workhouse, workhouse administration block — The Rock

Detached five-bay two-storey former workhouse administration block with attic storey, dated 1842, built on H-shaped plan having slightly advanced gabled bays to either end of the main elevation (north) and advanced gabled projections to the rear (south) elevation, and with three gablets over the central bays of the main elevation. Later in use as offices, now out of use. Pitched artificial slate roofs with blue-black clay ridge tiles, two decorative redbrick chimneystacks with projecting cut limestone stringcourses and cut stone coping, and having raised cut limestone verges to gable ends (both front and rear) with moulded limestone stone kneeler stones at eaves level. Raised limestone coping over gablets to centre of main elevation at first floor level; moulded kneeler stones above eaves level. Replacement rainwater goods on exposed rafter ends. Tooled snecked dressed squared limestone construction to main elevation (north) over chamfered ashlar limestone plinth course and with moulded limestone stringcourse between ground and first floor levels; roughly coursed squared rubble stone construction to other elevations. Flush tooled limestone quoins to the corners. Square-headed window openings to main elevation (north) having chamfered ashlar limestone surrounds and chamfered limestone sills, roughly dressed and squared limestone surrounds to other elevations. Fixed-pane timber windows at ground floor level having timber mullions and transoms; replacement window openings over at first floor level. Moulded limestone hoodmouldings over central window openings at ground floor level and to projecting end bays at first floor level; decorative label stops to hoodmouldings at ground floor level. Narrow pointed-arch ventilation openings at attic level to gabled end bays to both front (north) and rear (south) elevations having chamfered ashlar limestone surrounds; openings now blocked. Square-headed window openings to the rear elevation at first floor level to projecting end bays having timber mullions and transoms, and the remains of leaded latticed window fittings. Square-headed window openings elsewhere to rear (south) and side elevations (east and west) having two-over-two pane timber sliding sash or replacement window fittings. Some fitting openings now infilled with modern blockwork. Central Tudor-arched/four-centred arched door opening to main elevation (north) having chamfered ashlar limestone surround, cut stone hoodmoulding over with decorative label stops, and timber double-doors with recessed panels. Incised date ‘1842’ over doorway. Square-headed doorway to the centre of the rear (south) elevation having timber panelled door. Set back from road in extensive grounds to the south of Ballyshannon town centre. Yards to front and rear of site. Former workhouse (40852076) adjacent to the south. Coursed rubble stone boundary walls to site; partially cement rendered rubble stone boundary wall to the west. Remains of single-storey outbuildings to west and south-west. Entrance gateway to the east having roughly coursed limestone gate piers and modern metal and timber gates.