house

Detached corner-sited five-bay two-storey house on L-shaped plan, built c.1725 and possibly containing earlier fabric. Rear elevation faces over street. Pitched natural and artificial slate roofs with rendered chimneystacks. Projecting chimneybreast to the northeast gable end. Smooth rendered walls to base with roughcast rendered walls over. Square-headed window openings with moulded cut stone sills to the front elevation (south). Replacement windows throughout. Square-headed doorway to the main elevation (south) having a raised cut limestone doorcase with cornice and pulvinated frieze over. Pair of dressed limestone gate piers give access to the front of the house from the west. Located to the east end of Moate at start of former Turnpike Road.

An interesting and unusual house, which retains much of its early form and character. The elaborate cut stone doorcase and the carved stone sills suggest that this house was built in the early-to-mid eighteenth century. However, the steeply pitched roof, the substantial projecting chimneybreast and the orientation of this building away from street all hint at an earlier date, although this is somewhat disguised by the modern render to the walls and other alterations. The position of this house at the entrance to the town from the east and at the start of a turnpike road, maybe significant. The elaborate cut stone doorcase with pulvinated frieze is a notable feature of artistic merit. The cut stone gate piers complete the setting. This curious building is a worthy addition to the historic built fabric of Moate and a worthy addition to the built heritage of Westmeath.