Clifden House

Detached three-bay two-storey over part-raised basement Classical-style country house, c.1750, on a H-shaped plan comprising single-bay two-storey recessed central entrance bay having (single-storey) prostyle tetrastyle pedimented portico to ground floor, and single-bay two-storey projecting flanking end bays having two-bay two-storey side elevations forming single-bay two-storey returns to west. Refenestrated. Undergoing extensive renovation, 2004-5. Hipped roof on a H-shaped plan (lean-to to portico behind blocking course) with replacement Bangor slate, 2004-5, clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks, and rainwater goods undergoing replacement, 2004-5, on cut-limestone eaves having iron brackets. Unpainted roughcast walls on unpainted rendered base with tooled cut-limestone quoins to corners, and carved cut-limestone course supporting cut-limestone band to eaves. Square-headed window openings with cut-limestone sills, and replacement six-over-six timber sash windows, 2004-5, superseding replacement uPVC casement windows having some one-over-one and two-over-two timber sash windows to side (south) elevation. Square-headed door opening under prostyle tetrastyle Tuscan portico approached by flight of nine cut-limestone steps (with cut-limestone columns supporting carved entablature, frieze having central panel, and carved surround to pediment having blocking course to parapet) with cut-limestone block-and-start surround having entablature over, and timber panelled door. Square-headed door opening to rear (east) elevation approached by flight of nine cut-limestone steps with replacement glazed uPVC panelled door. Interior with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set back from road in own grounds.

Built for Lord Hamilton (n. d.), according to local tradition thereby explaining the distinctive H-shaped plan form, an elegantly-composed house of the middle size represents an important element of the mid eighteenth-century architectural heritage of County Kilkenny. Classically-detailed the architectural design value of the composition is identified by refined dressings displaying high quality stone masonry including an elegant portico. Having undergone one period of extensive renovation whereby much of the original fabric was replaced with inappropriate modern articles a further restoration project presently (2004-5) underway seeks to reinstate fittings alluding to the historic models on site, thereby restoring the integrity of the composition. Forming the centrepiece of a substantial landholding (including 12402015/KK-20-15) the resulting assemblage forms an appealing cluster making a positive impression in the rural landscape: the ruinous remains of the sixteenth-century Clifden Castle in the grounds survive as an important reminder of the long-standing legacy of the site.