Pearse House

Detached six-bay two-storey former officers' mess, built c.1810, with central three-bay recessed porch to front (west) elevation and recent extension to rear (east). Currently in us as office. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls with cut rendered date plaque to front (west) elevation, limestone quoins to first floor and lead clad sill and plinth bands. Square-headed window openings having rendered sills, moulded surrounds and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed door opening with moulded surround having timber panelled door and overlight. Doric columns to porch recess and limestone stepped approach. Set back from street fronting onto courtyard.

This building belongs to an interesting ensemble of former military buildings arranged around a courtyard. Constructed in the early nineteenth century, the military barracks initially provided security for the gunpowder mills located to the north. Together with the related adjacent former barrack buildings, the former mills to the north and Oriel House to the west, it is a reminder of the military history of the area, and of the strategic importance of Ballincollig in European warfare in the nineteenth century.