Kells Courthouse — Headfort Place

Detached three-bay (six-bay deep) two-storey pedimented courthouse, designed 1802, on a H-shaped plan; three-bay two-storey rear (east) elevation. Reconstructed, 1948, producing present composition. Adapted to alternative use, 1999. Pitched (gable-fronted) slate roof on a H-shaped plan with ridge tiles, margined tooled limestone ashlar chimney stacks on margined tooled limestone ashlar bases having "Cavetto" stringcourses below capping supporting terracotta octagonal pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-limestone eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Margined tooled limestone ashlar wall to front (west) elevation on benchmark-inscribed margined tooled limestone ashlar chamfered plinth with "Cavetto"-detailed pediment on blind frieze; repointed coursed rubble stone walls (remainder) on margined tooled cut-limestone chamfered plinth with hammered limestone flush quoins to corners. Round-headed central door opening in round-headed recess approached by flight of three cut-limestone steps with margined tooled limestone ashlar voussoirs centred on cut-limestone fluted keystone framing timber panelled double doors having overlight. Round-headed flanking window openings in round-headed recesses with cut-limestone sills, and margined tooled limestone ashlar voussoirs centred on cut-limestone fluted keystones framing twenty-four-over-twenty-four timber sash windows having overlights. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with thumbnail beaded cut-limestone sill course, and margined tooled cut-limestone keystones framing twenty-four-over-twenty-four timber sash windows. Square-headed window openings (side elevations) with cut-limestone sills, and margined tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds framing twenty-four-over-twenty-four timber sash windows. Round-headed blind window openings (first floor) with cut-limestone sills, and hammered limestone block-and-start surrounds framing coursed rubble stone infill. Round-headed central door opening to rear (east) elevation with two cut-limestone steps, and cut-limestone surround centred on keystone framing timber panelled door having overlight. Round-headed flanking window openings with cut-limestone sills, and hammered limestone block-and-start surrounds framing twenty-four-over-twenty-four timber sash windows having overlights. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with margined tooled cut-limestone sill course, and hammered limestone block-and-start surrounds framing twenty-four-over-twenty-four timber sash windows. Interior including central courtroom with timber panelled doors centred on elliptical-headed niche, and picture railing below beamed ceiling. Set in landscaped grounds on a wedge-shaped site.