 160m OD with glacial drift over solid bedrock. The Ollatrim River forms the
boundary between the townlands of Clash and Park

1.3 Background to Road Scheme

Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the Na-
tional Roads Authority to undertake Advanced Archaeological Works along 17.1km (Con-
tact 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road
scheme (EIS approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the Eastern junction of the
present N7 Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-Castletown
scheme to the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is approximately 191
hectares.



2. Methodology
The built heritage study was undertaken in two phases. The first phase involved a field in-
spection of the nine areas of architectural interest where all relevant aspects of the individual
structures and their close environs were inspected. The field survey was carried out within
the bounds of and with due regard to health and safety at all times. The second phase com-
prised of site-specific research of all available archaeological, architectural, historical and car-
tographic sources of the nine study areas.

2.1 Field Inspection

Preliminary site inspections of all nine study areas were carried out in October 2007. The
individual field inspections were carried out in November 2007. A third and final field in-
spection was carried out in February 2008 at Greenhills, County Tipperary with landowner
Edward Fanning.

Field inspection is necessary to determine the full architectural nature of each individual
building at each of the nine study sites, by recording the architectural components and fea-
tures of importance to their construction. The study also sought to ascertain any phasing of
construction that may be evident i.e. various extensions, additions or modifications of the
structures, if any, since their erection. The extent and nature of any surviving archaeological
and/or historical features, where they exist, were also noted. Cartographic and documentary
research was also carried out in order to provide a date range of the original construction
and any subsequent additions, where possible. In summary, the field inspection involved the
following:

(i) An architectural account of each structure in order to record the key architectural
components of its construction. Phasing of each structure will also be studied closely
in order to ascertain any extensions, additions or modifications carried out over time.

(ii) The nature, extent and locations of any surviving archaeological fabric within the
structures, particularly those proposed for demolition. This is based on an external and
internal inspection, (where physically possible), of each structure.

(iii) Photographic survey (exterior and interior, where possible), annotated maps, drawings
etc. are included in the survey report, where deemed relevant.
The results of the architectural survey are detailed in Section 4 of this report.



2.2 Site-Specific Research

This study determines, as far as reasonably possible from existing records, the architectural
nature of each structure. Any additional archaeological and historical resources deemed rel-
evant to the study sites were also consulted. The research aim is to provide an architectural
appraisal of each study site, which identifies the likely character, extent, quality and worth in
perspective with the wider built heritage resource.

The site-specific research is a document search of the following resources which were exam-
ined for Counties Offaly and Tipperary North Riding in relation to the respective study areas
within each:

• County Development Plans

• National Inventory of Architectural Heritage

• Record of Monuments and Places

• Archaeological Inventory Series

• Griffith Valuation – ‘Primary Valuation of Tenements’

• Irish Wills Index

• Cartographic and written sources

County Development Plans of Counties Offaly and Tipperary contain a catalogue of all
the protected sites and structures within their county. This was consulted in order to ascer-
tain if any of the structures or associated structures are included in the Record of Protected
Structures (RPS).

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) records a representative sample of
buildings and structures of architectural importance on a county by county basis. Inclusion
in the NIAH does not automatically afford statutory protection, but does highlight an im-
portance of these structures in terms of their architectural and built heritage value. At present
there is an NIAH produced for 15 counties in Ireland and one each for Cork and Limerick
Cities. The fieldwork for the NIAH for Counties Offaly and Tipperary North Riding was
carried out in 2004, producing the subsequent published inventories. In addition to the pub-
lications, the NIAH information can also be consulted online.



Record of Monuments and Places is a list of archaeological sites whose precise location is
known by the National Monuments Section of the DEHLG. These archaeological sites can
also include items of built heritage, such as medieval and post-medieval structures. The post-
medieval period generally applies to sites which
are post-1700’s in date and can include items such as bridges, vernacular dwellings and period
style country houses etc. Files relating to these known sites are available for consultation in
the Sites and Monuments Record, which provides detail of documentary sources and field
inspections where these have taken place.

Archaeological Inventory Series contains concise descriptions of archaeological sites and
monuments. Upstanding monuments of built heritage value of both the medieval and post-
medieval period are included in the inventory. This is researched in order to ascertain if any
items of archaeological or built heritage were within the study area or if the study site was
included. The archaeological inventories for County Offaly and for Tipperary North Riding
are published.

Cartographic sources are important in tracing land use development as well as providing
important topographical information on sites and areas of archaeological potential. Carto-
graphic analysis of all relevant maps has been made to identify phasing of the existing bridge
and/or the extent of previous structures on the site.

The list of maps consulted are as follows:

• Taylor and Skinner’s road maps 1783

• Ordnance Survey 1st edition six-inch map 1840-41
• Ordnance Survey 2nd edition six-inch map 1904

• Record of Monuments and Places Map (Reduced OS six-inch 2nd edition)

• N7 Castletown-Nenagh Scheme, Archaeological Contract 1, 2006.

