Bank of Ireland — Main Street

Detached four-bay two-storey bank, built c. 1876, having projecting single-bay single-storey canopies over entrances to either end of the front elevation (west) with balustraded parapets over, and with modern seven-bay single-storey extension to rear (east). Doorway to the north-end of the main elevation (west) now partially infilled with ATM machine inserted. Originally in use as a branch of the Hibernian Bank, now in use as a branch of the Bank of Ireland. Hipped natural slate roof with central stepped coursed and squared rubble granite chimneystack having cut stone coping over, moulded cut stone eaves course, and some cast-iron rainwater goods. Formerly with additional cut stone chimneystacks to the north and south ends of the front elevation, and finials to the apexes of roof hips (removed c. 1993). Squared snecked basalt(?) walls with decoratively carved limestone corbelling to eaves having acanthus motifs, flush sandstone block-and-start quoins to the corners, flush ashlar sandstone stringcourses at window arch springing points at ground and first floor level having moulded sandstone stringcourses over, carved stone sill courses at ground floor and first floor levels, central carved sandstone plaque (on at first floor level reading ‘HJSC’, and with cut limestone fascia over ground floor level having inset panel with carved stone foliate motifs and modern signage. Segmental-headed window openings at first floor having one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows, flush red ashlar sandstone block-and-start surrounds with flush keystone motifs over, moulded reveals, and moulded limestone sills; paired windows to central two bays. Paired round-headed window openings at ground floor level having one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows, flush red ashlar sandstone block-and-start surrounds, flush red ashlar sandstone voussoirs over, central polished marble columns\mullions with polished plinth and carved sandstone foliate capitals over, and with moulded sill course. Square-headed door openings to either end of the front elevation (west) having timber panelled door with plain overlight, moulded and chamfered red ashlar sandstone surrounds with moulded red ashlar sandstone lintels over, polished marble columns to either side (flanking doorway) resting on stepped red ashlar sandstone plinths with carved sandstone Corinthian capitals over surmounted by carved red ashlar sandstone brackets supporting carved ashlar sandstone canopies over with carved sandstone balustraded parapets above. Doorway now to the north now partially infilled (see above). Set slightly back from road to the south end of the centre of Letterkenny facing onto the east side of Upper Main Street. Chamfered ashlar sandstone dwarf plinth wall to front having decorative cast-iron railings over with wrought-iron detailing; pedestrian gateways to either end serving entrances having decorative cast-iron pedestrian gates with wrought-iron detailing. Vehicular gateway to the north end having a pair of decorative red ashlar sandstone gate piers (on square-plan) having steeply sloping gabled capping over with inset trefoil motifs to inner faces, and with a pair of wrought-iron gates. Laneways to either end giving access to the rear (east).