This report has been produced as an assessment of the potential effects of the proposed N5 Westport to Turlough Road Project on built heritage.

Transcription

1 Chapter 15 Architectural Heritage 15.1 Introduction This report has been produced as an assessment of the potential effects of the proposed on built heritage. The report investigates the historical background to the land in the vicinity of the route and shows that the area between Westport and Castlebar was relatively undeveloped prior to the late 18 th century and by the 1840s had a significant population. Large amounts of the population and the more modest houses disappeared during and soon after the famine. The area to the east of Castlebar was more settled at an earlier period. Westport was a small community prior to the late 18 th century when it was rebuilt as a planned landlord town, with further expansion in the early 19 th century. Castlebar is an older town and was granted a charter early in the 17 th century. It prospered subsequently through the agricultural produce of its environs. The building survey records assessed twenty structures of which eighteen structures have some level of built heritage significance and would be affected to a greater or lesser extent by the proposed road project. Two of the twenty structures assessed (BH-05 and BH-09) have no built heritage significance. In eight cases the effect would be of sufficient significance to warrant mitigation Background The route was inspected for the purposes of preparing this report on 24 th January, 2 nd, 3 rd and 7 th February and 11 th September 2010, on which occasions the photographs incorporated in the report were taken and the buildings and other structures along the route examined to prepare the descriptions contained therein. This report has been carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for the Assessment of Architectural Heritage Impacts of National Road Schemes produced by the National Roads Authority. Historical research was carried out on the background history of properties along the route or in close proximity and the results are set down below. While this report contains comment on aspects of the condition of the buildings it is not a condition report or a structural report and must not be read as such. This report has been prepared by Rob Goodbody BA(mod), DipEnvPlanning, DipABRC, MA, MUBC, MIPI, MRTPI Methodology The built heritage assessment examines buildings and other structures along the route of the proposed road and assesses the architectural significance of those structures with the anticipated effect of the road on their character. The emphasis is on structures still standing. Where a building or other structure has been destroyed it no longer has architectural significance on the landscape, though it may leave traces that fall within the ambit of the archaeological assessment. It may also have had an importance that remains through the historical record. For a structure to have Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/1

2 architectural significance it need not survive intact and ruins, or even fragments of buildings may be of importance. The identification of buildings and structures to be assessed for impact was based in the first instance on an analysis of current Ordnance Survey maps. The potential for any building or other structure along the route to have special architectural significance was also gauged through examination of the following sources: Mayo County Development Plan ; Draft Mayo County Development Plan ; Castlebar and Environs Development Plan ; Westport Local Area Plans ; Westport Town & Environs Development Plan ; Ordnance Survey six-inch maps of 1838; NIAH Survey of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Ireland; National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH). Any buildings on or close to the proposed route that were identified on the earlier Ordnance Survey maps were then checked against the current Ordnance Survey maps to ascertain which were still extant. The route was then walked to identify those structures noted in the desktop survey to assess them for their architectural quality. The possibility of finding structures of architectural significance not identified from the desktop assessment was kept in mind during the site work and any potential additional structures were examined. The entries in the Records of Protected Structures (RPS) for the County Mayo and for the town of Castlebar were also checked, along with those listed as buildings of architectural or historic interest listed in the Westport Town and Environs Development Plan The published records of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) were checked. The structures identified along the route were examined to assess the potential effects of the proposed road and to consider potential for mitigation where necessary. In each case the structures identified are rated in accordance with the system adopted by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) wherein a structure is rated as being of International, National, Regional or Local interest, or, if a structure is of no special interest, the NIAH includes a category of Record only. The definitions for each of these categories is as follows: International Structures or sites of sufficient architectural heritage importance to be considered in an international context. Examples include St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. These are exceptional structures that can be compared to and contrasted with the finest architectural heritage in other countries. National Structures or sites that make a significant contribution to the architectural heritage of Ireland. These are structures and sites that are considered to be of great architectural heritage significance in an Irish context. Examples include Ardnacrusha Power Station, Co. Clare; the Ford Factory, Cork; Carroll's Factory, Dundalk; Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford; Sligo Courthouse, Sligo; and Emo Court, Co. Laois. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/2