Taylor and Skinner’s Road maps of Ireland 1783

These were the first set of road maps for Ireland surveyed in 1777, originally published in
1778 and with revisions until 1783. They were Commissioned by the House of Commons
in Ireland and surveyed by George Taylor and Andrew Skinner. These maps depict many
topographical features of interest to archaeologists, such as the layout and general extent of



nucleated settlement along these roads, individual estate houses and associated family names,
mills, churches, hills and farmland. These maps were a huge achievement for their day and
remain an essential research tool for the late 18th century.

Griffith’s Valuation is technically known as the Primary Valuation of Tenements and was
completed in Ireland under the direction of Richard Griffith between 1847 and 1864. This
nationwide survey was undertaken to assess payment of various local taxes by the people of
Ireland. Tax was calculated based on the value of property occupied (Byrne 2004, 140). These
records are important as the 19th century census in Ireland is thought to have been destroyed
when the Public Records Office was burnt down in 1922. The Griffith Valuation is therefore
a census substitute for mid-19th century Ireland in the years between the Great Famine and
the beginning of civil registration in 1864. Griffith’s Valuation of Counties Offaly and Tip-
perary was completed in 1855 and 1853 respectively (ibid, 142).

The Irish Wills Index (1484-1858) is preserved in the National Archives of Ireland. The
main records (not the indexes) were sent to the Principal Registry in the Four Courts, Dublin
after 1858, where they were destroyed by a fire in 1922 (Byrne 2004, 327). Fortunately, ex-
tracts from wills were compiled in the 19th century by Sir William Betham and an extensive
collection of wills have also been assembled by the National Archives, courtesy of solicitors’
offices throughout the state (ibid).

Documentary Sources were consulted to gain background information on the historical,
archaeological and architectural landscape of the study site. Research includes the Ordnance
Survey Name Books (OSNB), written in tandem with the survey of the first edition six inch
maps of 1841-2 (engraved 1844). They provide information about townland names and other
named features of architectural, archaeological and topographical importance, which appear
on the first edition maps. The detail given on each subject appears to depend very much upon
the recorders interest..

The OS Name books, OS Letters and OS Memoirs are all three separate books that deal with
similar subjects with a variation in detail. The OS Letters give information on archaeologi-
cal sites, local facts of interest and the weather but they are less detailed for the counties that
were surveyed last. The Memoirs are similar to the letters but sometimes have more detailed
information. The Memoirs only exist for some counties as the rest were destroyed during the
civil war. There are no surviving Memoirs for Counties Offaly or Tipperary. The entries are
arranged by parish in all three books and in alphabetical order of each townland therein.



3. Architectual Recording

3.1 General

The corridor of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road scheme (contract 1, west) will have a
severe impact upon nine cultural heritage areas of architectural importance which comprise
of 20 individual structures (Appendix 1). These were identified in the Environmental Impact
Statement (2005) and will be removed during the construction process of the road scheme.
In order to preserve the existence of these structures by record, the Environmental Impact
Statement requires that architectural recording is carried out for each site, prior to being dis-
mantled. The nine cultural heritage areas of Architectural Heritage (AH) interest which form
the study are as follows:

• AH 65: Remains of derelict early 19th century Smithy at Derrybane.
• AH 63: Western entrance, avenue and boundary of Lissanisky Demesne.

• AH 58: Derelict farmhouse, outbuilding, shed and barn at Clash.

• AH 57: Boundary to farm at Clash.

• AH 51: Two-storey house with contemporary outbuildings at Park.

• AH 45: Country house (no longer extant), derelict outbuildings, courtyards marked
on first edition OS map and some 19th century structures at Greenhills.
• AH 43: Stone wall associated with a road marked on first edition OS map at
Busherstown.
• Moatquarter: Present road on a raised causeway and a semi-circular arched bridge.

• Castleroan: Standing ruin in vegetation along south side of road.

The following accounts describe the existing layout of the structures which form the study
sites, their location and any features noted during the field inspection.

3.2 AH65: Derelict Smithy

Location

The upstanding remains of a derelict smithy at Derrybane (Ch. 900) are located within a
small paddock, which is in the south-west corner of a small field. The smithy abuts the line of



the existing N7 to south and is just outside the present LMA, where the existing N7 ties into
the Nenagh bypass of the 1990s. A five-bay, single storey dwelling is located within the plot
adjacent to west and a modern house is to east. Nenagh town is situated c. 4km to west.

Description (Figures 3 and 4)

The upstanding remains of the derelict smithy comprise of the partial gable walls and scant
remains of the front and rear elevations. The remains are covered in dense overgrowth and
most of the surviving wall fabric is choked with ivy. The west gable (H c. 2.8m) is top heavy
with ivy and most of the east gable (H c. 1.7m) has fallen (plates 1 and 2). The rear elevation
(H c. 0.6m) has completely collapsed and exists as a linear pile of rubble, which is impassable
due to dense overgrowth. The front elevation (H c. 0.7m) would have faced the N7 prior to
widening during road modifications associated with the construction of the Nenagh bypass.
These road modifications involved widening the N7 so that it was abutting the front elevation
of the smithy and raising it (H c. 1.0m) above the existing ground level, covering most of the
front façade (plate 3). The smithy had probably already been derelict for many decades by this
time, given its current state of preservation.

