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Castlebridge House

House
Castlebridge House
Photo: georama, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 · Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Detached three-bay two-storey house, built 1814, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (three-bay deep) two-storey double-pile lower central return (east). Sold, 1827. "Improved", 1858, producing present composition. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1978. Vacated, 2000. Now disused. Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan…

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Detached three-bay two-storey house, built 1814, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (three-bay deep) two-storey double-pile lower central return (east). Sold, 1827. "Improved", 1858, producing present composition. Occupied, 1901; 1911. Sold, 1978. Vacated, 2000. Now disused. Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof (east), clay ridge tiles, lichen-spotted coping to gables, rendered "wallhead" central chimney stack (east) having rendered red brick capping supporting yellow terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on moulded rendered thumbnail beaded cornice retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes with cast-iron rainwater goods (east) on slate flagged red brick header bond eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered, ruled and lined walls on submerged cut-granite plinth. Elliptical-headed door opening approached by two cut-granite steps, timber mullions supporting timber transom, and concealed dressings framing glazed timber panelled double doors having sidelights on panelled risers below overlight. Square-headed window openings (ground floor) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing boarded-up two-over-two timber sash windows having overlights. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing boarded-up two-over-two timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor anti-clockwise): hall retaining encaustic tiled floor, carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and decorative plasterwork cornices to ceilings centred on "Acanthus"-detailed ceiling roses in egg-and-dart-detailed frames; reception room (south-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, and egg-and-dart-detailed decorative plasterwork cornice to ceiling centred on "Acanthus"-detailed ceiling rose; reception room (south) retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surround to window opening framing timber panelled shutters on panelled risers, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; reception room (south-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, and moulded 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 on panelled risers. Set in overgrown grounds on a wedge-shaped site.
A house erected by Nicholas Dixon (----) representing an important component of the domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, '[an] exceedingly fine [house] worthy of admiration' (Lacy 1863, 455), confirmed by such attributes as the compact plan form; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" or reception rooms defined by so-called "Wexford Window" sash-and-overlight glazing patterns; and the high pitched roofline: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the near-total reconstruction of the house for Patrick Breen Junior (d. 1889) with those works including a curvilinear "porte cochère"-cum-"jardiniere" by James Pierce (1813-68) of The Mill Road Iron Works, Wexford, 'whose superb craftsmanship [is] superior even to Richard Turner's' (Williams 1994, 382-3; cf. 15702629). A prolonged period of unoccupancy notwithstanding, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where encaustic tile work; contemporary joinery; and decorative plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, an adjoining polygonal bow-ended stable outbuilding (extant 1840) continues to contribute positively to the group and setting values of an increasingly forlorn ensemble having having historic connections with the Nunn family including William Bolton Nunn (1842-1918), 'Land Agent [and] Malster [late of] Castlebridge County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1918, n.p.); and Joshua Loftus Nunn (1889-1974). NOTE: In 1951 the venue for a post shooting party dinner which brought about the publication of the first Guinness Book of Records (1955) by Sir Hugh Beaver (1890-1967), Managing Director of the Arthur Guinness, Son and Company (fl. 1946-60).

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 15614007

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Photo credits
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • Mike Searle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • David Hawgood, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Thommcg1980, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • AFBorchert, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Danielclauzier, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Sarah777 at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
  • Chris, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Maker named on the Wikimedia Commons picture page · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Richard Webb, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Saint Ibar's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 80 yd

Explorer Tom Saint Ibar's Catholic Church in Castlebridge has such a compact shape that I think it would fit on a tombstone if you squinted hard enough and ignored the scale issues entirely. Thomas Willis designed it, but I suspect he was just trying to save on bricks because money was tight in those days. The axis is slightly off, which is very modern of it. Watch for the tiny details!

Castlebridge MillsMill (water) · 101 yd

Explorer Tom Castlebridge Mills has been grinding grain for ages, but it handles nosey neighbours with a stiff upper lip. If you peek through the windows too long, I bet the water wheel gives you a glare. It’s survived plenty of changes, so let it keep its industrial mysteries to itself.

Peace GardenMemorial · 166 yd

Explorer Tom Peace Garden in County Wexford is having a massive identity crisis, trying to be serious but smelling like a fresh cut lawn. I bet it’d tell its younger self to stop sweating so much and just let the flowers do the talking. Grab a cuppa and wave goodbye.

Artramon CastleCastle, tower house · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Artramon Castle was nearly sold for a horse once, which shows how much value people put on property that looks like it’s about to collapse. It’s a tower house with more history than some people have in their heads and none of the confidence. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun; the stones are too tired to argue back.

Wexford Wildfowl ReserveVisitor attraction · 2.3 mi

Explorer Tom The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve has a hidden message in its stones that reads 'Please stop feeding the ducks' but nobody listens. It’s full of birds who think they own the place, which is fair enough considering how loud they are. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise it will be.

Commodore John Barry MemorialMemorial · 3.2 mi

Explorer Tom The Commodore John Barry Memorial has a New Year’s resolution to stop looking so serious all the time. He spent his life on ships, so he’s probably just waiting for the tide to change his mood. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think about nothing.

Siege of WexfordSiege · 3.5 mi

Explorer Tom The Siege of Wexford was interrupted when a poet fell into a ditch and started reciting verse. The soldiers paused to listen because he was actually quite good at it. It ruined the momentum completely. Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Sack of WexfordSiege · 3.5 mi

Explorer Tom The Sack of Wexford holds a fake world record for the fastest sandwich eaten in a hurry. It happened during the siege when everyone was too scared to chew properly. It’s a very stressful culinary achievement. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Curracloe BeachBeach / strand · 3.7 mi

Explorer Tom Curraclloe Beach in County Wexford was used by smugglers who hid their contraband under the sand and hoped nobody would check. They were mostly carrying illegal amounts of biscuits, but still. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Raven Point Nature ReserveForest · 3.8 mi

Explorer Tom Raven Point Nature Reserve has been hiding a massive scandal involving a raven who stole the local priest’s hat in 1842. The birds are still acting shy because they know exactly what happened that day. Pretend it's yours and plan the housewarming.

Dawn Redwood4.7 mi

Explorer Tom Dawn Redwood would rate its visitors two stars: 'They stared too long and didn’t bring snacks.' It’s ancient but has the attitude of a diva who knows her worth. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Forth MountainMountain / peak · 6.6 mi

Explorer Tom Forth Mountain is absolutely sick of being asked if it’s related to the River Forth in Scotland; it’s just a hill, not a geography lesson. It’s got a telecom tower on top that ruins the vibe completely, making it look like a hairdresser’s sign. Find the wonkiest bit and send it to your group chat.

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