Creagh House

Remains of country house, built 1874-6; extant 1894, including: Detached three-bay two-storey wing originally forming part of larger six-bay two-storey "Garden Front" centred on single-bay three-stage breakfront "tower" on a square plan. Occupied, 1901. In occasional use, 1911. For sale, 1921. Sold, 1927. Resold, 1928. Adapted to alternative use, 1929. Burnt, 1939. Truncated, 1940, producing present composition. Closed, 1954[?]. Adapted to alternative use, 1959. Vacant, 1991. For sale, 2011. Set in unkempt landscaped grounds with wrought iron "estate railings" to avenue.

The abbreviated "Garden Front" of a country house erected to a design by Samuel Ussher Roberts (1821-1900) of Burlington Road, Dublin (Irish Builder 1875, 5), representing an important component of the later nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of south County Mayo with the architectural value of the surviving portion, one succeeding a 'nicely laid out cottage residence' annotated as "Creagh [of] Cuff Esquire" by Taylor and Skinner (1778 pl. 213), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking a broad deer park with glimpses of Lough Mask and its mountainous backdrop in the distance; the multi-faceted rectilinear plan form originally centred on an imposing tower; and the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" defined by Classically-detailed bay windows. Although dramatically reduced in size following a calamitous fire (1939), and more recently the subject of a prolonged period of unoccupancy, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and sleek plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, a nearby farmyard complex (see 31311709); a farm steward's house (see 31311710); a walled garden (see 31311711); and distant gate lodges (see 31311801; 31311802), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a much diminished estate having historic connections with Captain Charles Howe Cuff Knox JP DL (1841-1921), one-time High Sheriff of County Mayo (fl. 1873).