Bank of Ireland

Terraced four-bay two-storey bank, c.1905, on a corner site retaining most original fenestration with single-bay two-storey side elevation to south-west and two-bay two-storey return to rear to north-west having round-headed integral carriageway to left ground floor. Part refenestrated, c.1985. Gable-ended roofs with red clay tiles. Clay ridge tiles. Timber eaves and bargeboards. Cast-iron rainwater goods on eaves course. Rendered walls to ground floor. Channelled. Painted. Moulded rendered archivolts to ground floor side (south-west) elevation on piers (forming ‘arcade’ with integral carriageway) with moulded necking to piers and keystones. Moulded rendered stringcourse to first floor. Roughcast walls to first floor. Painted. Red clay tile to gable to side elevation to south-west. Square-headed window openings. Rendered sills to ground floor with moulded rendered pilaster surrounds having entablatures over. Stone sills to first floor. Red brick block-and-start surrounds. 1/1 timber sash windows (replacement timber casement windows, c.1985, to ground floor front (south-east) elevation and to first floor side elevation). Round-headed door opening to right ground floor. Moulded rendered pilaster doorcase with archivolt over having keystone. Timber panelled door. Overlight. Round-headed integral carriageway to left ground floor to return. Moulded rendered pilaster doorcase with archivolts over having keystone. Timber boarded double doors. Road fronted on a corner site. Tarmacadam footpath to front.

This bank is a fine example of Edwardian commercial architecture and has been well-maintained to present an early aspect. The bank is of some social and historic interest as one of the first purpose-built financial institutions in the locality, reflecting the growing prosperity of the town. The juxtaposition of a variety of materials in the construction of the building results in a façade of much visual incident, hinting at the emerging Arts-and-Crafts style, which is an attractive feature on the corner of Market Square and Dublin Street. The use of moulded render throughout for decorative effect is a good example of the high quality of craftsmanship practised in the locality, and includes attractive surrounds to the opening to ground floor. The bank retains most of its original form and fabric (with the exception of a replacement window to ground floor front elevation and to first floor side elevation to south-west) and is an integral component of the streetscape of both streets on to which its fronts, continuing the established streetline while contributing to the varied roofline of the terraces.