Fairyhill House

Detached five-bay two-storey double-pile farmhouse with dormer attic, extant 1840, on a rectangular plan. Leased, 1901. Occupied, 1911. Undergoing "restoration", 2007. Replacement pitched double-pile (M-profile) slate roof with ridge tiles, lichen-spotted cut-granite coping to gables with rendered chimney stacks to apexes having concrete capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, rooflights to front (south) pitch, and uPVC rainwater goods on boxed eaves. Gritdashed roughcast wall to front (south) elevation bellcast over rendered plinth with rendered flush band to eaves; limewashed rendered surface finish (remainder). Round- or segmental-headed central door opening with cast-iron bootscrapers originally centred on threshold, remains of timber doorcase with panelled pilasters supporting shallow cornice on flush beaded frieze, and concealed dressings framing replacement timber panelled door having sidelights on panelled risers below fanlight. Square-headed window openings centred on round-headed window opening (first floor) with cut-granite sills, and concealed red brick block-and-start surrounds framing replacement six-over-six sash windows without horns. Set in own grounds.

A farmhouse representing an integral component of the domestic built heritage of the outskirts of Castlebridge with the architectural value of the composition suggested by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking rolling grounds with Wexford Harbour as a backdrop; the compact plan form centred on the remnants of a Classically-detailed doorcase showing a simplified "peacock tail" fanlight; the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression; and the high pitched roofline. A period of neglect in the later twentieth century notwithstanding, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric: however, an unfinished "restoration" may determine the ongoing architectural heritage status of the farmhouse. Furthermore, an adjacent limewashed stable outbuilding (extant 1903) continues to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Culleton family including Michael Culleton (----), 'Farmer' (NA 1911).