Castlegrove

Entrance gates serving Castlegrove (see 40905409), erected c. 1863, comprising a pair of smooth rendered gate piers (on square-plan) having moulded cut stone coping over surmounted by sandstone ball finials, and having a pair of wrought-iron gates with cast-iron finials over. Gateway flanked to either side (east and west) by quadrant sections of smooth rendered boundary wall with cut stone coping over, and having integral square-headed pedestrian entrances with wrought-iron gates with some surviving cast-iron finals over. Quadrant walls terminated by smooth rendered gate piers (on square-plan) having flat cut stone coping over. Located to the west of Castlegrove and to the north-east of Letterkenny. Attendant gate lodge (see 40905391) adjacent to the south.

This elegantly-appointed sweeping gateway makes a suitable fine first impression at the main entrance to Castlegrove (see 40905409). The understated classicism compliments the architectural style of the main house itself. Its form with central vehicular entrance flanked by pedestrian entrances are a feature of many gateways to large estates. The finely carved ball finials over the central gate piers are clearly the work of skilled craftsmen. The simple but appealing wrought-iron gates and railings survive in relatively good condition, and are notable as examples of mid nineteenth-century metallurgy. This gateway forms a pair of related structures along with the attendant gate lodge (see 40905391), and part of a wider group of structures associated with Castlegrove, and is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area in its own rights. This gateway was apparently erected in 1863 by James Grove Wood Grove after he inherited the 2,000 acre estate. It replaced an earlier gateway to the south-east with paired gate lodges that was presumably demolished after this gateway was erected.