Ric barracks in Abbeylara, County Longford

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.

What is recorded here

Read the whole record

Corner-sited detached six-bay two-storey former police barrack, built c. 1830, converted to use as shop and retail outlet c. 1925, now disused. Single-bay open porch, c. 1925, located towards the south end of the main façade (east) and two single-storey extensions to rear (west), both having pitched natural slate roofs. Pitched natural slate roof with three (clustered) rendered brick chimneystacks, one to either gable end (north and south) and one to the centre, and with cast-iron rainwater goods. Pebbledashed walls to first floor, with painted render platband, painted smooth rendered ground floor walls and with painted smooth rendered plinth. Rendered eaves course brought around gable ends to form string course. Square-headed window openings with one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows and painted stone sills. Recessed square-headed door opening to porch with half-glazed timber panelled door having decorative stained glass panel. Painted rendered shopfront to the north end of the main façade (east), comprising central square-headed doorway with early timber panelled door, square-headed window openings with fixed-pane display windows and with render pilasters surmounted by pedimented brackets supporting fascia with moulded cornice over. Road-fronted at road-junction at the centre of Abbeylara.

This appealing building, of balanced proportions, occupies a prominent corner site to the centre of Abbeylara village. It retains much of its salient fabric and is enlivened by the render detailing, particularly to the shopfront. The unusual moulded chimneystacks and the natural slate roof give it an attractive roofline. It is of historical importance as a former police barrack. Following the disestablishment of the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1922, the building was purchased by the then sergeant, who opened a confectionery and hardware shop following Independence. The building was modified in the 1920s to suit its new purpose and retains interesting features from that time such as the pleasing and well-detailed shopfront and coloured glass pane to the doorway to the south end. Although currently disused, this building is a worthy addition to the built heritage of Abbeylara, adding historical incident to the centre of the village.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 13306003

Places near here

Photo credits

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Maker not stated on source page, www.tripadvisor.ie
Jonathan Billinger, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Gillaween, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Clarke Steel Fabrication project photograph; individual photographer not stated, www.clarkesteel.ie
Maker not stated on source page, www.geograph.ie
Maker not stated on source page, ar.pinterest.com
Maker not stated on source page, ca.pinterest.com

P.p. MastersonHouse · 79 yd

Explorer Tom P.P. Masterson in Abbeylara has an escape plan hidden behind the render architraves for when the shop gets too much…

Abbeylara GraveyardGraveyard · 162 yd

Explorer Tom Saint Patrick probably walked into Abbeylara Graveyard, saw the layout, and sighed because he knew it would take…

Saint Bernard's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 164 yd

Explorer Tom Saint Bernard's in Abbeylara complains to the council about modern architecture constantly. It fakes side aisles…

Cistercian AbbeyRuins · 218 yd

Explorer Tom Cistercian Abbey would order a chipper at the counter by shouting 'Give me the large fry, extra salt' like it’s a…

Sheela-na-gig in AbbeylaraSheela-na-gig · 235 yd

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Abbeylara has been staring into the void for centuries, and I swear she’s judging your outfit while…

Abbey (in Ruins)Religious house, Cistercian monks · 239 yd

Explorer Tom Abbey in Abbeylara is having a rivalry with a more famous abbey across the country, which is very petty. St Patrick…

M. McCormackHouse · 244 yd

Explorer Tom M. McCormack in Cloonaghmore is proud of its fanlight, which looks like it was designed by someone who really loved…

water pump864 yd

Explorer Tom Water pump in Tonymore South was built by a man who thought everyone needed a dramatic splash to start their day. It…

Oliver Lynch Park, AbbeylaraGAA ground · 1030 yd

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Tonymore NorthFairy fort / earthen ringfort · 1097 yd

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Tonymore North is planning a very comfortable retirement on that ridge. There's just a…

CastleCastle, unclassified · 1511 yd

Explorer Tom Castle: It’s proud of being unlocatable, which is impressive for something that might not even exist anymore. One thing…

Standing stone in ToberfelimStanding stone · 1642 yd

Explorer Tom Standing stone in Toberfelim is being used as a scratching post by very rude cattle. It reviews every visitor who comes…

More historic places in County Longford · All of County Longford

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,095,414 places to discover