Latimerstown House

Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1868, on a rectangular plan with single-bay two-storey side elevations. Occupied, 1901. Leased, 1911. Hipped slate roof with clay ridge tiles, replacement paired rendered central chimney stacks having concrete capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging eaves on moulded rendered cornice retaining cast-iron downpipes. Creeper- or ivy-covered rendered, ruled and lined walls with rusticated rendered piers to corners. Segmental-headed central door opening with cut-granite step threshold, doorcase with three quarter-engaged Tuscan columns on plinths supporting monolithic cornice on blind frieze, and moulded rendered surround framing timber panelled door having fanlight. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (ground floor) with cut-granite sills, timber cruciform mullions, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four timber sash windows having overlights. Square-headed window openings in bipartite arrangement (first floor) with cut-granite sills, timber mullions, and concealed dressings framing four-over-four timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set in landscaped grounds.

A farmhouse reconstructed by Robert Allen (1816-86) representing an integral component of the mid nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one most likely abutting an earlier house 'of which he has lately become proprietor and of which he was formerly tenant' (Hickey alias Doyle 1868, 85), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds; the compact plan form centred on a Classically-detailed doorcase not only demonstrating good quality workmanship, but also showing a pretty fanlight; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" or reception rooms defined by a variation on the so-called "Wexford Window" sash-and-overlight glazing patterns; and the slightly oversailing roofline. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, including some crown or cylinder glazing panels in hornless sash frames: meanwhile, contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, adjacent outbuildings (extant 1840) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Allen family including William Henry Allen (1858-1931), 'Farmer [and] Oil-Cake Mill Agent' (NA 1901); the Walker family of Ballyconnick House (see 15704138); and the FitzHerbert family including Captain Cecil Henry FitzHerbert (1883-1952).