Architecture of Laois

1680s – Ballykilcavan House, Stradbally, Co. Laois

Ballykilcavan has full-height wings like flanking towers at the corners of the entrance front while similar towers on the rear of the house are now hidden by later extensions.

1773 – Abbeyleix House, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

Architect: James Wyatt

A seven-bay, three-storey over basement with dormer attic Classical-style country house, begun 1773, with a pedimented breakfront having a cut stone Doric door-case to the ground floor.

1790 – Emo Court, Portarlington, Co. Laois

Architect: James Gandon / William Caldbeck

Designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for John Dawson, the first Earl of Portarlington,

1800c – Market House, Portarlington, Co. Laois

Still intact, sited in the centre of the market square, but now much defaced by its usage as a service station.

1802 – Design for house, Co. Laois

Architect: Richard Morrison

A design published in “A collection of designs for rural retreats” by James Malton, with two elevational treatments.

1817 – Gracefield Lodge, Ballylynan, Co. Laois

Architect: John Nash / Daniel Robertson

An early 19th century cottage orné, originally designed by Nash but built by Robertson to a cut down version of the design.

1830 – Prison, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Architect: William Deane Butler

Now obscured by more modern security measures, Portlaoise (formerly Maryborough) Prison had a magnificent entrance gateway worthy of a Norman castle.

1830s – Church, Rathdowney, Co. Laois

Replaced by an unremarkable exercise in 1950s Romaneque sited on the then edge of town. This church was pulled down and the site is still a surface carpark.

1840 – Pembroke Row, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

When the 3rd Viscount de Vesci married Lady Emma Hubert, daughter of the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery. The Earl built this stone terrace of houses for the town as part of his daughter’s dowry.

1840 – St. Patrick’s Church, Ballyroan, Co. Laois

St. Patrick’s is a simple rectangular church with a flat-ceiling interior.