Gibbingsgrove House

Farmyard complex, dated 1835, having blocks to three sides. Detached fourteen-bay stable block to west side comprising slightly-projecting five-bay two-storey block flanked by single-storey blocks, four-bay to north and five-bay to south. Pitched slate roofs with truncated pedimented parapet to centre block, surmounted by cut limestone bellcote, latter comprising piers supporting round-headed arch and having imposts, cast-iron bell and weather vane. Painted brick chimneystacks to gables of middle block, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Painted roughcast rendered walls with moulded render and timber clock face to pediment, and some blind square-headed openings to first floor of central block. Square-headed window openings to middle block and to south block, having tooled cut limestone sills, with timber casement windows, centre block having three-pane to first floor and two-over-two pane to ground floor, and south block having timber battened shutters. Oeil-de-boeuf openings to upper façades of flanking blocks, with fixed timber windows. One six-over-six pane timber sliding sash window to rear. Elliptical-arch carriage entrance to central bay having tooled cut limestone surround and double-leaf timber battened doors. Square-headed door openings having tooled cut limestone surround and timber battened doors. Multiple-bay single-storey building to south side of yard having pitched slate roof, rendered stone walls, elliptical-arch carriage entrance with cut limestone surround having imposts, and square-headed door and window openings. Multiple-bay single-storey building to east side of yard having pitched slate roof, rendered stone walls, brick chimneystack and square-headed door and window openings. Cobbled stone yard is sited to south of country house, with rendered gate piers surmounted by carved sandstone lion statues and having double-leaf and pedestrian wrought-iron gates to north of yard. Remains of walled garden to south-east, of rubble limestone construction and having Venetian-style door opening with red brick surround.

This attractive yard of farm buildings is one of the surviving demesne features on the Gibbingsgrove House estate. This house was the seat of the Gibbings family of Somerset who arrived in Ireland under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and were granted land in Maine South under Charles II. Built to a very high standard, the influence of the Palladian style is visible in the composition of higher central block flanked by lower flanking wings, as well as in detailing such as an unusual pediment. Fine materials and craftsmanship are evident in the various blocks, with a cut limestone bellcote and tooled limestone door surrounds. The house and its associated outbuildings, gate lodge, walled garden and gates occupy a pleasant site in the landscape and contribute to the local architectural heritage of the area.