3 Regional Structures or sites that make a significant contribution to the architectural heritage within their region or area. They also stand in comparison with similar structures or sites in other regions or areas within Ireland. Examples would include many Georgian terraces; Nenagh Courthouse, Co. Tipperary; or the Bailey Lighthouse, Howth. Increasingly, structures that need to be protected include structures or sites that make a significant contribution to the architectural heritage within their own locality. Examples of these would include modest terraces and timber shop fronts. Local These are structures or sites of some vintage that make a contribution to the architectural heritage but may not merit being placed in the RPS separately. Such structures may have lost much of their original fabric. Record only These are structures or sites that are not deemed to have sufficient presence or inherent architectural or other importance at the time of recording to warrant a higher rating. It is acknowledged, however, that they might be considered further at a future time The legislation relating to the protection of architectural heritage is set down in the Planning and Development Act 2000 and this defines architectural heritage as including structures which are of special interest under the headings of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. Wherever the phrase special architectural interest is used in this report it should be taken as including special interest in any one or more of these eight categories. In this assessment each building or structure that is considered is assigned a rating in accordance with the NIAH system, or is stated to be not of special architectural interest. Where the rating is deemed to be higher than Record only the category of special interest is noted. It should be noted that the term special architectural interest applies only in the context of this assessment of architectural heritage and does not imply that those buildings and other structures that are not considered to be of special architectural interest are in any way inferior or are of lower value Historical Background Human presence in Mayo dates back over a long period and the area along the route of the is no exception, as is seen in the archaeological assessment. The built heritage element tends to be of more recent date, however, partially due to the low survival rate of earlier buildings, but to a large extent this is due to the late introduction of dense development in this district. This was summed up in Richard Griffith s report to the Bog Commissioners, written in 1813: The fertilizing effects of lime on this soil were first brought into notice in the neighbourhood of Westport, by the extensive and well-conducted improvements of the late Marquis of Sligo, by whose example, together with the arrangements already mentioned, the whole face of the country has been changed, and under whose fostering care and encouragement, the once paltry fishing village of Westport has now become one of the handsomest and best built towns on the west coast of Ireland. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/3

4 I have been credibly informed, that eighty years ago there was but one small field of eight acres of green ground between Castlebar and the sea coast, and this was round Westport-house; and within 40 years the roads to the west did not pass Castlebar. At present, a mail coach comes into and leaves Westport every day; and within the period of forty years, the town has increased in population from about 200 persons to 2,500, and the houses have been changed from a dozen dirty fishermen's huts, to streets built with unusual regularity; all which has been effected through the exertions of the Westport family. The time periods given by Griffith suggest that in about 1730 there was little cultivation in the area between Castlebar and Westport, while the first road brought to Westport dates from as late as the 1770s. Arthur Young, who visited this area in 1776, must have come by road, or he would have commented on its absence. He described how the district had been totally under forest in the mid-17 th century and that the local tradition is that the area had been depopulated by plague. Young reported that the farms around Westport were generally large, extending from about 400 acres to 5,000 acres and were stock farms, with no wheat grown except in small quantities by the local gentry for their own use. The Westport area was on the verge of major changes at the time that Arthur Young visited, and he commented on the increase in the growing of flax and production of linen. The next few years saw a major restructuring and expansion of the town, with the Octagon and its adjoining streets laid out so as to provide a market place for the sale of flax, yarn and linen. The economy of the area received a major boost from this new emphasis on the linen industry, and was boosted further from the 1790s by the increase in exports due to the wars with France. This included the textiles as before, but tillage was also increased enormously and grain was exported from Westport Quay. As a result of the increase in the wealth of the town it was expanded further with the diversion of the river and the development of the mall in the early nineteenth century. To the east of Westport, away from the influence of Westport, Arthur Young found that the land was not cultivated as much for flax, and commented that about threefifths of the country [is] unimproved mountains, bog and lake. This remained the case until the later nineteenth century, when significant amounts of reclamation occurred, continuing into the twentieth century. As a result, a great deal of land is now cultivated that was not usable in the mid-nineteenth century, and the lakes along the route of the proposed N5 scheme are noticeably smaller than they were at the time of the first edition Ordnance Survey map in For seventy years after the visit of Arthur Young the population of the area between Westport and Castlebar increased significantly, and the first edition Ordnance Survey six-inch map of 1838 shows a great number of houses along the route that no longer exist. Most obvious amongst these are the clusters of houses, sometimes as many as fifty or so in a close group, without any formal layout or street pattern. These were occupied by those who were worst hit during the famine and in many cases the clusters of houses shown on the Ordnance Survey map had gone by the time of Griffith s Valuation of the 1850s, leaving perhaps just one or two houses in the townland. In the case of the present scheme, where houses no longer exist on the ground they are not taken into account in the built heritage assessment, there being no surviving built heritage. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/4

