The pictures above show a terrace of former almshouses in Rockcorry, County Monaghan in August 2013. The pictures below show the same terrace in August 2025: the deterioration in their condition over the past 12 years is shocking. A stone plaque on the pediment of the two end houses advises that the terrace was ‘built by Jos. Griffiths for destitute widows A.D. 1847.’ Of two storeys and three bays, there are four such houses, sturdily constructed of stone with brick trim around the doors and windows. They are mentioned several times in a document commissioned by the local authority which appeared two years ago, Rockcorry Vision Plan 2030, with references made to ‘support community and private development of vacant and derelict residential properties for adaptation and re-use as new homes’ or the possibility of them being converted to tourist accommodation. Meanwhile, they continue to deteriorate…
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Disgraceful, with all the hand-wring about a housing crisis. Enough material there to ask hard questions of a local politician when campaigning in the upcoming important election!
Tragic to see in an area of such wonderful natural beauty.
What a waste of a beautiful and well built building.
An absolute disgrace. I am sure there must be some young archtiects around that would love to take on the renewal of such buildings? The local Council need to get their fingers out of their ears and get started! Thanks for bringing these to our attention Robert.
Pathetic, and very sad.