Park Cottage

Detached three-bay (two-bay deep) single-storey house with half-dormer attic, extant 1840, on a square plan. Sold, 1976. Hipped slate roof on a quadrangular plan with clay ridge tiles, paired rendered central chimney stacks having shallow capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on overhanging timber box eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Creeper- or ivy-covered rusticated rendered wall to front (east) elevation with "Acanthus"-detailed cornice on basket-and-oak leaf-detailed frieze; rendered surface finish (remainder). Ogee-headed central door opening approached by platform of three cut-granite steps, doorcase with fluted engaged colonettes on cut-granite padstones supporting rope twist-detailed cornice, and moulded rendered surround framing replacement timber panelled double doors having sidelights on garland-detailed risers below overlight. Ogee-headed flanking window openings in bipartite arrangement with cut-granite sills, timber mullions, and moulded rendered surrounds framing four-over-four timber sash windows having overlights. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber Classical-style surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, and moulded plasterwork cornice to ceiling; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds.

A house representing an important component of the early nineteenth-century domestic built heritage of the suburban outskirts of Wexford with the architectural value of the composition, one recalling later gate lodges at Healthfield House (see 15703712); Stokestown House (see 15703404); Raheenduff House (see 15704021); and Lonngraigue House (see 15704028), confirmed by such attributes as the compact near-square plan form centred on an elegant doorcase demonstrating good quality workmanship; the curvilinear profile of the openings underpinning an "exotic" or "picturesque" theme with those openings showing pretty bipartite glazing patterns; and the 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 where contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and plasterwork enrichments, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, a nearby gate lodge (see 15607039) continues to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble having historic connections with the Galvin family including Winnifred Mary Galvin (d. 1919) 'late of Park Cottage Wexford' (Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1919, n.p.).