Proules House

Detached five-bay two-storey former fever hospital, dated 1842, having gabled entrance breakfront to front elevation, and full-height two-storey return to rear with lean-to additions to rear of front block and gabled addition slightly recessed to south gable of return. Now in use as Town Council offices. Pitched slate roof having red brick chimneystacks, tooled limestone copings, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Squared and coursed limestone walls having tooled limestone string courses, plaque over front entrance inscribed 'Fever Hospital 1842', set on tooled limestone plinth. Square-headed window openings having limestone sills and red brick block-and-start surrounds with recent timber windows. Square-headed window openings to upper part of all gables having limestone sills and red brick block-and-start surrounds with timber louvres. Front entrance having chamfered tooled limestone doorcase flanked by sidelights, with continuous stone hood-moulding, Tudor-arch door opening with double-leaf timber panelled door, with stone steps. Building set within its own grounds with rubble stone walls to front boundary and east elevation.

This former fever hospital is testimony to the work of the Poor Law Unions in caring for the destitute of Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century. The survival of its clear form and much of its original fabric enhances the architectural significance of the building. The well executed and finely carved limestone facades, doorcase and date plaque are representative of fine craftsmanship. The rubble stone wall to the front boundary adds pleasantly to the context of the building.