Mount Anna

Detached three-bay two-storey over part raised basement farmhouse, extant 1750, on a cruciform plan centred on single-bay full-height breakfront on an engaged half-octagonal plan; three-bay full-height rear (east) elevation centred on single-bay full-height breakfront on a bowed plan. Occupied, 1911. Sold, 1936. Renovated, ----. Replacement hipped artificial slate roof on a cruciform plan centred on half-octagonal artificial slate roof (west) or half-conical artificial slate roof (east), clay ridge tiles, cement rendered chimney stacks having "Cavetto"-detailed stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal or tapered pots, and uPVC rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on rendered red brick header bond stepped eaves. Replacement cement rendered battered walls on rendered chamfered plinth. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of four cut-granite steps between wrought iron railings, concealed dressings framing replacement glazed aluminium door having overlight. Square-headed flanking window openings with stepped sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes. Square-headed window openings centred on segmental-headed window opening (first floor) with stepped sills, and concealed dressings framing two-over-two timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings to rear (east) elevation centred on segmental-headed window openings (breakfront) with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing replacement aluminium casement windows replacing two-over-two timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): bow-ended central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters with carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors. Set in landscaped grounds with rendered piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping.

A farmhouse representing an important component of the eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of County Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one allegedly erected by Arthur Gore (1703-73), first Earl of Arran (Rowe and Scallan 2004, 743), confirmed by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on panoramic vistas overlooking rolling grounds with the River Slaney estuary in the near distance; the compact symmetrical footprint centred on a polygonal breakfront; the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression with the principal "apartments" defined by a drum-like bow; and the high pitched roofline. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior: the gradual introduction of replacement fittings to the openings, however, has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of the composition. Furthermore, nearby outbuildings (extant 1903) continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with a succession of tenants including the family of Colonel Jonas Watson (1748-98), killed at The Three Rocks during the 1798 Insurrection; Colonel Narcissus Huson (Atkinson 1815, 521); and Arthur Craven Barlow (Fraser 1844, 118); Alderman John Greene JP DL (1803-90) of Arran Cottage (see 15703759; Lacy 1863, 459); and the Edge family including John Dallas Edge (1841-1904), 'Farmer late of Mount Anna Crossabeg County Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1904, 135).