Seat or bench in Ardagh Demesne, County Longford

What is recorded here

Seat or bench in Ardagh Demesne sounds like somewhere to rest your legs, until you see the grand stone arch and stepped parapet. You sit down to take a stone out of your shoe and look up to find yourself available for coronation.

Single-bay pedestrian shelter, erected c. 1863, attached to west wall of St. Patrick's Church of Ireland church (13312032). Coursed and snecked rock-faced limestone walls, with crow-stepped stone parapet and coping. Pointed segmental-arch opening with recessed order. Carved stone seat set into rear wall. Stone flagged paving to ground. Plaques to rear wall commemorating Tidy Town competition wins. Faces directly into village square, to the centre of Ardagh.

An unusual and functional feature, which occupies a prominent position in the centre of Ardagh Village. It continues a tradition of providing a travellers rest, but does so in a grand form. High quality stonemasonry and good design are apparent. It was possibly erected to designs by the architect James Rawson Carroll (1830 – 1911), who carried out various works at Ardagh and at Ardagh House for Sir Thomas Fetherston between c. 1860 – 1865. This quirky and endearing feature forms an important part of the streetscape of Ardagh, which is one of the most charming villages in the midlands.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 13312038

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