At present there is a narrow grass covered margin (Wth 2.6m) between the road metal and
the surviving wall top of the front façade of the smithy. A partially covered gateway abutting
the roadside boundary to south, adjacent the west gable may have been the original entrance
into the small paddock containing the smithy.

The wall fabric comprised of a double face of rubble limestone with roughly hewn blocks vis-
ible as quoins on the north-west corner. From the small portions of gable wall visible, there is
no visible attempt of coursing (plate 4). The core of the wall has been filled with much smaller
pieces of rubble limestone, which has been exposed to the elements in places, where there is
no ivy cover. The stone is bonded with a medium coarse lime mortar.

The interior of the smithy was inaccessible due to the fact that the front façade has been cov-
ered by the existing N7 and secondly dense overgrowth and wooden pallets cover the rear
wall prohibiting access (plate 5). The internal layout and location of fireplaces was therefore
not possible to ascertain.



Condition

The structure seems to have been roofless for many decades allowing rainwater to enter the
exposed wall tops and wash out the mortar in the upper courses. This water ingress has
caused gaps to form between the stones, which is most evident in the upper courses of the
limestone facing and is therefore constantly weakening the remains of the surviving walls
over time. Further weakening the wall is the top heavy growth of ivy on the gable walls.

Historical Background

The townland name of Derrybane derives from the Irish ‘Doire Bán’ meaning ‘White Derry’
or ‘Oak wood’, (O’Flannagan 1930, 241). According to the OS Name Books, the townland
was primarily under cultivation during the production of the first edition OS map (ibid). The
south side of the townland is bounded by the road leading from Nenagh to Moneygall on
which there is a mile stone 72 miles to Dublin, 13 miles to Roscrea and 3 to Nenagh (ibid).
Derrybane is depicted on the OS maps as being a relatively small townland on the northern
side of the Nenagh to Moneygall road. According to Griffith (1853, 21) the smallest plot with
a building recorded in this townland would relate to the area of the Smithy. The Valuation
Office House Books (1848, vol. 1796, 14) do not mention a smithy within this townland,
however three piggeries are mentioned. The Griffith Valuation Books (1853, 21) state that
Patrick Coffey leased a house, office and garden to Richard Hartnett. The total land area was
1 rood and 1 perch and was valued at 4s (ibid). The buildings (house and office) were valued
at 16s indicating that something productive may have been carried out on the premises and
possibly involving machinery. The total valuation of this small property was £1 which is com-
paratively greater than some of the nearby properties of similar size. Given the fact that no
smithy is mentioned in either valuation record, the building may have had a different purpose
prior to being a smithy in the later 19th century.

Smithy’s are essentially relics of an older agrarian order, being the workplace of a smith or
blacksmith. They were integrated into rural economic and social life from at least the eight-
eenth century and continued in use throughout the nineteenth and earlier part of the twen-
tieth centuries. They were scattered around the countryside, normally at roadside locations,
but more frequently at crossroads (Aalen et al 2000, 170). The main function of a smithy or
forge was the shoeing of horses and production of metal fittings for various items of horse
harnessing. A blacksmith who specialises in shoeing horses is known as a farrier. The smithy
at Derrybane is quite a small structure and may have been solely a farrier’s workshop. Metal
farm implements of small to medium size, were also in demand and blacksmiths in general



were often known for making wrought iron gates, railings, furniture, tools, cooking utensils
and weapons.

The basic smithy contains a forge which is another term for the hearth. A forge heats metals at
extremely high temperatures in order that they can be melted into a malleable material. Tongs
move the smolten metal from the forge to the anvil for shaping with the hammer. A slack tub
cools the final work piece in a large body of water before it is ready to use. In the case of Der-
rybane, it is likely that the portable objects within the forge were removed, however, had the
interior been accessible, it is likely that the forge would have been easily recognisable.

Unfortunately smithy’s have become obsolete as the modernisation of the twentieth century
evolved. The turning point may have been the end of World War II, when a decline in metal
working ensued and horse power was replaced by motor power. Once disused, these build-
ings were primarily demolished to reuse the stone or neglected and fell into irreversible decay.
Those that survive and have been reused tend to have been better built and some feature the
distinctive horse-shoe shaped entrance which is an attractive feature.

Cartographic Analysis

A rectangular building is depicted on the northern side of the main Dublin-Limerick road
within a small L-shaped paddock, on the first edition OS map. This structure is set back
slightly from the road and a second, much smaller building is perpendicular close to south,
at the eastern end. The south gable of the smaller building abuts the main road on this early
19th century map so it is likely to have been removed during the widening of the N7 during
the 1990s.

The second edition [1904] OS map shows two separate buildings at the same location as that
depicted on the earlier map. This may indicate that the earlier building had been demolished
however it is also possible that it had been modified into two smaller structures. Both struc-
tures are orientated with their long-axis east to west and are joined by what appears to have
been two walls, which would have enclosed an area between the two buildings. The two
buildings are collectively named ‘Smithy’ on this map and are located within a linear plot
(0.527 acres) along the roadside. It is equally possible that the OS sappers may have surveyed
the structures as one entire building in the 1840s, particularly if they were conjoined by a
wall.