5 The town of Castlebar is older than Westport, with its development into a substantial town commencing with the granting of a charter that granted borough status in the early seventeenth century. The quality of the land in the Castlebar area was better than that around Westport, allowing for large farms, as Arthur Young described on his visit in He found that farms could be large enough to turn over 2,000 a year and these were stock farms. Such tillage as was carried out locally tended to be on the smaller farms of the cottiers. He also recorded that the growing of flax and spinning and weaving the product into linen had recently commenced in the district, with about two hundred looms in and around the town. The additional amount of tillage in this district is reflected in the larger number of mills that existed in the mid-nineteenth century, and which are shown on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. There are also more substantial houses in this area, with their demesnes visible on each of the editions of the Ordnance Survey maps Baseline Environmental Study Statutory Position Record of Protected Structures The list of structures on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) for County Mayo includes a number of buildings in the vicinity of the N5 Westport to Turlough Road Project. The point at which the proximity of a protected structure to the route begins to have an effect on the character of the protected structure will vary according to the nature of the structure. For the purpose of this report protected structures are included in the assessment where they are close enough to the route to be seen from it, or to have a view of it, except where the distance is substantial. The relevant protected structures are listed below with the reference number from the RPS Hawthorne Lodge Castlebar 0020 Bridge Turlough 0011 Turlough House Turlough Proposed protected structures Turlough Church of Ireland church in the townland of Drumdaff is a proposed protected structure. Conservation Areas The route of the does not run through any Architectural Conservation Areas or proposed Architectural Conservation Areas. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) has published parts of the survey of County Mayo, including the towns of Westport and Castlebar. No structures in the vicinity of the proposed route were identified in those parts of that inventory that have been published to date Building Survey In the section below each structure or group of structures is examined to assess whether it is of special interest as built heritage, taking a distance of 50 metres on either side of the centre line of the proposed route, or an equivalent distance from junctions or realigned side roads. Buildings are included where they potentially have Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/5

6 a special interest for their architectural, historic, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. This list of potential interests is derived from section 10(2)(f) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, which sets down the obligation of a planning authority to include objectives for the protection of structures in its development plan. The list also includes special archaeological interest, but this is not included in this part of the Environmental Impact Assessment as it is considered separately in Chapter 14. Where a structure or group of structures is found to be of special interest this assessment includes an examination of the potential effects of proposed scheme on the structure or group of structures. In each of these cases the structure is given a number prefixed with BH for Built Heritage. In each case the survey includes a brief description of the structure or group of structures, an approximate date of construction. In the case of the older structures the survey includes some background information about the structure to elaborate on the historical background given above. The survey commences at the western end of the scheme at Westport and progresses eastwards to Turlough. Where the structure is not deemed to be of interest the predicted impacts and the effects on the setting are given as, signifying not applicable. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/6

7 BH-01: Rose Cottage Plate 15.1 Rose Cottage Description Rose cottage appears on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of and was probably single-storey at that time. The house has been altered over time. There are stone outbuildings that are probably contemporary with the original house. The proposed scheme would terminate opposite this house without affecting the structures directly. Reference number: BH-01 on Figure 14.1 Photo reference number: Plate 15.1 Address: Rose Cottage, Deerpark East Co-ordinates: L Site type & location: Farmhouse and outbuildings Description: Two-storey, three-bay gable-ended house with slate roof. Outbuildings include older stone buildings and more recent structures. Approximate date: Early 19 th century, enlarged later Sources: OS 1 st edition 6 Mayo sheet 88, Special interest: Architectural, social Special interest rating: Local Conservation status: Distance from centre line: 18 metres Type of impact: Indirect Nature of impact: Visual intrusion Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/7

8 Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Extent of impact: Negative Low Imperceptible Newport Road would be realigned at the front of the house. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/8

