Fota House

Detached gate lodge, built c. 1820, comprising canted block to front (south-east) elevation and gabled single-bay single-storey wings set at right angles to north-east and south-west elevations. Multiple-bay single-storey extensions to rear (north-west) elevation. Pyramidal slate roof with overhanging timber battened roof. Pitched slate roofs to flanking wings. Tooled limestone walls with dressed limestone platband and plinth. Square-headed blind openings to attic storey. Square-headed openings to front elevation with cut limestone sills and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Recessed from road with dressed limestone sweep walls having cast-iron boundary railings and double-leaf gates with circular-profile carved limestone piers.

Impressive, skilfully executed and largely intact gate lodge to the historically important Fota House demesne, seat of the Barry-Smith family until 1975. The Palladian inspired front elevation of the lodge is classically centred between sets of railings and gate piers and, as noted by Rothery, its domestic function is obscured by the presentation of a blank attic storey, giving it a monumental appearance. Fota House and demesne was enlarged in the 1820s to the designs of Sir Richard Morrison and his son William Vitruvius Morrison, some of the most influential architects in Ireland during the nineteenth century, and this gate lodge was probably constructed at that time. The Fota House demesne lands once comprised the whole island, the survival of its notable demesne structures, distinguished gardens and formal layout adds significantly to Ireland's national heritage.