According to the OS Name Books, ‘The south side of the townland is bounded by the road
leading from Nenagh to Moneygall on which there is a mile stone 72 miles to Dublin, 13
miles to Roscrea and 3 to Nenagh,’ (O’Flannagan 1930, 241). The initials ‘M.S.’ are shown
on the second edition OS map close to east of the smithy.

The modern road maps of the proposed scheme have not realised the presence of the smithy
due to vegetation cover. The boundaries of the small paddock are indicated however the area
of the smithy is depicted as trees.

Summary

The derelict remains of the smithy at Derrybane have likely been abandoned and roofless for
many decades. Its poor condition is due to collapse caused by natural decay due to exposure
to the elements, subsequent overgrowth of ivy and other vegetation and build up of humic
material within. There are only small portions of the surviving walls visible and the interior
is inaccessible and therefore very little can be concluded from the fieldwork. Cartographic
analysis indicates that the smithy dates to at least the early nineteenth century. The smithy
will neither be impacted upon by the proposed road nor the associated modifications to the
existing N7. In its poor surviving state, this site is of limited architectural significance how-
ever it is of general social and cultural interest.

3.3 AH 63: Western entrance, avenue and boundary of Lissanisky De-
mesne.

Location

The western entrance and tree lined avenue of Lissanisky demesne (Ch. 1.800 – 2.100) are
located on the eastern side of a tertiary road which links the N7 with Ballymackey. The en-
trance and avenue will be severely impacted upon by modifications to facilitate a bridge to
carry the tertiary road over the new N7 to north of this point. The entrance and c.15m of the
existing tree lined avenue are within the LMA.

Description (Figures 5-7)

This is a crescent or semi-elliptical style entrance (C. 16.68m) defined by limestone walls (T
0.53m; H 1.05m) of randomly coursed ashlar masonry with vertical coping in the form of
creulations (H 0.3m) (plate 6). The quoins on the outward angles are squared and dressed



(plate 7). The gateway (Wth 5.16m) is defined either side by a square pier (H 2.15m; L 0.75)
of limestone blocks which have been dressed similarly to the quoins (plate 8). Each pier is
capped with a simply cut square stone (plate 9). The gates do not survive, however a hanging
eye on the northern pier indicates that these were once a feature (plate 10). A cattle grid is
located between the piers. Mature beech and sycamore trees are planted within the arc of the
crescent (C. 9.75m) on either side of the entrance and also mature oak species are to the rear.
There are also mature trees along the existing avenue affording a pleasing approach to the
striking Georgian period house at Lissanisky.

Condition

The entrance, gateway and tree lined avenue are in good condition. The curving walls appear
to have been conserved in recent times with a mason’s mark ‘M. Ryan’ noted on the rear side
of the southern wall. The entrance is still in use as the main entrance to the house and is well
kept by the present owner (met). The present owner is concerned about the proposed modi-
fications to the entrance and is hopeful that they cause minimum damage to the existing
structure and the tree lined avenue.


The townland name of Lissanisky derives from the Irish ‘Lios an Uisce’ meaning ‘fort of the
water,’ (O’Flannagan 1930, 248). Lissanisky is within the parish of Ballymackey which means
‘Baile Mhac Aoidh’ or ‘Mackey’s town,’ (ibid, 234). According to the OS Name Books, ‘the
townland is chiefly a Demesne in a high state of cultivation, the south side consists of Lisani-
skey House surrounded by plantation and ornamental ground. There is a good piece of bog
in the northern end and the southern and western boundary are formed by roads intersecting
each other at right angles,’ (ibid, 248). The OS Name Books do not refer to anything else
specific about the house or its entrance other than it being a ‘commodious dwelling’ at the
south-west angle of the townland (O’Flannagan 1930, 256). The first edition OS map records
272 acres of land within the estate.

According to the Valuation Office House Books (1848 vol. 1796, 50) Mr Edward Parker
owned the estate including three houses and various associated buildings. Griffith (1850,
25) records the Hon. O.F.G Toler as the main Lessor of three houses and land amounting to
259 acres in Lissanisky. He appears to have lived in one of these and the other he leased to
Theobald Pepper Esq. and Brothers. The total valuation for the estate, including some smaller
properties was £202, which was in excess of the total valuation of surrounding townlands



(ibid). The house dates to the Georgian period and is a five-bay, three-storey over half base-
ment house. It is listed in the Record of Protected Structures in the County Development
Plan of Tipperary North Riding (North Tipperary Council 2004, 114) as follows:

‘S258 Lissanisky House Five-bay, three-storey over basement house. Return to rear. Hipped
natural slate roof. Centre bay protruding on front elevation to form pediment at roof.
Dashed. Cut stone sills. Cut stone door case with fanlight and side lights. Cut stone steps
to door. Two cut stone pillars and stone wall entrance.’

The educated date range based on its architectural features is thought to be 1750-1790 (Ap-
pendix 2: NIAH Ref. 22402114). The house, however, is not depicted on the 1783 Road Map
of Ireland, which is unusual due to its close proximity to the main Dublin to Limerick road
(Taylor and Skinner 1783, 98). Other houses in the vicinity are depicted and named, so it is
likely that Lissanisky dates to just after this period.

