Gable House, Monasterevin, a Celtic Tiger property of the late 18th century
I feel like I’m in an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Or perhaps Who Lives In a House Like This? I’ve been digging around on the fabulous resource that is the Griffith Valuations online to uncover some history on Gable House, West End – the northwest end of Main Street – Monasterevin, which has just come on the market. The corner property is probably a former canal merchant’s home with yard, outbuildings and a portion of land on the opposite side of the street, probably intended for use as a garden, overlooking the river Barrow. The property extends to 465 m2 (5000 ft2).
The house would have been built during something akin to the Celtic Tiger years of the era. The extension of the canal to Monasterevin in 1786 would have been an exciting event in the life of the area, leading to the development of industry – Cassidy’s distillery opened in 1784 for example – and the growth of the town. The various Lords Drogheda based at Moore Abbey were generously disposed towards the town of their family seat.
In fact the scale of the property (17 rooms in total, some of them servants’ quarters) is very much in line with what we might expect from a modern Celtic Tiger trophy build!
On Griffiths Valuation, which took place between 1847 and 1864, it looks like the property was owned by Rev Charles Moore and leased to someone by the name of Winter. If you know anyone who could throw any light on Gable House, please point them in my direction.
Monasterevin, the Venice of Ireland
Did you know we have our own Venice here in Ireland? After the floods of the recent weeks, you’d be forgiven for giving the nickname to Galway, Cork or Limerick, but the true pretender to the name is Monasterevin, County Kildare.
The nickname apparently appeared in the nineteenth century, when the Grand Canal had its short-lived heyday and industries popped up around the town making use of the canal as a transport link to Dublin and other towns along the canal network; spurs ran from Monasterevin to Portarlington and Mountmellick for example. It was recently still the case that you could stand on one bridge in the town and see 18 other bridges. Grand Canal …bridges …you can see the origin of the name. Though I haven’t seen any gondolas there myself.
Wanted: someone to restore property to its former glory
The end-of-terrace 3-bay house has many fine period features including tripartite windows with stone sills. The building is symmetrically-planned, centred about a commanding doorway.
The property in general isn’t in the greatest state of repair, unfortunately, but this is a rare opportunity to acquire a period residence with a substantial building to the rear and the river-fronting garden. Just imagine what you could do with it. It would make a beautiful and atmospheric residence or a guesthouse, and with the Heritage Resort at Killenard just down the road, there could be overflow demand from wedding or function guests.
Anyone who appreciates our rich Georgian heritage will share my hope that it will be restored to its former glory.
The property comprises 17 rooms in total spread over the house, archway and building to rear. The main house has 9 rooms (3 on ground, 3 on first floor, 3 on second floor). The building to rear has 8 rooms (2 on ground floor, 3 on first floor, 3 second floor). The archway giving vehicular access to the yard has accommodation comprising 2 rooms. There is a large yard with 2 outbuildings. The detached garden is approx. quarter-acre.
Offers and proposals are welcome to info@oneillandco.ie or 045 856604.