Creacon House

Detached five-bay two-storey over part raised basement farmhouse with half-dormer attic, extant 1777, on a T-shaped plan with single-bay (single-bay deep) full-height central return (east). Sold, 1822. Occupied, 1901. Sold, 1901. Occupied, 1911. Pitched slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on hipped slate roof (east), clay ridge tiles, concrete or rendered coping to gables with rendered chimney stacks to apexes having cornice capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on rendered eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Roughcast wall to front (west) elevation on cut-granite chamfered cushion course on cement rendered base; rendered surface finish (remainder) with slate hung surface finish to rear (east) elevation. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of concrete steps between wrought iron railings, cut-granite block-and-start surround centred on keystone framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six or three-over-three (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows including some six-over-six or three-over-three (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows without horns. Segmental-headed central door opening to rear (east) elevation with concealed dressings framing timber boarded door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing six-over-six or three-over-three (half-dormer attic) timber sash windows centred on six-over-six or two-over-two timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds with rendered piers to perimeter having concrete capping supporting looped wrought iron double gates.

A farmhouse representing an important component of the mid eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of south County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one annotated as "Creacan [of] Pickering Esquire" by Taylor and Skinner (1778 pl. 151), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking rolling grounds with an undulating backdrop in the near distance; the symmetrical footprint centred on a Gibbsian-like doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship in a silver-grey granite, but also showing a simple radial fanlight; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression; and the high pitched roof. Having been well maintained, the form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including a partial slate hung surface finish widely regarded as an increasingly endangered hallmark of the architectural heritage of County Wexford: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent limewashed outbuildings (----) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Carr family including George Whitmore Carr (1846-1908), 'Gentleman Farmer [and] Land Agent' (NA 1901).