Locked



Undoubtedly one of the quirkiest residences in Ireland, this is Boland’s Lock-Keeper’s House. Situated on the 26th lock of the Grand Canal outside Tullamore, County Offaly, the building dates from c.1800 and is thought to have been designed for himself by Michael Hayes, a contractor working on the project. The house has bowed side elevations with semi-conical roofs, and, facing the canal, a bowed and castellated central bay: although it looks to be only two storeys’ high, the land to the rear drops away, allowing for a third floor. Well restored in recent years, the building is now for sale (in case anyone felt like moving home in 2023…)


5 comments on “Locked

  1. If only it were in Galway, I’d love to consider it Robert! What a character residence it would be. Happy New year to you and yours ‘as they say in Scotland’.

  2. Vincent Delany says:

    Most of the canal lock-keepers houses were only single storied. This man must have had a very big family, or social ambitions.

  3. Deborah T. Sena says:

    Love that style, nice to see less grand places of interest. just looked it up on Daft.ie, not a bad price at 465k, but I was also amazed at 3 other properties listed of equal interest for architecture buffs: Geashill Castle where the main house is a ruin but the out-buildings restored, Kingston House -hard to see the architecture because of all the ivy, and in Garbally, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly a fantasy medieval style thatch roofed wonder to be seen to be believed! I glance through listtings all the time, but rarely find 3 of interest at the same time.

  4. John O'Neak says:

    Is the lockhouse vacant? Why?

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