The cut and dressed limestone entrance and piers which form the focus of this study, are
mentioned in both the RPS and the NIAH and are regarded as being part of the demesne.
Inclusion in the NIAH does not afford statutory protection, however, listing in the RPS en-
sures protection of the house and its associated features under the Planning and Development
Acts 2000-2002.


The western entrance and avenue is shown on the first edition OS map as the main entrance
into the estate leading directly to the front of the house. The entrance is not depicted exactly
as semi-circle, however is of similar dimensions, yet more angular. It is difficult to decipher
at this scale, if the entrance is markedly different to that which survives today. The avenue is
depicted as a double dashed line, however although there are trees shown scattered around
the demesne, the avenue itself does not seem to have been aligned with trees at this stage.
There is a distinct bend in the avenue near the western end, before it straightens on its long
approach to the house.

The second edition [1904] OS map depicts the same plan layout and location of the entrance.
The avenue is not specifically tree lined although there are some trees planted within its vicin-
ity. The distinct bend near the western end of the avenue has been removed to create a more



gradual sweep from entrance to house.

Summary

The entrance and avenue of Lissanisky demesne remains generally unchanged since the pro-
duction of the first edition OS map. It is typically Georgian in style being plain, simple
and symmetrical. Lissanisky House dates to c.1770 and there is no reason to doubt that the
entrance is not contemporary, despite recent conservation works. The entrance is mentioned
along with the house in the NIAH and is listed in the RPS of the County Council Develop-
ment Plan and is consequently protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-
2002.

It is not readily understood if the proposed modifications to this entrance are necessary from
an engineering point of view. The proposal appears to constrict the approach to the entrance
on the southern side, whilst makes little or no change to the northern side. It is recommended
that the changes be made to the road layout without having any negative physical impact
upon the entrance to the estate. The exact purpose of the widening of the avenue along the
initial 15m is unclear. If there is an issue of sight lines, then alternatives should be discussed
with the project engineers whilst taking into full consideration the potential age of and im-
portance of the entrance and existing trees to this Georgian demesne. If physical impact is
unavoidable, the entrance should be preserved by record, carefully dismantled, stored and
rebuilt in a similar plan form (using a lime based mortar) once the new road layout has been
firmly established.

This site is of general architectural significance as an associated feature of Lissanisky House
and Estate.

3.4 AH 58: Derelict farmhouse and vernacular complex at Clash.

Location

Clash farm complex (Ch 7.000) is situated in gently undulating pasture c. 150m to north-
west of Clash Crossroads and c. 1.5km to north-west of the existing N7.

Description (Figures 8-12)



Clash is a complex of both modern and vernacular farm buildings comprising of three ver-
nacular sub-complexes of architectural interest identified in the EIS:
• House with additions (B1)

• Outbuilding with additions (B2)

• Shed with loft and adjoining barn (B3).

Impacts

• The vernacular outbuilding (B2) is located within the LMA and will be profoundly
impacted upon by the proposed route.
• The vernacular house (B1) will abut the northern fence line of the LMA and may be
physically impacted upon.
• The vernacular shed with loft and adjoining barn (B3) is in close proximity to the
northern fence line of the LMA and will be visually impacted upon by the proposed
route in the long term and could potentially be physically impacted upon during
construction.
• Two modern galvanised sheds (B4 and B5) of limited architectural interest are within
the complex and presently serve as cattle housing and a milking parlour. Shed (B4) is
within the LMA and will be demolished to facilitate the proposed route.

B1: Vernacular House with additions

Exterior

The derelict remains of a three-bay, two-storey, gable-ended farmhouse forms the centre of
the vernacular settlement at Clash (plate 11). The house is constructed of random rubble
stone and has been rendered with a rough cast harling and finished with a line and rule effect
simulating a block construction. A single-bay, two-storey extension adjoins the east gable and
a single-storey lean-to shed adjoins the west gable (plate 12).

The main house is north-facing with a central door opening and a window opening either
side. Three, much smaller window openings at first floor level correspond to the three ground
floor openings. Only the partial remains of the vertical sliding sash window frames of the
upper windows are visible. These frames have a horned sash to strengthen the meeting rail,
indicating that they are post-1840s in date. The rear elevation is essentially two-bay however
the openings are not spaced symmetrically. The rear door opening is off-set to the east and



the door does not survive. The original window shutters on the ground floor window survive
and are an interesting feature to find in a simple farmhouse which may indicate the comfort-
able wealth of the occupants (plate 13). A very small one-over-one vertical sliding sash window
which lights a small cupboard under the stairs is likely a later insertion after space was max-
imised within the interior (plate 14).

The east gable is covered by the two-storey addition, which is notably higher than the main
house. The west gable is only covered at ground floor level, however, there are no first floor
features visible on the exterior.

