The Rectory in Castledermot

Detached three-bay two-storey rectory, c.1840, on a symmetrical plan retaining early fenestration with door opening to centre, single-bay two-storey flanking canted bay windows and two-bay two-storey side elevation to south. Extended, c.1890, comprising two-bay two-storey gabled end bay to right (north) with three-bay two-storey side elevation to north having three-bay single-storey flat-roofed advanced entrance bay to ground floor. Reroofed, c.1980. Gable-ended roofs on an L-shaped plan (gabled to end bay). Replacement artificial slate, c.1980. Concrete ridge tiles. Rendered chimney stacks. Replacement timber bargeboards, c.1980, to gable. Replacement aluminium rainwater goods, c.1980. Flat-roofed to advanced entrance bay to north. Materials not visible behind parapet wall. Rendered walls. Painted. Cut-stone coping to parapet wall to entrance bay to north. Cut-stone walls to canted bay windows. Square-headed openings (including to canted bay windows). Stone sills. 1/1 timber sash windows. Square-headed door openings (including to entrance bay to north). Replacement glazed timber panelled doors, c.1980, with overlights. Set back from road in own landscaped grounds.Detached three-bay single-storey rubble stone outbuilding with half-attic, c.1840, to west with square-headed integral carriageway to left ground floor. Gable-ended roof with slate (gabled to half-attic window). Clay ridge tiles. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Coursed rubble stone walls. Cut-stone quoins to corners. Square-headed window openings. Stone sills and lintels. 2/2 timber sash windows. Square-headed door opening. Stone lintel. Timber door. Square-headed integral carriageway. Stone lintel. No fittings.Section of rubble stone boundary wall, c.1840, to front (east) with pair of rubble stone piers having cut-stone capping and wrought iron gate.

Castledermot Rectory is a fine and well-maintained substantial house of two periods that is of social interest as the residence for the Church of Ireland clergy in the locality. The rectory is also of some historic interest, representing the expansion of a Church of Ireland presence in the locality. Originally built on a symmetrical plan, the front (east) elevation is dominated by a pair of two-storey canted bay windows, built of fine cut-stone work that attests to the high quality of stone masonry practiced in the locality. The rectory retains most of its original form and character, with early or original features and materials in situ, including timber sash fenestration – the retention of an early external aspect suggests that the interior may also retain original features and fittings of significance. The rectory is complemented by an attractive rubble stone outbuilding to west, which also retains most of its original form and fabric, and is fronted on to the road by a rubble stone boundary wall that is representative of the traditional method of constructing boundary walls. The rectory is an attractive feature on the streetscape of Abbey Street, flanking the road leading out of the town to the south.