Bridge House in Knocklong West

Detached five-bay two-storey farmhouse, dated 1859, on a rectangular plan. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1991. Hipped slate roof with roll moulded clay or terracotta ridge tiles, paired rendered central chimney stacks having stringcourses below capping, and square profile rainwater goods on slightly overhanging rendered eaves. Rendered, ruled and lined coursed rubble stone walls with concealed rough hewn rubble limestone flush quoins to corners. Segmental-headed central door opening with cut-limestone step threshold, timber doorcase on drag edged dragged cut-limestone padstones with fluted pilasters supporting shallow cornice, and rendered surround with monolithic pilasters on plinths supporting moulded archivolt on inverted anthemion-detailed consoles framing timber panelled double doors having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed red brick block-and-start surrounds framing six-over-six timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes. Set in landscaped grounds.

A farmhouse representing an integral component of the mid nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Limerick with the architectural value of the composition, one carrying the monogram ("DM 1859") of Daniel Moloney (1814-76), suggested by such attributes as the rectilinear plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase showing a simple radial fanlight; the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor; and the slightly oversailing roofline. Having been well maintained, the form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, thus upholding the character or integrity of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings ("DM 1906") continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Moloney family including Daniel Moloney (1865-1916); and Daniel Joseph "Danny" Moloney (1897-1957).