9 BH-02: Westport Achill Railway Plate 15.2 Line of former Westport-Achill Railway at the back of Westport GAA grounds Description The railway between Westport and Achill was built in and ran across the north of Westport towards Newport. The former line survives near the southern boundary of the townland of Attireesh. The route would cross this line to the north of Westport GAA Ground. Reference number: BH-02 on Figure 14.1 Photo reference number: Plate 15.2 Address: Attireesh Co-ordinates: L Site type & location: Former line of railway track running along the foot of a hill. Description: Linear area of levelled ground cut into foot of hill. Approximate date: 1894 Sources: Hajducki, 1974 and Shepherd, Special interest: Historical, technical Special interest rating: Local Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/9

10 Conservation status: Distance from centre line: Type of impact: Extent of impact: Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: 0 metres Direct The route would cross the line of the former railway and run along its northern side, affecting approximately 275 metres of the former route. Partial loss of structure Negative Very high Significant The affected sections of the line should be recorded by means of photography and written description prior to commencement of works. Very high Significant Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/10

11 BH-03: House Plate 15.3 House adjacent to former Westport-Achill Railway Description Originally a small stone-built cottage, probably built in connection with the Westport- Achill Railway, adjacent to the line on an embankment. Slate roof. Projecting porch facing eastwards. Windows are replacement casements. Reference number: BH-03 on Figure 14.1 Photo reference number: Plate 15.3 Address: Attireesh Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: House located on embankment of former Westport and Achill railway Description: Single-storey, three-bay house Approximate date: 1894 Sources: Hajducki, 1974 and Shepherd, 1994, OS 25 Mayo sheets 88-1 and 88-2, Special interest: Historical Special interest rating: Local Conservation status: Distance from centre line: 120 metres Type of impact: Indirect Extent of impact: Route would run to the north of the house. Nature of impact: Visual intrusion. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/11

12 Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Negative Medium Slight Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/12

13 BH-04: Milestone Plate 15.4 Milestone at Drummindoo Description Simple, single-sided milestone with rounded top and facing at right angles to the road. Inscription reads Westport 1 Mile. The type is typical of the mid-18 th century, but this example may be later and may tie in with the reconstruction of Westport in the later 18 th century. The milestone is on the road margin on the northern side of the N5 within the land take on the eastern side of the proposed roundabout. Reference number: BH-04 on Figure 14.1 Photo reference number: Plate 15.4 Address: Drummindoo Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Milestone, situated on road margin on northern side of N5 to east of junction with local road. Description: A single-faced limestone milestone with a rounded head, bearing the inscription To Westport 1 Mile. Approximate date: Late 18 th century. Moved as part of a previous upgrade to the N5. Sources: Site inspection Special interest: Historical Special interest rating: Regional Conservation status: Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/13

14 Distance from centre line: Type of impact: Extent of impact: Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: 8 metres Indirect Potential loss The milestone is within the take line for the road and close to the works and may be subject to damage or loss during construction Negative Potentially very high Significant Carefully remove milestone into storage prior to construction and reinstate on completion of the works. Milestone should be recorded by photographs and written description before and during removal. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/14

15 BH-05: Cattle shelter Plate 15.5 Cattle shelter at Kilbree Lower Description Cattle shelter constructed with concrete and vertical timber set on a mass concrete base and with a corrugated steel roof. Design is unusual, with timber in the round used to form a colonnade, probably utilising telegraph poles. Reference number: BH-05 on Figure 14.3 Photo reference number: Plate 15.5 Address: Kilbree Lower Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Agricultural buildings within grazing land, at the boundary of two fields. Description: Cattle shelter constructed of timber in the round, concrete and corrugated iron. Approximate date: Later 20 th century Sources: - Special interest: Special interest rating: Record only Conservation status: Distance from centre line: 25 metres Type of impact: Direct Extent of impact: Cattle shelter would be removed Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/15

16 Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Removal Negative Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/16

17 BH-06: Bridge Plate 15.6 Bridge at Claggarnagh West and Cloonan Description Round-arched stone bridge with arch ring of rusticated limestone voussoirs and with vault and rising walls of squared and coursed limestone. Parapet walls of limestone. Bridge crosses river at right angle and road turns to cross it on either side. Reference number: BH-06 on Figure 14.3 Photo reference number: Plate 15.6 Address: Claggernagh West and Cloonan Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Bridge carrying local road over small river that runs in a deep cutting. Description: Semicircular arch of dressed limestone voussoirs. Approximate date: ca. early 19 th century Sources: 1 st edn. OS 6, Mayo sheet 78, Special interest: Technical Special interest rating: Local Conservation status: Distance from centre line: 10 metres Type of impact: Direct Extent of impact: Bridge would be demolished Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/17

