almshouse

End-of terrace three-bay two-storey gable-fronted former almshouse, dated 1847, with pediment to front elevation. One of row of four almshouses at south side of Rockcorry village. Now unoccupied. Hipped slate roof, gabled to pediment, with grey clayware ridge tiles, and having ashlar coping to pediment, ashlar sandstone chimneystacks with polygonal terracotta pots, and replacement rainwater goods. Squared coursed limestone walling with rusticated block-and-start sandstone quoins, sandstone eaves course at pediment base, and chamfered sandstone plinth. Sandstone shield plaque to pediment inscribed 'THOSE HOUSES WERE ERECTED BY JOS[EPH] GRIFFITH ESQ FOR DESTITUTE WIDOWS A.D.1847'. Roughcast rendered to gable. Square-headed window openings with red brick block-and-start surrounds and voussoirs, and timber sliding sash windows, six-over-six pane to front and with mix of six-over-six and three-over-six pane to rear, with stone sills. Round-arch door opening with red brick block-and-start surround and voussoirs, timber battened door with spoked timber fanlight, and flagstone door-step with cast-iron boot-scraper. Single-cell toilet to rear having concrete walls and lean-to corrugated-iron roof. Shared garden to rear. Set back from street, with garden to front bounded by cast-iron railings and pedestrian gate on chamfered sandstone plinth.

This house is part of an important and especially attractive row of mid-nineteenth-century almshouses. Such buildings were typical of philanthropic housing in the Victorian era. Well proportioned and retaining their integral scale and principal features including timber sash windows, these carefully designed and crafted almshouses demonstrate high quality stonemasonry skill, most evident in the components of the pediments, reflecting a commitment to quality and the intention of withstanding the test of time. The unfortunate derelict state of this important ensemble is regrettable.