Ballaghmore Lower — Ballaghmore Lower

Situated on the brow of a low hill. Shown as a small rectangular building with outbuildings, approached by a narrow tree-lined avenue on 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Site comprises the remains of a plain, rectangular, two-storey, four-bay early eighteenth-century house (ext. dims 10.5m N-S x 6.75m E-W ; wall T 0.68m) with attic, the E wall of which incorporates seventeenth century features. The house is constructed from roughly coursed limestone rubble, formerly rendered with plaster and lined internally with brick at S end. Presently in use as a hayshed. A single storey extension (ext. dims. 10m N-S x 6.75m E-W), of which only the wall footings of the E and W walls are now discernible, adjoins the main body of the house on its N side. Rudimentary remains of wall footings to W of house suggests the former presence of accompanying outbuildings. Walls of house stand to full height with steep pitched N and S gable ends. The E wall is dominated by a broad chimney projection (Wth 2.73m; D 0.55m) positioned at its S end and surmounted by a stout chimney stack trimmed with brick string course. A moulded cornice skirts the top of the E and W sidewalls. At the N end, the house is divided internally by a wall running E-W, the smaller area to the N functioning as a vestibule accomodating what was likely a wooden staircase. There is no clear evidence of the position of the former entrance, but may have been located at the N end of the W wall. Notable lack of windows in the N gable and E wall. The windows in the W wall have brick reveals. A small round headed niche, partially lined with brick, occurs at first floor level at N end of W wall. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007