Clonlara House

Terraced three-bay three-storey over basement house, c.1770, possibly originally detached on a symmetrical plan retaining early fenestration with four-storey rear elevation to south-west. Reroofed, c.1970. Refenestrated to basement, c.1990. Gable-ended roof. Replacement artificial slate, c.1970. Clay ridge tiles. Rendered chimney stacks. Replacement uPVC rainwater goods, c.1990. Roughcast walls. Unpainted. Rendered quoins to corners. Rendered string/sill courses to each floor. Rendered walls to basement. Painted. Square-headed window openings. Stone sills (continuing into rendered sill course to each floor). 6/6 and 3/3 timber sash windows with exposed sash boxes (later 2/2 timber sash window, c.1860, to left top floor). Replacement uPVC casement windows, c.1990, to basement. Square-headed door opening to centre ground floor approached by flight of steps. Timber panelled door. Overlight. Fixed-pane sidelights. Set back from line of road. Section of wrought iron railings to basement on render plinth. Tarmacadam verge to front.

This house is a fine, Classically-balanced and symmetrically-planned substantial Georgian house of the late eighteenth century that has been well-maintained to present an early aspect. Of social and historic significance, the house represents a component of the early development of the historic core of Rathangan in the mid to late eighteenth century. The scale and fine detailing of the house suggest that it was originally built by a patron of high status in the locality, and it is therefore of social interest, representing the formal architecture employed by the middle class at the time. Composed of graceful proportions, the house has a positive impact on the streetscape of Leinster Street and forms a neat group with further sophisticated buildings on the street. The house retains many important early or original features and materials, including multi-pane timber sash fenestration with exposed sash boxes, and sections of wrought iron railings to the basement. Without extraneous ornamentation, the only concession to decoration is through the use of render to form quoins and continuous string/sill courses. The house is an important component of the architectural heritage of Rathangan and has been well-maintained for the benefit of future generations – the retention of an early external aspect suggests that the interior may retain early or original features and fittings of significance.