The Manse

Detached three-bay two-storey manse, built 1897, on a rectangular plan with single-bay (north) or two-bay (south) two-storey side elevations. Occupied 1901; 1911. Sold, 1978. Hipped slate roof with clay ridge tiles, paired red brick Running bond central chimney stacks having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta pots, and cast-iron rainwater goods on paired "Cyma Recta" or "Cyma Reversa" consoles retaining cast-iron downpipes. Rendered, ruled and lined walls on rendered chamfered plinth. Camber-headed central door opening with chamfered timber mullions on cut-granite step threshold supporting chamfered timber transom, and concealed dressings framing glazed timber panelled door having sidelights on panelled risers below overlight. Camber-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing one-over-one timber sash windows. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set back from line of street in landscaped grounds with rosette-detailed cast-iron piers to perimeter having ball finial-topped panelled pyramidal capping supporting rosette-detailed cast-iron gate.

A manse representing an important component of the late nineteenth-century built heritage of Gorey with the architectural value of the composition confirmed by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form centred on a restrained doorcase; and the diminishing in scale of the "swept" openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior, thus upholding the character or integrity of a manse forming part of a self-contained group alongside the adjacent Avenue House (see 15601075) with the resulting ensemble making a pleasing visual statement in The Avenue. NOTE: Occupied (1901) by Reverend Henry McConnell (----), 'Methodist Minister' (NA 1901); and (1911) by Reverend Charles Augustine Cronhelm (1863-1927), 'Methodist Minister' (NA 1911).