Glin Castle

Detached four-bay two-storey gate lodge, built c. 1825. Comprising crenellated elliptical-headed integral carriage arch having double-leaf cast-iron spear-headed gates and flanked by three-stage crenellated tower to north and two-stage crenellated tower to south with single-bay single-storey addition to south with lean-to to east elevation. Single-pitched roof to addition and flat roof to lean-to. Roughcast rendered walls having limestone cappings to crenellations and stringcourses. Blind cross loops and blind arrow slits to carriage arch. Quatrefoil window opening to north tower, third stage having timber fittings, cross loops to second and first stage with inset windows. Pointed arch openings to south tower having Y-tracery overlights over timber casement windows with limestone sills. Pointed arch opening to addition having bipartite Y-tracery six-over-four pane timber sliding sash window with limestone sill. Square-headed opening to addition, south elevation with six-over-six pane timber sliding sash window and limestone sill. Pointed arch opening to south tower, rear (west) elevation having Y-tracery glazed and timber panelled door. Pointed arch opening to north tower, rear elevation with timber battened door.

This impressive gate lodge, built in a Georgian Gothick style and known as "Village Lodge", successfully combines a gateway and flanking gate lodge in an integrated composition. Its layout is interesting with the combination of mock tower to one side and inhabited tower to the other. It retains most of its original form and massing with features such as the sash windows and such decorative elements as the blind cross loops. The decoration follows a familiar theme and, like the main house, is rendered and painted white, which emphasises the cardboard effect of the battlements. The gate lodge forms an integral component of the Glin Castle estate and forms an appealing feature in the townscape of Glin.