1760 – Woodlawn House, Co. Galway

Frequently referred to online as Ireland’s most haunted house, Woodlawn House is a three storey Palladian style country house of about 30,000sq.ft. Originally built around 1760 by Frederick Trench, the first Baron Ashtown, It was extensively remodeled in 1860, by his son the second Baron Ashtown, to plans drawn up by James F. Kempster, the County Surveyor for this part of Galway. It was also the second Baron Ashtown who was responsible for the building of Woodlawn Railway Station and ensuring that the railway line passed through the estate. The house comprises a three-storey central block with slightly advanced end bays and projecting tetra-style Ionic portico to entrance bay. The main block is flanked by two-storey wings with projecting pedimented end bays to each wing. Exterior finished in stucco and local limestone. The use of pinnacles to the front on what is largely a traditional classical composition is unusual. The house was finally sold by the fourth Lord Ashtown who was in financial straits to Frederick Le Poer Trench in 1947. Sold again in 1978 and several times since, it is in a poor state of repair – the interior with its ornate stucco being at particular risk. There is a large farmyard to the rear.