18 Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Removal of bridge Negative Very high Significant Record bridge prior to removal through measured drawings, photographic and written description. Very high Significant Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/18

19 BH-07: Railway Plate 15.7 Railway at Derrycoosh, looking towards Castlebar Description The Midland Great Western Railway commenced the construction of a railway from Athlone to Westport in 1859 and it opened in stages, with the last section between Castlebar and Westport opening in The stretch of the line at Derrycoosh is on a low embankment where it passes through bog land with no significant features such as stations or level crossings. Reference number: BH-07 on Figure 14.4 Photo reference number: Plate 15.7 Address: Derrycoosh Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Railway embankment running through level terrain Description: Single-track railway Approximate date: 1866 Sources: Hajducki, 1974 and Shepherd, Special interest: Technical Special interest rating: Regional Conservation status: Distance from centre line: Route would cross over railway Type of impact: Indirect Extent of impact: Road would cross over railway without interfering with it. Nature of impact: Visual Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/19

20 Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Neutral Low Slight Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/20

21 BH-08: Lime kiln Description A lime kiln is shown at this location on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of Very little of it now remains. Reference number: BH-08 on Figure 14.5 Address: Aghadrinagh Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Lime kiln Description: Remnants of a stone-built lime kiln Approximate date: c.19 th century Sources: - Special interest: Special interest rating: Record only Conservation status: Distance from centre line: At centre line Type of impact: Direct Extent of impact Remnants of feature would be removed Nature of impact: Removal Quality of impact: Negative Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/21

22 BH-09: Former house at Lisnakirka or Milebush Plate 15.8 Structure at Lisnakirka or Milebush Description A single-storey structure lies to the south of the existing road at Lisnakirka or Milebush. There are windows in the building, and a substantial door to permit vehicular access. The roof is of corrugated fibre cement and there is a chimney stack at the ridge. This structure was built ca.1860s as a dwelling, and subsequently was altered and extended to provide storage for agricultural purposes. The house has been out of residential use for some time and is used for agricultural purposes. Reference number: BH-09 on Figure 14.5 Photo reference number: Plate 15.8 Address: Lisnakirka or Milebush Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Former house and agricultural store Description: Single-storey building with corrugated roof and with one chimney. Rendered facade. Substantial doors of comparatively recent date. Approximate date: c.1860s Sources: Record books in Valuation Office Special interest: Special interest rating: Record only Conservation status: Distance from centre line: 75 metres Type of impact: Direct Extent of impact: Structure would be removed Nature of impact: Removal Quality of impact: Negative Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/22

23 Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/23

24 BH-10: Hawthorn Lodge Plate 15.9 Hawthorn Lodge Description Hawthorn Lodge is a five-bay, two-storey over basement country house dating from the mid-18 th century. The proposed N5 will pass through the north-western corner of the former demesne at a distance of approximately 250 metres from the house. There are former walled gardens and belts of trees between the house and the proposed road. The part of the former demesne affected by the route is currently part of Castlebar Golf Course, to the south of the railway, and partly agricultural land to the north of the railway. Reference number: BH-10 on Figure 14.6 Photo reference number: Plate 15.9 Address: Hawthornlodge Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Country house in former demesne, now located within golf course Description: Two-storey over basement, five-bay country house on a site of 0.8 hectares, within a former demesne that originally extended to 58 ha. The demesne lost 4.25 hectares from the construction of the railway in the early 1860s and was subsequently split between a golf course (24.3ha) and residential development (4.8ha), with less than a hectare of the grounds remaining attached to the house, and 24 hectares remaining in a form similar to its original demesne state. Approximate date: 18 th century Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/24

25 Sources: Butler, 2002 Special interest: Architectural Special interest rating: Regional Conservation status: Protected structure Distance from centre line: House: 300 metres. Route impacts on boundary of former demesne to north and south of railway line. Type of impact: Direct Extent of impact: A small sliver of the former demesne would be impacted upon, though this is now not in its original form, being partly golf course and partly agricultural land. Nature of impact: Slight encroachment on former demesne. Approximately 2.4 hectares of the former demesne would be within the CPO and a little over 1 hectare would be affected by road construction. Quality of impact: Negative Magnitude of impact: Low Impact significance: Former demesne: slight; House: imperceptible Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/25