The roof is pitched (45°) and is covered in small sized natural slates, where they survive (plate
15). Most of the roof structure along with large areas of slate have collapsed into the interior
to front and rear. The remains of the roof are sealed at the eaves by a concrete barge on the
western side and along the surviving parts of the ridge by individual tiles. These ridge tiles
may either be of badly weathered clay or asbestos. One surviving felt repair possibly coated in
a bitumous material is also visible. The eastern eaves are covered by the adjoining two-storey
extension. It is likely that the original chimney stack on the east gable was removed when the
extension was added. A wide chimney stack constructed of pale yellow brick projects from the
west gable (plate 16). There are rainwater gutters along the base of the roof line to front and
rear, however no surviving downpipes to carry the water away.

The single-bay, two-storey extension adjoining the east gable is in a marginally better condi-
tion. The structure is built of uncoursed rubble, with openings of red brick and rendered with
a cement based rough cast. The front elevation has two large window openings in the centre,
however no frames survive. The east gable is blank and partially covered with ivy (plate 17).
The rear elevation is exactly the same as the front however the ground floor window has been
breached at the base to allow recent use of the interior.

The roof is pitched (50°) and is covered in large rectangular slates. The roofline is notably
higher than that of the main house. Although the roof structure was not seen, it may be in a
reasonable condition as there is no evidence of sagging along the ridge or elsewhere. Some of
the slates have slipped, mostly along the eaves allowing water ingress and generally the roof is
in a neglected condition (plate 18). There are no barges to seal the eaves of the roof and this is
one of the main reasons that the slates have slipped. The ridge tiles are in-situ and may either
be of badly weathered clay or asbestos. A fine red brick chimney is located on either gable



with that on the west set back slightly from the edge. There is a rainwater gutter along the
east gable, however it is not functional as only brackets exist along the eaves and no guttering
or downpipes survive.

Interior

Due to the fact that most of the roof structure has collapsed into the interior, access within
was not physically possible. A view into the different areas of the interior was possible through
each of the window openings. Prior to collapse of the roof, it is likely that there was a lot of
water ingress into the interior, weakening the wall tops and floor joists. As a result, it is likely
that the first floor joists became loose from their wall hangers perhaps causing the floor to
collapse when large areas of the roof structure broke down (plate 19).

The remains of the interior indicate that the main house comprised of a room located either
side of a central lobby entrance. A scar in the lobby wall indicates that the staircase was
against the west wall and took a quarter turn onto a lower landing and a second quarter turn
on its final approach to the first floor hallway (plate 20). The hallway extended along the rear
of the house and appears to have accessed one bedroom to west and one to east, correspond-
ing with the two rooms at ground floor level.

When the two-storey addition was added, the east gable wall of the main house was breached
on the north side to access the ground floor level and breached on the south side at first floor
level to access a third bedroom. The small ground floor window in the rear of the main house
lit a small cupboard, possibly serving as a cloakroom, which was located underneath the
stairs. Considering its size, it is possible that this was a later insertion.

The interior walls were rendered, plastered and painted (plate 21). The visible door openings
are straight and window openings are splayed. The large blocked-up, red brick fireplace in the
east gable wall of the original main house indicates that this room probably functioned as the
kitchen (plate 22). The fact that it has been blocked up and two circular pipes project from it
may indicate that a range was subsequently located here. The remains of a small oven or boiler
are located in a niche adjacent to south. There is also a fireplace located in the west gable at
ground floor level, however no surround survives. In fact it is likely that the house was gutted
after it was abandoned as there is little evidence of any surviving furniture, other fixtures or
fittings. The first floor of the main house is essentially gone, although the remnants of two
rooms are clearly visible, with a fireplace in each.



It was possible to safely access the ground floor room of the addition via the rear window
opening which has been breached in relatively recent times to allow housing for cattle. The
surrounds of the openings are of red brick and the embrasures are generally straight (plate
23). A small brick fireplace is located in the centre of the east gable and a wall press adjacent
to north (plates 24 and 25). It is clearly evident that the original chimney flue of the main
dwelling projected from the gable wall which is now only visible from the interior of the ad-
dition. This may account for the fact that the stack is set back from the edge of the gable of
the addition. The first floor of the addition was accessed via the first floor of the main house
and was therefore inaccessible.

The interior of the lean-to shed on the west gable of the main house was not accessible. The
roof has collapsed inwards and the interior is covered in debris and overgrowth. It is evident
that the shed was accessed via a door opening in the south elevation and has a large window
opening in the north elevation. It appears that the roof covering was of slate.

B2: Vernacular Outbuilding and additions.

Location

The remains of an outbuilding are adjacent to south of the farmhouse. This outbuilding is
enclosed to east by the farm boundary wall (Ref. AH 57).

Description

This building comprises of the remains of a two-storey barn constructed of rubble stone which
has been rendered to the front (plate 26). It has a wide central door opening at ground floor
level and a window opening off-set to the west at first floor level. The door opening has been
blocked with concrete bricks and the window opening is barely visible due to ivy growth. It
appears that the foundation for this barn was cut into the hillslope to south to create a level
base. As a result, only the first floor is visible above the ground surface to rear. The remains
of only one definite window opening are visible in the rear elevation as the rest is obscured
by vegetation (plate 27). The east and west gables are largely obscured, however some general
conclusions can be made about both. The west elevation has been reinforced by a drystone
buttress due to potential collapse (plate 28). The roof of the barn was probably of A-frame
construction, pitched and was clearly covered by slate. Most of the roof has collapsed and the
surviving edges are top heavy with ivy growth. The vents in the front elevation indicate that



this barn was used to keep animals, however this would have been confined to the winter
months. The wide door opening may also suggest a storage function for machinery. The loft
above would have provided additional space for storage.

