Ballymore House

Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse with dormer attic, extant 1885, on a rectangular plan; three- or five-bay two-storey rear (north) elevation centred on single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height gabled flush return. Occupied, 1911. Sold, 1917. Pitched slate roof extending into lean-to slate roofs (north) centred on pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, cement rendered chimney stacks having paired stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on overhanging timber boarded eaves having paired timber consoles. Rendered, ruled and lined wall to front (south) elevation on rendered chamfered plinth with rendered "bas-relief" strips to ends supporting rendered band to eaves; rendered, ruled and lined surface finish (remainder) with fine roughcast surface finish to rear (north) elevation. Hipped segmental-headed central door opening with cut-granite step threshold, timber mullions supporting timber transom, and rusticated rendered surround framing timber panelled double doors having sidelights below stained glass fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows centred on timber casement window (first floor). Paired square-headed window openings to gables to side elevations with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six timber sash windows. Paired square-headed window openings to rear (north) elevation centred on square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and rendered "bas-relief" surrounds framing one-over-one timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes centred on margined two-over-two (half-landing) or two-over-two (dormer attic) timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings 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 nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one refronting a lobby entry house marked on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey (surveyed 1840; published 1841), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the compact plan form centred on a robust doorcase showing a pretty "bat wing" fanlight; the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the decorative timber work embellishing a high pitched roofline. 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 where contemporary joinery; chimneypieces; and plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1903) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with John Rowe (d. 1906), 'Gentleman Farmer late of Ballymore County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1906, 453); and William Connick (----), 'Farmer' (NA 1911).