Beechfield

Detached three-bay two-storey over basement house, built 1858; occupied 1864, on an T-shaped plan centred on single-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch to ground floor abutting single-bay two-storey gabled advanced end bay; two-bay (west) or single-bay (east) two-storey side elevations. Occupied, 1911. Sold, 1986, to accommodate alternative use. Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan with clay ridge tiles, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on eaves boards on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Rendered walls on rendered, ruled and lined plinth. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of three cut-granite steps with moulded rendered archivolt centred on keystone framing glazed timber panelled door having overlight. Square-headed door opening into house with moulded surround framing glazed timber panelled door having overlight. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement with cut-granite sills, timber panelled mullions, and moulded rendered surrounds framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): partitioned central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, "Acanthus"-detailed decorative plasterwork cornice to ceiling, staircase on a dog leg plan with turned balusters supporting carved timber banister terminating in volute, carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors, and plasterwork cornice to ceiling; reception room (west) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers; reception room (east) retaining carved timber surround to door opening framing timber panelled door with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, cut-white marble Classical-style chimneypiece, and decorative plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on "Acanthus"-detailed ceiling rose; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in relandscaped grounds on a corner site.

A house representing an integral component of the mid nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of south County Dublin with the architectural value of the composition, one erected on a site leased (1858) from the trustees of the estate of William Hopper (d. 1857) of Shanganagh House (see 60260120), suggested by such attributes as the compact plan form centred on a Classically-detailed porch; and the diminishing in scale of the bipartite openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" or reception rooms defined by a polygonal bay windows. 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; Classical-style chimneypieces; and decorative plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of a house having historic connections with the Middleton family including Alfred Hancock Middleton (1821-1910), 'Solicitor' (NA 1901); and Thomas Benjamin Middleton (1855-1931), 'Solicitor' (NA 1911).