Danesfort

Although now out of use, this substantial and well-proportioned house retains its early form and character. It also retains much of its early fabric including Wyatt style timber sliding sash windows. The tripartite Wyatt windows, the proportions to the front elevation and the shallow hipped roof to the main block lend this building a Regency period appearance, and suggests that it dates to the first decades of the nineteenth century. The main doorway formerly had a pedimented Ionic doorcase, the shadow of which can be seen surrounding the doorway. The complex form of this house to the rear suggests that it might contain earlier fabric, and that a new block was added to the front, c. 1820. It was enlarged c. 1865 (Ordnance Survey map information, and genealogical information: see below), and the outbuildings date to this period. The attractive and well-carved sandstone gates posts, and the simple wrought-iron gates, to the main gateway to the north form a suitably impressive entrance to this site. The modestly detailed outbuildings to the rear complete the setting of this composition, which is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area. The location of this building adjacent to St. Catherine’s Church of Ireland church (13401802) hints that it may have been originally built as a rectory. However, it is not indicated as a rectory on any maps of the area. There are references to a Rev. Francis Gregg, rector of Ballymacormick from 1842 - 1867, who lived at ‘the parsonage, close by the church of Ballymacormick’, so it is very possibly that this was originally built as a rectory. The Rev. Gregg (also of Oldtown House (13401451), near Ardagh) later moved to the rectory at Keenagh in 1867. The house was later renamed ‘Danesfort’ and was in the ownership of a Randal(l) Adams (1825 – 1913) during the late-nineteenth century (Slater’s Directories). Randal Adams previously lived at Rhynmount House (now demolished), to the south of Cloondara, until 1864. In 1864 Adams advertised an auction of the furniture of Rhynmount House as he was moving to a new residence (Longford Journal). This would roughly tie in with the dates of the move of Rev. Gregg (possibly) from this house. It is possible that the house was remodelled and the outbuildings built, c. 1865, just in advance of the move of Randal Adams. Adams was a important figure in the local area and served as a Grand Juror for Longford in the 1870s. He owned acres in the area, c. 1875, and is buried next door at St. Catherine’s Church (grave marker). Danesfort was later in the ownership of the Daly family c. 1915 (a Mrs Daly of Danesfort, Longford sold a number of household pets the proceeds of which she gave to the Prince of Wales Fund in aid of the soldiers’ and sailors’ families who were engaged in the war (World War 1).