In celebrating National Heritage Week 2022, the Irish Georgian Society is reflecting on projects it has assisted over the last 20 years through its Conservation Grants Programme. Funded through IGS London and IGS Inc (USA), over €1.6m has been awarded during this time.

Day 9: Scregg House, Co. Roscommon

Built in 1767 by the Kelly family, Scregg House has an impressive façade, characterised by a careful spatial relationship between wall and windows. Above a stone doorcase with triangular temple pediment and sidelights, a round-headed Venetian window gives light to the first floor landing. This, in turn, is surmounted by a large semi-circular Diocletian ‘thermal’ window—named after the thermae, or bathhouses, of ancient Rome. This central spine of doorcase and windows is flanked on either side by eight windows, set two by two and ascending through three stories over basement. The windows are surrounded by cut-stone frames—referred to as ‘Gibbsian’, with keystones and squared blocks of stone projecting at intervals. Located near Mote, in Co. Roscommon, Scregg House is something of a rural palazzo. It may have been designed by the same architect who worked on Ledwithstown House, on the other side of Lough Ree—less than thirty kilometres distant. Although much altered over the years, nearby Newpark House, also has a Diocletian window, but Scregg House is remarkable in that so much of its original architectural quality has been retained.

IGS Grants — 2007: roof and rainwater goods repairs; 2009: window repairs

The work of the Irish Georgian Society is supported through the Heritage Council’s ‘Heritage Capacity Fund 2022’.