Given the strong links between Ulster and Scotland, it is perhaps not surprising that the Scottish Baronial style became popular towards the end of the century when Home Rule was a topic of debate. As a defensive style it was popular for insurance offices (Belfast), Police Stations (Dungannon) as well as houses. Joseph Bell of Belfast was employed to extend and remodel the stables of Baronscourt in the style in 1890. The building was designed to be seen as a romantic outline from the main house.
39. Scottish Baronial Revival- Baronscourt Stables- 1890
Given the strong links between Ulster and Scotland, it is perhaps not surprising that the Scottish Baronial style became popular towards the end of the century when Home Rule was a topic of debate. As a defensive style it was popular for insurance offices (Belfast), Police Stations (Dungannon) as well as houses. Joseph Bell of Belfast was employed to extend and remodel the stables of Baronscourt in the style in 1890. The building was designed to be seen as a romantic outline from the main house.
0 Comments
27. Arcadian living –Baronscourt House Baronscourt House, begun in c.1780 is one of the largest and most significant country houses in Ireland. It reflects the power and influence of the Abercorn family and is a private ideal world set within a carefully landscaped estate. Initial designs were by George Stewart. John Soane (architect of the Bank of England) carried out modifications in the 1790’s. Further work was by William ‘Vitruvius’ Morrison and his son in the 1830’s. These were the best architects of their time and they created something very special. However, this work was part of a trend across Ireland and Britain. Everywhere landlords were improving and adapting their estates to reflect classical ideals of living with an elegant proportioned house located within a carefully designed ‘natural’ landscape. 11. Fifteenth Century Tower Houses- Island McHugh
By the fifteenth century stone fortifications were becoming much more common. The preferred form was the regular stone tower house with thick stone walls often with a vaulted stone ground floor (resistant to fire) a main hall at first floor level and the lord’s rooms above. The only surviving example in the Strabane area was built by the O’Neill’s on Island Mc Hugh in the Baronscourt Estate, but there was also a tower built in Strabane in 1573, one in Dunnalong (1568) and one built by the O’Donnell’s in Lifford in 1527. The O’Neills also captured one from the O’Donnells at Castlederg in 1497. 4. Pre- Christian era- crannog, Island McHugh, Baronscourt
This island provides a link between pre-history and the late medieval history of the area with finds from the Neolithic (flint and pottery), Bronze Age (artificial extension of the island), Early Christian (main Crannog building) & Medieval periods (tower house). Crannogs are artificial islands built up in a series of stones and timber frameworks to provide a secure base for habitation. Often the home or retreat of a lord or king there are 1200 examples throughout Ireland and 347 in Scotland. This one, along with a nearby rath (circular earthwork) is associated with the king of the Ui Fiachragh people who occupied an area south of the River Mourne in the Early Christian period. 2. 6000-4000 years ago- Ballyrenan Chambered Grave.
We start at one of the earliest built features in the area - Ballyrenan Chambered Grave, part of a series of such features near Baronscourt. Tucked away in remote places, this, and similar monuments, are a strong reminder that there has been human activity in this area for a very, very, long time. This structure could be 6000 years old. When excavated in 1907, a flint arrowhead & stone beads were found at the site. Further excavations in 1936 uncovered sherds of at least 4 Neolithic pots, worked flints & beads. The former Post Inn at Baronsourt. One of a number of buildings built by the estate at the edge of the demesne. Constructed c.1850 it is very picturesque with hood mouldings and small paned windows in the Tudor style. Baronscourt Church on the edge of the estate, is a simple building consecrated in 1858. Located in a barren landscape it has great character in its simplicity. North of the main house are the ruins of a large fortified house from the era of the Ulster Plantation. Thought to have been built around 1620, it was an L shaped house with a projecting stair turret corbeled out in the Scottish style. A flanker tower with pistol loops defends the building. It is known as Derrywoone Castle
|
Marks of Time
Sketches of buildings in the North West of Ireland and further afield with a little information about their history. Categories
All
Archives
January 2025
|