House in Killally

The following description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). It was built in two phases with the original structure consisting of a rectangular house (long axis N-S) and the slightly later addition extending E from the N gable end. The extension was not just built against the gable but incorporated most of the N end of the original house. This gives the front or E side of the house a very unbalanced look, which is exaggerated by the fact that the extension was not built at right angles to the original structure. The entrance way is through a small porch, a later addition, with a fanlight window over the door. Most of the windows have machine-cut limestone sills, which must also be later additions, and wooden lintels. The S and E gables have slight projections; that at the S rises from the ground level, that at the E from the first floor, which carried the chimney flues. At present there are three chimney stacks, none of which appear to relate to the projections on the gables and must be later additions. The house has not been occupied since 1982 and is inaccessible owing to its dangerous condition. However, decorative plasterwork could be seen on the ceiling of the hall. The house is probably no earlier than the beginning of the eighteenth century.