Copsetown Abbey

Ranges of outbuildings, erected c. 1770, to rear of Copsetown Abbey. Rectangular-plan cobbled courtyard to rear surrounded by outbuildings. Comprises three-bay single-storey outbuilding to south of house. Pitched slate roof having clay ridge tiles. Roughcast rendered walls. Square-headed window opening having replacement uPVC door. Square-headed door openings having timber battened door and half glazed timber panelled door. Five-bay two-storey south range. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles. Coursed limestone rubble walls. Blocked round-headed window to east gable having decorative stone surround and reused architectural fragment above. Square-headed window openings having limestone surrounds and timber fittings. Square-headed door opening having tooled limestone surround and timber battened door. Elliptical-headed carriage arch openings, with one double-leaf timber battened door. Seven-bay two-storey west range having pitched slate roof with three-storey single-bay centre gable fronted section. Decorative limestone coping and brackets to gable. Circular window opening to second-storey having timber fittings. Round-headed window opening to first floor centre having timber fittings. Square-headed window openings to first floor having timber fittings. Square-headed window openings to ground floor having limestone surrounds and timber fittings, one with remains of timber sliding sash window. Square-headed door openings having limestone surrounds and timber battened doors. Eight-bay two-storey north range with five-bay first floor having pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles. Coursed limestone rubble walls. Round-headed window to east gable having decorative stone surround temporary timber fittings. Square-headed window openings having limestone surrounds and timber fittings. Square-headed door opening having tooled limestone surround and timber battened door. Elliptical-headed carriage arch to west having tooled limestone surround and double-leaf timber battened door. Square-headed door openings with limestone surround having timber battened door. Rendered cart loading platform approached by three rendered steps to south elevation. Recent wall dividing yard in two having wrought-iron pedestrian gate. Coursed rubble wall to south-west of house. Limestone ashlar entrance walls topped with decorative wrought-iron railings terminating in square-plan limestone ashlar piers with two leaf decorative wrought-iron gates.

This courtyard of eighteenth-century outbuildings to Copsetown Abbey are of high quality, their symmetrical organisation displaying a formality associated with country houses. Fine craftsmanship is everywhere evident in the stonework and details, especially of openings, whether simple windows or doorways or the more monumental vehicular entrances. The centrepiece of the courtyard is undoubtedly the west range with its taller pedimented middle bay and this is emphasised by the symmetrical arrangement of the other ranges and of the dwelling house facing it across the courtyard.