26 BH-11: Railway Plate Railway at Hawthornlodge and Shanvally Description The Midland Great Western Railway commenced the construction of a railway from Athlone to Westport in 1859 and it opened in stages, with the last section between Castlebar and Westport opening in The stretch of the line at Hawthorn Lodge has no significant features such as stations or level crossings. Reference number: BH-11 on Figure 14.6 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Hawthornlodge and Shanvally Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Railway, on relatively level ground Description: Low earthen embankment carrying railway Approximate date: 1866 Sources: Hajducki, 1974 and Shepherd, Special interest: Technical Special interest rating: Regional Conservation status: Distance from centre line: Route would cross over railway Type of impact: Indirect Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/26

27 Extent of impact: Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Road would cross over railway without interfering with it. Visual Neutral Low Slight Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/27

28 BH-12: Wall of orchard Plate Wall of orchard Description The first edition Ordnance Survey map of this area shows an orchard on the southern side of the N60 Castlebar to Claremorris road. This has now gone and there are houses built on the site. The western wall of the orchard remains, however, located off the existing N60, away from the road frontage. It lies wholly within the take line for the road scheme, including the junction between the proposed road and the N60. Reference number: BH-12 on Figure 14.6 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Drumaleheen Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Wall. Formerly part of wall that surrounded an orchard. Description: Rubble stone wall about 3 metres high Approximate date: 18 th or early 19 th century Sources: First edition OS 6 map, Mayo sheet 79, Special interest: Historical Special interest rating: Record only Conservation status: Distance from centre line: Within land take at junction Type of impact: Direct Extent of impact: Wall would be removed Nature of impact: Removal of wall Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/28

29 Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Negative Low Slight Record wall by photographs and written description. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/29

30 BH-13: Boundary wall Plate Boundary wall on northern side of N60 Description On the northern side of the N60 within the take line for the proposed road scheme there is an early 20 th century house with a substantial run of stone wall along the frontage. This wall is constructed of squared rubble limestone and has crenellated capping and was built in the 1960s as part of the improvements to the N60. The stone appears to have been salvaged from an earlier structure and includes a significant amount of dressed or tooled stones. Reference number: BH-13 on Figure 14.6 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Doogary Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Stone wall. At northern margin of existing N60 Description: Rubble stone wall with significant amount of dressed or tooled stones, evidently reused from an earlier structure. Approximate date: Early to mid-1960s Sources: Site inspection Special interest: Technical Special interest rating: Record only Conservation status: Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/30

31 Distance from centre line: Type of impact: Nature of impact: Extent of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: At edge of land take for junction with N60 Direct Wall would be removed. Negative Low Slight Record wall by photographs and written description. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/31

32 BH-14: Vernacular buildings Plate Pair of vernacular structures Description Two vernacular structures lie close to the route at Doogary. Both are in ruins and clad with ivy. The eastern of the two was a house and has the outshot structure at the rear that is common in houses of this type in Mayo. The western structure may have been outbuildings. Reference number: BH-14 on Figure 14.6 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Doogary Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Vernacular structures within grazing land Description: Two stone-built structures in ruins. Approximate date: Early 19 th century Sources: First edition OS 6 map, Mayo sheet 79, Special interest: Cultural Special interest rating: Record only Conservation status: Distance from centre line: 45 metres Type of impact: Indirect Nature of impact: Visual Extent of impact: Road would pass close to the structures Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/32

33 Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Neutral Low Imperceptible Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/33

34 BH-15: Windsor Plate Part of planting at Windsor Demesne on south side of N5 Description The present N5 runs through the northern end of the former demesne of the nowdemolished Windsor House. While the house itself was set back some 350 metres from the N5 a great deal of the structural planting of the designed landscape of the former demesne still survives, including the belt of trees seen in the photograph above and another on the opposite side of the existing N5. These trees are the subject of a Tree Preservation Order. The database of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes produced as part of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage found that while fragments of the structural woodland have survived there are virtually no recognisable features of this former demesne remaining, and that the former demesne is now largely indistinguishable from surrounding farmland, with modern housing constructed on the site. Reference number: BH-15 on Figure 14.7 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Breandrum or Windsor Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Historic demesne Description: Remaining features of former demesne of Windsor House, which is now demolished. Approximate date: ca. 18 th century Sources: First edition OS 6 map, Mayo sheet 79, Special interest: Historical Special interest rating: Local Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/34

