Carcur House

Detached three-bay two-storey house, extant 1877, on an L-shaped plan; three-bay (north) or two-bay (south) two-storey side elevations. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Hipped slate roof on an L-shaped plan with ridge tiles, paired rendered central chimney stacks having corbelled stepped capping supporting yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging eaves having consoles retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Rendered, ruled and lined walls on rendered chamfered plinth with rusticated rendered piers to corners. Segmental-headed central door opening with granite flagged threshold, doorcase with engaged columns on plinths supporting shallow cornice on flush beaded frieze, and rendered "bas-relief" surround framing timber panelled double doors having fanlight. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (ground floor) with cut-granite sills, timber cruciform mullions, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four timber sash windows having overlights. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (first floor) with cut-granite sills, timber mullions, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four timber sash windows. 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 house representing an important component of the mid nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one recalling the contemporary Alma House (1854; see 15607018); and Latimerstown House (extant 1868; see 15704244), confirmed by such attributes as the compact plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also showing a simplified "peacock tail" fanlight; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" or reception rooms defined by a variation on the so-called "Wexford Window" sash-and-overlight glazing pattern; and the monolithic timber work embellishing a slightly oversailing 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, thus upholding the character or integrity of the composition. Furthermore, an adjacent coach house-cum-stable outbuilding (----); and ornamental stone work reclaimed from the ruined Bellevue (see 15703206), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with Joseph Meadows (1809-77), 'Solicitor and Clerk of Peace formerly of Clough East Cottage [sic] afterwards of Carcur and late of Thornville all in County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1877, 515); and Martin Huggard (1842-1922), 'Solicitor [and] Commissioner of Oaths' (NA 1901; NA 1911).