House in Lenan, County Donegal

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Detached three-bay single-storey vernacular house, built c. 1850, with windbreak porch to front, single-bay extensions to both gables, now disused. Round pitched flax thatched roof with latticed restraining ropes and timber pegs, collapsed on south extension; barrel-vaulted tar with concrete gable coping to north extension, limewashed chimneystacks to gables. Limewashed rubble stone walls. Square-headed window openings with timber two-over-two pane horned timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed door opening with replacement timber panelled door. Set within own grounds with four-bay outbuilding to east having barrel-vaulted tar with concrete gable copings, rubble stone walls, and square-headed openings.

early form and character, and is an appealing feature in the scenic rural landscape to the west of Clonmany, located close to the Lough Swilly coastline. Its integrity is enhanced by the retention of much of its salient fabric including timber sliding sash windows and battened timber door. Of particular interest in the survival of the thatch roof, although now collapsing, 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 Lenan. 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 windbreak porch, and irregularly-spaced window openings. The low elongated form of this building, and the position of the chimneystacks, indicates that it was extended along its length at some stage, which is another feature of extended vernacular tradition. The form of this building, having chimneystacks to the gable ends and a central doorway to the original building, suggests that this building is of the ‘direct entry’ type that is characteristic of the vernacular tradition in north-west Ireland. The interesting collection of single-storey outbuildings with barrel-vaulted tarred felt roofs add significantly to the setting, and are important survivals in there own rights. This house represents a fine surviving example of a once ubiquitous building type in the rural Irish countryside, and is a valuable addition to the vernacular heritage of County Donegal. This building and complex contributes character to its rugged and isolated surroundings.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 40900904

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Photo credits

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Michael Dibb, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Andreas F. Borchert, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Andreas F. Borchert, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Carroll Pierce, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
N Chadwick, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
David Ayrton, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
N Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

outbuilding271 yd

Explorer Tom An older survey described Outbuilding in Lenan with thatched ends pinned by stone pegs and lattice ropes, and a tar roof partly collapsed in the middle. The two thatched ends tell the damaged centre, 'You need better pegs, lad.'

Gap of Mamore ViewpointViewpoint · 1273 yd

Explorer Tom Gap of Mamore Viewpoint sits along the Wild Atlantic Way, offering a dramatic look at this famous gap in County Donegal.

Lenan FortBattery · 1421 yd

Explorer Tom Lenan Fort has a rock-cut ditch that was seven metres and seventy centimetres wide, which is basically a swimming pool carved straight into the hillside. I picture myself standing at the edge, trying to decide if I could cannonball across without getting damp socks.

Mamore HillMountain / peak · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Right then, we've got ourselves a proper mountain called Mamore Hill tucked away in County Donegal. I imagine it's the sort of peak that looks like it’s been napping through the centuries, waiting for someone curious enough to poke its nose and see what’s over the ridge.

Mamore GapViewpoint · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Mamore Gap provides a scenic pause point, offering lovely views over the surrounding hills and valleys in County Donegal.

Saint Éigneach's WellHoly well · 1.3 mi

Explorer Tom Saint Éigneach's Well sits right on top of Mamore Gap, where pilgrims used to go barefoot around seven cairns. That’s a serious blister-fest, but apparently worth it for the spiritual glow-up at this mountain summit. There’s even a Lourdes grotto and Padre Pio statue nearby, so it’s got a very eclectic holy vibe.

Raghtin MoreMountain / peak · 1.8 mi

Explorer Tom Raghtin More stands tall in Inishowen, reaching a respectable 502 meters according to our notes. It’s not just a peak; it’s the sort of place where the wind really tells you who’s boss up here.

Glenevin WaterfallWaterfall · 2.8 mi

Explorer Tom Glenevin Waterfall offers a stunning view of the falls in County Donegal, a natural spectacle waiting to be discovered.

Glenevin Waterfall, ClonmanyWaterfall · 2.8 mi

Explorer Tom Glenevin Waterfall sits at the head of a maintained walk near Clonmany, one of the few falls with a proper path.

Rusty NailPub · 2.9 mi

Explorer Tom Rusty Nail in County Donegal likely has a nail so rusty it’s got its own personality. I suspect the pub is held together by hope and that single, stubborn nail.

Glenevin Waterfall WalkOfficial walking route · 3.2 mi

Explorer Tom Let’s take a quick, easy stroll on the Glenevin Waterfall Walk, a short 0.7 km route that leads you right to the edge of a rushing stream.

Clonmany Early Church GraveyardGraveyard · 3.4 mi

Explorer Tom Clonmany Early Church Graveyard hides a stone with two cupmarks called St. Colmcille's knee-prints. I reckon a kneeling saint would need much larger knees to leave that kind of impression, but tradition is a stubborn thing.

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