House in Aghadreenan, County Donegal

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Detached three-bay single-storey direct-entry vernacular house with attic level, built c. 1820, having central flat-roofed windbreak porch to the front elevation (south-east), single-storey flat-roofed extension to the north-east, and with single-bay single-storey flat-roofed addition to the rear (north-west). Now out of use. Pitched flax thatch roof having overhanging eaves, metal pegs below eaves level and to gable ends for securing ropes over thatch, and having rendered chimneystacks to the gable ends (north-east and south-west). Roughcast rendered walls over smooth rendered plinth course. Square-headed window opening having replacement timber casement windows and painted concrete sills. Square headed door opening to windbreak porch having battened timber door. Set back from road in own grounds to the east of Rosnakill and to the south end of the Fanad Peninsula. Detached four-bay single-storey outbuilding\byre to the north-west having pitched flax thatched roof with pegs below eaves level, rubble stone walls, and square-headed doorways with battened timber doors. Additional single-storey outbuildings to site having pitched corrugated with roof with raised rendered verges to gable ends, rubble stone walls, and square-headed openings with timber fittings. Site approached via narrow tree-lined laneway from the east. Gravel forecourt to south-east.

Although no longer occupied, this charming and well-maintained thatched vernacular house retains its early form and character, and is an appealing feature in the rural landscape to the west of Rosnakill. Modest in scale, it exhibits the simple and functional form of vernacular building in Ireland. It retains some characteristic features of the vernacular tradition to the area including a windbreak porch. Of particular interest in the survival of the flax thatch roof, although recently renewed, which is now sadly becoming increasingly rare in Donegal. The rounded roof is a typical feature of thatched houses located close to the sea in exposed areas in the north-west of Ireland, while the pegs to the eaves were used to tie ropes (and sometimes nets) over the roof to secure it against the prevailing winds, as is the case here at Aghadreenan. The form of this building and location of the chimneystacks suggests that this building is of the ‘direct entry’ type that is characteristic of the vernacular tradition in north-west Ireland. The outbuildings to site, particularly that thatched outbuilding, add significantly to the context and setting, and is an important vernacular survival in its own right. This house represents a fine surviving example of a once ubiquitous building type in the rural Irish countryside, and is one of the better and more attractive surviving examples of its type in County Donegal.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40901716

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Picture notes

Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Richard Webb, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Rossographer, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Computer-made picture. It does not show this mountain top.
Ronnie Nijboer, Wikimedia Commons · CC0
MPF, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Standing stone in AghadreenanStanding stone · 275 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Aghadreenan has the year 1819 carved right into its face, which feels like it’s showing off a very specific birthday. I bet the Dill family thought they were being super modern by marking it with such precise numbers.

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in AghadreenanFairy fort / earthen ringfort · 473 ydComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Aghadreenan's raised earthen ringfort had two breaks in its surrounding bank when surveyed. The eastern gap was about two metres wide; the southern one was described as modern. The south break is a latecomer, so it cannot by itself tell us how people entered the older enclosure. Steep slopes flank its ridge.

Ardroe CottageHouse · 671 yd

Explorer Tom Ardroe Cottage has little metal pegs sticking out of its thatched eaves! Built around 1780, they look like giant safety pins holding the whole roof together. I wonder if anyone ever swung from them to reach the chimney pot?

New BridgeBridge · 1522 yd

Explorer Tom New Bridge has a V-shaped stone nose pointing at the sea! Built around 1860, I wonder if the tide ever tried to bite that pointy bit? It looks like it’s daring the waves to come closer.

PortsalonOfficial bathing water · 2.0 mi

Explorer Tom Portsalon runs in a wide sandy curve along Lough Swilly, with Knockalla rising behind it. I can almost see a giant pencil trying to draw that line in one stroke. That's the bit that grabs me: sand, water and mountains making one huge sweep, without needing a beauty contest to tell me so.

Moross CastleCastle, tower house · 2.3 mi

Explorer Tom Moross Castle was built in 1532 and sits on a tiny rocky island connected by a causeway. By 1622, someone had slapped a thatched roof on the ruins while it lay waste, which is peak medieval DIY. Only the southwest corner survives now, but that narrow causeway makes it feel like you’re walking onto a very defensive boat.

Ballymastocker StrandViewpoint · 2.6 mi

Explorer Tom Ballymastocker Strand is just vibing by itself in County Donegal today. It looks like it’s waiting for a film crew that never shows up. It’s the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday feel like a proper adventure, so don’t overthink it.

Wild Atlantic Way:Ballymastocker StrandVisitor information · 2.6 mi

Explorer Tom This sign for Ballymastocker Strand sits proudly above the beach, inviting you to step off the Wild Atlantic Way and into the sand.

Cnoc na BoirneMountain / peak · 2.6 miComputer-made picture

Explorer Tom Cnoc na Boirne is probably just a hill being lazy about its name. It sounds like a place where cows go to think deep thoughts. Have a wander and a wonder, maybe see if any cows are doing philosophy.

Cnoc ColbhaMountain / peak · 2.6 miComputer-made picture

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Wych Elm2.8 mi

Explorer Tom Wych Elm five in County Donegal is being extra dramatic about its location. It thinks it's the last one standing, which is very noble but also exhausting. Permission required for eye contact. Tell it to take a breath.

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