Cragbeg House

Detached three-bay three-storey over basement country house, built c. 1790, having two-bay single-storey wing to west having bow to rear (north) elevation and two-bay single-storey curtain wall to east elevation having lean-to to rear elevation. Pitched slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and overhanging eaves with timber brackets. Limestone cornice surmounted by decorative plinths and lion sculptures. Coursed ashlar limestone walls having limestone plinth course. Lined-and-ruled rendered walls to rear elevation. Square-headed opening to second floor with three-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Square-headed openings to first and ground floors having six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Square-headed opening to west wind with replacement uPVC windows and limestone sills. Square-headed openings to curtain wall having limestone sills, now blocked up. Square-headed openings to basement, rear elevation with limestone sills, six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and cast-iron sill guards. Square-headed openings to ground floor, rear elevation having limestone sills, six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows and render entablatures. Square-headed openings to bow, rear elevation with replacement uPVC windows and limestone sills. Square-headed opening having cut limestone surround with carved entablature and replacement uPVC door. Flight of limestone steps to entrance having cast-iron railings. Round-headed opening to east elevation, basement with glazed overlight over timber battened door. Single-storey gate lodge to south having pitched slate roof and red brick chimneystack. Roughcast rendered walls. Pair of square-profile ashlar limestone piers to south with carved caps, plinths and flanking square-headed pedestrian entrances with single-leaf spear-headed cast-iron gates. Rubble limestone sweeping walls with limestone copings terminating in second pair of piers.

The elegantly composed, simple classical proportions of Cragbeg House are enhanced and enlivened by the diminishing windows and finely cut limestone doorcase, which gives the façade a sense of restrained grandeur. The house retains a good example of flanking lower wings, with the east wing comprising a curtain wall to maintain symmetry. The house has been carefully maintained ensuring the original character of the building now remains substantially intact. The building, occupying an elevated site recessed from the road, forms a pleasant and interesting group complete with gate lodge and finely crafted piers.