Historical background:

Morgan’s House in Co. Limerick consists of three structures built in separate stages, beginning in the early eighteenth century, though there is documented evidence of habitation on the site as early as 1570. That habitation may account for the medieval wall which abuts the two smaller structures, the northernmost of which may have originally extended further into the garden. The southern structure is older and taller than that adjacent to it, and is weather-slated on its northern gable. These unusual buildings intersect with the newer, long section at first floor level, creating a T-shaped plan. The varying sizes, low ceilings, and other unorthodox details of these three structures create an interesting and complex amalgamation.

By the twenty-first century the house was suffering from an array of problems, most significantly old wiring, undersized floor joists, wall cracking, and water ingress due to failed valley gutters. In 2005, the Irish Georgian Society awarded a grant of €3,000 toward a conservation report to ensure that all issues were identified and works carried out in a proper manner.

Brief description of project:

This conservation report provided the owners with a current, professional evaluation of the house’s condition and also supplied a thorough and appropriate schedule of remedial works.

Architectural description:

Morgan’s House is a T-shaped house of three conjoined structures connected at first floor level. The long, main section which rests on a plinth is composed of six bays which are unevenly aligned between the first and ground floors. The timber sash windows on the ground level are of six-over-three configuration, with those on the first floor being of six-over-six, all with cut limestone sills. The exterior walls of this structure are composed of wet dash lime on the long elevations with the end being of random course rubble. It is surmounted by a pitched slate roof with three rendered chimneystacks. A cut-stone string course is to the ground floor and the main entrance possesses a timber panelled door under a blind fanlight. The taller of the two oldest structures has a hipped roof and a chimney on its northern gable, while its neighbour possesses a jerkinhead slate roof with a central, redbrick chimneystack. The walls of the latter two buildings are of random rubble stone.