1227 – St. John’s Castle, Rinndown, Co. Roscommon
Built in 1227 by King Henry III of England, populated by up to 1000 people in it’s heyday. Destroyed, ruined and forgotten in less that 150 years,
Architecture of Roscommon
1257 – Roscommon Abbey, Co. Roscommon
Founded in 1253 and consecrated in 1257. The church originally consisted of one long aisle with lancet windows. Those on the east and west walls were replaced in the 15th century with traceried windows.
1448 – Tulsk Abbey, Co. Roscommon
According to Lewis’s Topographical Survey of Ireland, “O’Conor Roe erected a castle here in 1406, and during the same century a Dominican monastery was founded either by MacDuil or O’Dowell,
15th C. – Clonshanville Abbey, Co.Roscommon
Probably founded early to mid 15th century. According to the Dominican Provincial reports, there were two friars here in 1702, five in 1756 and three in 1767,
1730 – French Park, Co. Roscommon
Architect: Richard Cassels
Large three storey mansion with two storey wings connected by simple curved sweeps. Similar in design to houses at Strokestown and the Bishop’s Palace at Elphin.
1730 – Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon
Architect: Richard Cassels / J. Lynn
A substantial house in the Palladian manner of a central block flanked by wings and curved sweeps.
1762 – Harrison Hall, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
Architect: John & George Ensor
Now a branch of the d Bank of Ireland but known also as Harrison Hall.
1777 – Old Gaol, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
The building originally consisted of 36 Cells and the Governor’s Private Dwelling. It is known for having a hangwoman “Lady Betty”,
1790 – Gate, Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon
Architect:
Strokestown is noted for its wide streets. It is said that they were made this way because the second Lord Hartland of Strokestown wanted to make his village thoroughfare wider than the famed Ringstrasse in Vienna.
1790s – Castlerea House, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
The earlier main block of seven bays was quite plain; while the 19th century wings had balustraded parapets. The three-bay side of the left wing served as the entrance front.
