Ballywilliam

Detached five-bay two-storey over basement country house, dated 1816, having entrance to side (east). Enclosed by basement area with rubble stone enclosing walls. Hipped slate roof with central valley, having overhanging timber clad eaves, rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls having slate hanging to rear (north) and side (east) elevations. Tooled limestone date plaque to rear elevation. Diminishing square-headed window openings with tooled limestone sills throughout, having twelve-over-twelve pane timber sliding sash windows to ground floor and eight-over-eight pane timber sliding sash windows elsewhere with some blind openings to front and side (east, west) elevations. Round-headed stairwell window opening with limestone sill to rear elevation, having twelve-over-eight pane timber sliding sash window with fanlight. Depressed oculus window opening to basement level of rear elevation, having fixed spoked timber-framed window. Elliptical-headed door opening with tooled limestone doorcase to side (east) elevation. Doorcase comprising hollow chamfered surround with scalloped archivolt, Doric columns on square-profile plinths surmounted by fluted frieze and stepped cornice. Timber panelled door with cast-iron door furniture surmounted by spoked fanlight having limestone stepped approach with flanking cast-iron hand rails. Camber-arched limestone bridge spanning basement area to south, having shaped rendered parapet walls with tooled limestone copings and stepped surface. Square-headed door opening to rear of basement area giving access to vaulted coal stores, now disused. Rendered limestone curtain wall attached to north-east corner, enclosing garden to north having round-headed door opening and statuary niche. Tooled limestone tomb abutting northern face of wall. Located within own grounds.

Located on an elevated site overlooking Bandon River, this fine early nineteenth century country house is an eye-catching feature in the rural landscape. A handsome carved limestone doorcase provides a decorative focus while the slate hanging is a notable feature which was once found throughout the county by is now sadly increasingly rare. A walled garden and elaborate bridge add to its setting and context.