35 Conservation status: Distance from centre line: Type of impact: Extent of impact: Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: No historic building status. TPOs. 15 metres Direct and indirect There would be a direct effect on one tree at the Windsor side road and a belt of trees on the northern side of the N5. Potential indirect effects during construction. Removal of one tree at Windsor side road and removal of trees within a tree belt on northern side of road. Negative Low Imperceptible Care should be taken to minimise the effect of the scheme on this planting and replacement trees of similar species should be planted to supplement those remaining following construction. Low Imperceptible Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/35

36 BH-16: Turlough Park Plate Turlough Park, main frontage, facing west Description Turlough Park is a mid-19 th century Victorian Gothic building built within a preexisting 18 th century demesne. The house is two-storey with a high slated roof having dormers. Between the house and the proposed scheme there is a range of buildings, some of which are modest farm structures, while the most significant are modern buildings related to the use of the house as part of the National Museum of Ireland. The demesne of Turlough Park was originally relatively extensive, but has now contracted. The area immediately adjacent to the house is maintained at a very high level of landscaping, with a lake, well-tended planting, lawns and flower beds. Beyond this immediate area the demesne has reverted to agricultural use, and this includes the substantial field to the east of the house, separating the house from the old road that formed the eastern boundary of the former demesne. The database of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes produced as part of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage found that the main features of this former demesne were unrecognisable, though peripheral features were visible. The proposed improvement to the N5 at this point would include the widening of the existing N5, together with the provision of access driveways on either side of the widened road so as to facilitate access to the rear gate to Turlough Park and to lands to the south of the N5. The L-5779 Gortnafolla Road to the east of Turlough Park, beyond the field, will be largely on the line of the existing road. To the west of the L Gortnafolla Road, the connector roads for the junction will approach the proposed N5 mainline on embankment where it will be bridged across the mainline before reconnecting to the L-5779 Gortnafolla Road to the south east of the Church of Ireland church at Turlough (BH-17). Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/36

37 Plate Turlough Park, seen from the south east The house at Turlough Park has its focus to the west, while to the east and south east there are buildings of various periods that partially obscure the house and that form a screen. It is clear that this side of the house is not considered to be of significance in the wider landscape. The proposed roads, whether the main alignment of the N5, the realigned local road or the accommodation access routes, are at a low level to the south east of the house, where they would have a minimal impact on the house or its setting. To the north east the house is screened by significant changes in levels and a belt of tree cover. Reference number: BH-16 on Figure 14.8 Photo reference number: Plates and Address: Gortnafolla Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Country house in landscaped demesne Description: Substantial architect-designed house in extensive grounds. Former demesne is largely given over to grazing. Approximate date: House: 1865, in 18 th century demesne. Sources: Butler, Special interest: Architectural, historical Special interest rating: Regional Conservation status: Protected structure Distance from centre line: House is 150 metres from centre line, but part of former demesne is within the take line. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/37

38 Type of impact: Extent of impact: Direct A narrow belt of the former demesne along the existing N5 would be taken into the scheme, along with a small section of land adjacent to the local road that leads off the N5 on the western side of the existing junction. Nature of impact: Visual, and erosion of former demesne Quality of impact: Negative Magnitude of impact: Low Impact significance: Slight Mitigation measures: Some planting should take place to minimise the potential effects of the scheme on the setting of the house. Magnitude with mitigation: Low Impact significance with mitigation: Imperceptible Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/38

