Prison or jail in Woodford, County Galway

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Detached three-bay two-storey former bridewell, built c.1800, with pedimented breakfront to front (north) elevation, recent extensions to east and west gables, recessed to latter, and with extensions to rear. Pitched slate roofs with rubble sandstone chimneystacks towards centre. Render removed, exposing rubble sandstone walls. Square-headed window openings with dressed limestone surrounds, cut-stone sills and replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed door opening with pedimented render surround and timber panelled door. Rubble stone boundary walls to front of site.

Although altered and extended, the symmetrical classically inspired eighteenth-century form of this building is still clearly discernable. The small windows to the upper floors are typical of bridewells, which were small gaols usually associated with court houses, for the detention of petty offenders and remand prisoners. Situated on an elevated site, it makes a notable contribution to the townscape.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 30342008

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Photo credits

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
P L Chadwick, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Kmcnamee, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Maker not stated on source page, www.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.irelandhighlights.com
Maker not stated on source page, www.alamy.com

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