house

Detached five-bay two-storey over part-raised basement double-pile house, c.1790, retaining early fenestration with round-headed door opening to centre approached by flight of steps. Reroofed, c.1960. Now in part use as offices. Gable-ended double-pile (M-profile) roof. Replacement artificial slate. Concrete ridge tiles. Rendered chimney stacks. Overhanging timber eaves. Replacement iron rainwater goods, c.1960. Roughcast walls. Unpainted. Rendered quoins to corners. Square-headed window openings. Stone sills. 2/2 timber sash windows. Round-headed door opening approached by flight of stone steps. Moulded rendered panelled pilaster surround with entablature. Timber panelled door. Gothic-style fanlight with moulded archivolt having keystone. Set back from road. Sections of iron railings to open basement with Fleur-de-Lys finials.

This house is a fine and imposing late eighteenth-century late-Georgian substantial town house of Classically-inspired proportions. The scale of the building, together with its positioning just off the road front, suggest that it was originally built by a successful businessman or local dignitary of considerable stature in the community – this is emphasised by the fine detailing throughout the house, most notably the decorative rendered doorcase and ornate iron railings to the front. The house retains much of its original character, features and materials, including early fenestration, doorcase and fittings. Located at the southern end of the main street, when coupled with the presbytery opposite (11808012/KD-14-08-12), the house lends an air of distinction through sophisticated architecture to the otherwise unassuming rural tone of the buildings of Clane.