Ballygassan House

Detached three-bay two-storey former hunting lodge, built c. 1900, attached to earlier house to rear, now in private domestic use. Square-plan, projecting single-bay full-height entrance porch to east, pitched roof addition to rear (west) c. 1930, canted-bays to north and south. Hipped slate roofs, clay ridge tiles, pitched roof to rear (west) extension, red brick corbelled chimneystacks, yellow clay pots, moulded cast-iron gutters at slight projecting eaves, circular cast-iron downpipes. Painted roughcast-rendered walling, painted smooth rendered plinth course. Square-headed window openings, painted smooth rendered patent reveals, painted stone sills, painted timber one-over-one sliding sash windows, canted bay windows to north and south elevations, lead flashing to parapet, painted smooth rendered ruled-and-lined surrounds. Square-headed door opening, door surround comprising broken pediment supported on engaged Doric pilasters, leaded overlight, sidelights; painted timber door with six flat panels, limestone threshold. House set in own grounds, agricultural buildings to rear (west); approached by gravel drive, bounded by battered painted roughcast-rendered walling with soldier coping, accessed through wrought-iron hooped railings and gates.

Ballygassan House was built as a hunting lodge for the Plunket family of Louth Hall and replaced an earlier house known as Thompson's Farm. It has been enlarged and expanded over the decades. The symmetrical appearance of the front elevation is enlivened by the projecting porch and attractive doorway, along with the retention of many original features. It makes a valid contribution to the architectural legacy of the area.