The east elevation of the barn is partially covered by the remains of a single-storey structure
adjoining it (plate 29). Very little can be deduced from these remains, however, it is likely that
they represent one-bay of a slightly larger structure. The poorly preserved remains of one small
window with a wooden lintel are the only features. It is likely that the roof was pitched.

Condition

It is clear that the structural integrity of this building has been under scrutiny in the past.
Cast iron trusses visible in the front elevation have attempted to hold the front and rear walls
together (possibly by holding the main rafter in place) to prevent collapse. The stone buttress
built up on the west gable has also attempted to reinforce the structure. These problems have
been caused by movement in the structure, probably at foundation level. Movement in the
rear wall may also have been caused by pressure or subsidence on the hillslope to rear. This
movement likely caused the initial collapse of the roof structure which has exposed the wall
tops and internal fabric of the building to water ingress, further weakening the structure over
time. There is also evidence of concrete repair work to the masonry.

The wide central door opening was likely blocked up with concrete blocks to facilitate the use
of a cattle crush along the front of the barn. A wall of similar construction and age was built
perpendicular to the buttress on the west gable to facilitate the entrance to the crush (plate
30).

B3: Shed with loft and adjoining barn

Location

The remains of a shed with a loft and adjoining barn (long-axis SW-NE) are adjacent to west
of the farmhouse (B1). These buildings complete the vernacular complex at Clash.

Description of shed

The shed is a three-bay, single-storey, gable-ended structure with loft over (plate 31). The
structure is of random rubble stone which shoes no evidence of any render. It is possible that



it may have been white-washed, however no evidence of this survives. The front elevation is
SE-facing and has a central door opening flanked by a small square window on either side.
The lintel of the door opening is of wood, however the small window openings have stone
lintels with wooden frames (plate 32). The rear elevation has three long air vents/slit openings
equally spaced apart (plate 33). The north-east gable contains a door opening at loft level,
which was probably accessed by a portable wooden ladder as no stone steps, scar or put log
holes of any external staircase survive (plate 34). The south-west gable is featureless and is
covered by the remains of the adjoining barn. The roof is pitched and covered by slate.

The interior is open plan, however, is small, dark and cramped, accentuated by a very low
ceiling supported on roughly cut upright wooden logs. The underside of the joists and the loft
floor timbers are exposed. The walls appear to have been rendered and possibly show traces of
white wash. The embrasure of the air vents/slit openings splay in toward the light.

The loft above is also open plan and quite dark as the loft door opening provides the only
light source. The A-frame structure of the roof is high in order to achieve maximum space
within. The loft contains bedding material at present.

The poor light within this building and three air vents to rear may indicate that it functioned
as housing for small animals. It has recently been used for animal housing as the floor has
been prepared with straw. It is likely that the loft above was originally used for storage, prob-
ably of straw bedding for the housing below.

Condition

Structurally the walls of the shed are weak in places evidenced by a significant crack in the
north-east gable wall due to the location of the loft door opening which has reduced the load
bearing capacity of this wall. There are no barges sealing the eaves of the roof and some of the
slates have slipped or are missing. The ridge of the roof is not visible due to top heavy growth
of ivy, however the underlying structure is under strain evidenced by sagging in the middle
of the pitch. The roof is not watertight and water ingress is entering the interior and the wall
tops in places. Ivy has penetrated the stone fabric of the upper portions of wall further weak-
ening the structure.



Description of barn

A long, narrow stone barn adjoins the south-west gable of the shed. This building is of similar
stone construction, is not rendered and contains numerous small air vents, particularly in the
rear wall (plate 35). The front elevation is pierced by two wide openings each with an ellipti-
cal arch of roughly hewn stone voussoirs. The north-eastern opening has been blocked with
mass concrete (plate 36) and the base of the south-west opening is obscured by a build up
of earthen and other organic debris on the exterior (plate 37). This width of these openings
may suggest this building functioned as some form of workshop or storage for machinery.
The wall has completely collapsed between the two openings (plate 38). The rear elevation is
featureless apart from the small air vents. The remains of a regular door opening are visible
in the south-west gable (plate 39).

The interior is open plan and is generally featureless. There is no ceiling and the A-frame
roof structure is visible and comprises of well preserved sawn timbers indicating that it was
replaced in relatively recent decades (plate 40). The roof is covered with slate lain directly on
top of these timbers (plate 41). The roof structure has collapsed where the section of front
elevation has fallen and ivy has begun to penetrate this weak point and into the interior.

The ruinous remains of a wall (long-axis SW-NE) are located to the immediate south-west of
the barn (see Cartographic Analysis).

