The gatelodge at Ballynegall, County Westmeath. Designed by Francis Johnston in 1808 the building provided a perfect introduction to the estate, its features emulating in miniature those of the main house. Tragically some twenty years after its exceptional contents were sold at auction, the house was stripped and gutted in the early 1980s, and is now a roofless shell. The lodge on the other hand remains, a sad remembrance of what once stood but has been lost at the end of the drive.
Beautifully tooled & cut limestone.
What does it say about us that we choose not to preserve things of beauty? And as another mentioned the stones are cut to perfection. You truly have a magnificent blog.
Thank you for the post, very beautiful and unusual building with a stone facade.
I attended the sale in 1963 as a small child, accompanying my parents. I remember it quite vividly though only five or six years old. My father bought some Irish 18th century silver flatware we still use everyday. The Smyths were distant relations. I am the direct descendant of Thomas Judge of Grangebeg, County Westmeath, an interesting late 17th century house also fallen into decrepitude. Turlough O’Corcoran the blind harpist composed an air named “Thomas Judge” and another for his wife “Mrs Judge” Abigail née Smyth. Thomas was son of Arthur Judge of Mosstown, of whom Laurence Whyte wrote an Elegy on his death in 1724/5.
Just looked up the purchase at Ballynegall sale of contents in 1962 by my father: 10 George III Fiddle pattern dinner forks, Dublin 1818, makers IE and M West, crested on underside, bought for £14/14/=. And a pair of William IV fiddle pattern Dublin 1837, bought for £4/4/= subsequently given to my cousins. I have a copy of the sale catalogue with the prices marked up in pencil by my father. The contents sold over two days for £12,514
Thank you for this information: might it be possible to see the copy of the sale catalogue (I should be most interested in seeing the prices realised…)
Yes. I live in Dorset but hope to be coming to Ireland in a few weeks time. For some reason the irishaesthete encryption system won’t let me access the site from my laptop. Please email me at Patric.judge@btconnect.com
My family home. I am 83 and was Angela hawkesworth Smyth. If of interest my son Myles is the family history one. Myles.bristol@gmail.com