House — 17th century in Ballysheil

Situated on the low-lying floodplains of the river Brosna in undulating countryside. Large T-shaped gable ended house (ext. dims. N-S 12m; E-W 16.5m; wall T 0.75m) two storeys high with attic over and basement below and tall slender gable ended chimney stacks with blank arcading which is possibly a later addition. The front of the house consists of four tall rectangular windows at each level with a central door now destroyed with a gabled projection at rear of house directly opposite the door which contained the wooden stairs. The attic is lit by two small windows either side of the gabled chimney flues while the windows at the first floor level on the front are located directly under the eaves. There is a bawn wall attached to the NE angle of the house. All these features would indicate an early 18th-century date for this building, although a late 17th century cannot be ruled out. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011