Condition

The poor condition of the barn is likely due to long term exposure of the structural elements
of the building before it was re-roofed with the present A-frame structure. The partial collapse
of the front wall may be due to the fact that the weak walls could not fully support the weight
of the new roof structure. An attempt was made to reinforce the strength of the front eleva-
tion by blocking one of the wide openings with mass concrete. The general condition of the
fabric is poor as most of the mortar has been washed out of the masonry through long-term
exposure to the elements (plate 42).


The townland name of Clash derives from the Irish ‘Clais’ meaning ‘a trench or furrow,’
(O’Flannagan 1930, 239-40). According to the OS Name Books, Clash was, ‘a townland
principally under wood and furze, there are several scattered houses through it and the south-



west end contains about eleven acres of bog’ (ibid). The study site is located near the north-
western side of Clash Crossroads, referred to in the OS Name Books as ‘Clash four roads’
(ibid, 256). The complex at Clash is located on the road leading from Ballymacky church
to Moneygall which intersects at the crossroads with the road leading from Newport to
Cloghjordan. Clash is within the parish of Ballymackey which means ‘Baile Mhac Aoidh’ or
‘Mackey’s town,’ (ibid, 234).

The father of the present owner, Stephen Grace, purchased the farm in 1972 from a batch-
elor named Dickie Hassett (Mr Grace Snr. Pers. comm.). The buildings and in particular
the house (B1) were in a poor state of repair when the property was taken over (ibid). The
house was never lived in again and was essentially abandoned in 1972 as the property was
subsequently used as an out-farm (ibid). Limited use has been made of the ground floor of
the two-storey addition of (B1) and the shed and loft (B3). The outbuilding (B2) has been in
a poor condition since the property was purchased and was of no operational use in a modern
farmyard.

According to the Valuation Office House Books (1848 vol. 1796, 86) John Hasset owned a
house, barn, stable and piggery. The annual rateable valuation was charged at 35 shillings per
acre. The house described in the valuation books is likely to be that (B1) which exists today,
the barn is possibly the outbuilding (B2) and the shed and loft (B3) is likely to be the cow
house. The piggery is likely to be the long building adjoining to west-south-west of the cow
house, thus accounting for the two low arches in the front elevation. Matt and Arthur Has-
sett each have separate holdings within this townland however both record a house only with
no associated buildings or land (ibid, 86 and 89).


The first edition OS map shows three buildings within the farmyard complex at Clash. The
most northerly building is of the same size, orientation and is at the same location as the
farmhouse (B1). The building to the immediate south is of the same size, orientation and is
at the same location as the outbuilding (B2). The boundary depicted to the immediate east
is likely to be much later than the existing boundary (AH 57) as the position of the bound-
ary is likely to have changed after the two-storey addition was built in the twentieth century.
Depiction of the farmhouse (B1) and outbuilding (B2) on this map edition indicates that
they are pre-1840s in date. The building depicted further to south no longer survives, but it
is evident that it was one of three original buildings within this vernacular farm complex.
The shed with loft and the adjoining barn (B3) are not depicted on this map edition and are



therefore likely to be later in date.

The second edition OS map shows the three buildings shown on the earlier map and indi-
cates that an additional four buildings had been constructed since the production of the first
edition. Only two of the later buildings survive within today’s farmyard and comprise of the
shed with loft and the adjoining barn (B3). These are located to the west of the original farm-
yard and are on a different orientation (long-axis NE-SW). The barn adjoining the shed (B3)
is shown slightly narrower in width as it exists today. The north-west gable of a small building
depicted to south-west on this map edition survives in a very ruinous state today. A boundary
extending (long-axis NW-SE) between the shed and barn is shown on this map and a small
building abuts its north-east side, however neither survive to the present day.

The farmhouse (B1) is shown with a small addition to the west gable, which is likely the lean-
to which exists today. The most likely function for this structure was an outside toilet. The
two-storey addition to the east side of the farmhouse is not depicted and likely post-dates the
second edition map. A water pump indicated by a dot and the letter ’P’ had been constructed
close to the NW corner of the outbuilding (B2). This feature is no longer evident and has
likely been removed and the well blocked and diverted to the modern milking parlour.

Summary

There are clearly two main phases of farmyard development at Clash. The first phase com-
prised of the three buildings shown on the first edition including the farmhouse (B1) and
outbuilding (B2) and a third building adjacent to south-west. The second phase involved the
construction of the shed (B3), which pre-dates the adjoining barn, but the difference in age
may be small. It is likely that the building to south-west of the barn was constructed around
the same time and perhaps fell into decay a number of decades ago with only the north-west
gable surviving today. The building to north-west of the shed (B3) was probably removed
when the field boundary was levelled during land consolidation.

The two-storey addition to the east side of the farmhouse is not depicted and likely post-
dates the second edition map and therefore is part of a third phase of farmyard development.
A fourth phase of farmyard building was post-1972 when a large barn (B4) with a barrel
vaulted roof was constructed to south-west of the vernacular farmyard. A modern creamery
also shown on the modern mapping has been constructed adjacent to north of the farmhouse
(B1) in recent years (plate 43). Increased stocking rates on consolidated farms required larger


Architectural Survey of N7 Castletown to Nenagh Road Scheme

Architectural Survey of N7 Castletown to Nenagh Road Scheme

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