Ahare Park

Detached four-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1840, on an L-shaped plan originally three-bay two-storey on a rectangular plan; two-bay two-storey (south) or single-bay two-storey (north) side elevations. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1915. Extended, 1925, producing present composition. Sold, 1986. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan with clay ridge tiles, rendered central chimney stack on axis with ridge having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on roughcast eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Roughcast walls bellcast over rendered plinth. Segmental-headed central door opening with cut-granite step threshold, and cut-granite block-and-start surround centred on keystone framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six (ground floor) or three-over-six (first floor) timber sash windows without horns; eight-over-eight (ground floor) or four-over-eight (first floor) timber sash windows to side elevations. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned timber balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in turned timber newels, and carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds.

A farmhouse representing an important component of the domestic built heritage of north County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the compact plan form centred on a streamlined Classical doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship in a silver-grey granite, but also showing a pretty radial fanlight; and the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the continued development or "improvement" of the farmhouse in the early twentieth century. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including crown or cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of a farmhouse having historic connections with the Whitmore family including Robert Whitmore (d. 1914), 'Gentleman Farmer late of Ahare Inch County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1914, 695).