39 BH-17: Turlough Church of Ireland church Plate Turlough Church Description Turlough Church is typical of the churches that were being built for the Church of Ireland in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. It stands on a high point above the present N5, with a local road passing along its western boundary. The church is prominently visible to users of the N5 in both directions, though the view to eastbound traffic is the more significant as the church faces west and there is a viewpoint that is relatively unobstructed by trees, as seen in the photograph above. The ground falls away sharply around the western, northern and eastern sides of the churchyard, with a drop of about 6 metres towards the north. The local road that runs alongside the western edge of the church is early and predates both the existing N5 and the earlier Castlebar-Dublin road that runs from east to west on the northern side of the Castlebar River. The existence of a local road between the church and Turlough House suggests that the original demesne around Turlough House did not extend to include the site of the church. In 1786 the original Turlough House was destroyed, and in the 1790s the incoming heir to the estate built a new residence, Charleville House (Ref BH20) to the north of the local road, and it was within the demesne of Charleville House that the church at Turlough was built a few years later. The present Turlough House was built in the mid-1860s within the demesne of the original house. The proposal would include the minor widening of the existing N5 where it passes Turlough Church, and this widening would not in itself have any significant impact on the church. The compact grade separated junction will involve a bridge over the proposed N5 which will require connector roads on the eastern side of the church and the L-5779 Gortnafolla Road. These links will be on embankment on approach to the N5 to provide sufficient clearance for the bridge crossing. However where the new connector road would pass to the south east and east of the church it would be in a cutting, with minimal effect on the church. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/39

40 Plate Turlough Church, seen from the north east The photograph above shows the view of the church from a point close to where the proposed local road realignment would cross the N5. The bridge structure would be about 80 metres distant from the church to the east, a side that is the least visually intrusive, and which has some degree of tree cover to assist in mitigating any intrusion. The sloping ground into which the realigned road would pass on its route to the south of the church is seen at left. Reference number: BH-17 on Figure 14.8 Photo reference number: Plates and Address: Drumdaff Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Church standing on hillock and surrounded by churchyard. Description: Early 19 th century parish church in traditional graveyard. Approximate date: Early 19 th century Sources: First edition OS 6 map, Mayo sheet 79, Special interest: Architectural Special interest rating: Regional Conservation status: Proposed protected structure Distance from centre line: Church is 85 metres from centre line, but surrounded by realigned side road. Type of impact: Indirect Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/40

41 Extent of impact: Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Church would be surrounded by roads due to the proximity of the proposed junction. Visual Negative High Moderate Some supplementing of planting around the perimeter of the churchyard would ensure that the effect on this building would be minimised. Medium Slight Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/41

42 BH-18: Bridge at Gortnafolla Plate Bridge at Gortnafolla, Turlough and Knockanour Description The bridge at Gortnafolla has been refurbished recently. It is three-arched with a larger central span leading to a slight hump-back in the bridge. The arch rings are of shaped limestone, while the spandrels and parapets are of limestone rubble. The bridge upstream at Leckneen is similar and is a protected structure. The L5779 that crosses this bridge would be realigned to the south of the bridge and as it will be largely online it will have returned to its present alignment by the time it reaches the bridge. Reference number: BH-18 on Figure 14.8 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Gortnafolla, Turlough and Knockanour Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Bridge, carrying a local road over the Castlebar river Description: Three-arched bridge of rubble limestone with semicircular arches, recently refurbished. Approximate date: ca.18 th century Sources: First edition OS 6 map, Mayo sheet 79, Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/42

43 Special interest: Special interest rating: Conservation status: Distance from centre line: Type of impact: Extent of impact: Nature of impact: Quality of impact: Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Technical, historical Regional 350 metres, but adjacent to realigned local road. No direct impact. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/43

44 BH-19: Early medieval site at Turlough Plate Round tower and church at Turlough Description The Early Christian site at Turlough stands on a hillock to the north of the Castlebar River, adjacent to a local road. The summit of the hillock stands more than twenty metres above the level of the L-1719 Turlough Road, the former Castlebar-Dublin main road, which is approximately 300 metres away. The early ecclesiastical site at Turlough is within a sub-circular enclosure and is taken up for the most part by a graveyard. At the summit there is the shell of a former church building, which dates from the 18 th century. Adjacent to the church is a round tower, and which dates from around the 10 th century. While this site lies well beyond the distance of 50 metres from the road scheme that is taken as the area of study, the importance of this site is such that it is included for assessment. The main line of the proposed route will lie approximately 800 metres to the south of the church and round tower. At this location there would be a junction with the L Gortnafolla Road that runs northward from the existing N5 to join the Turlough Road. The compact grade separated junction will involve a bridge over the proposed N5 which will require connector roads on the eastern side of the church and the L Gortnafolla Road. These links will be on embankment on approach to the N5 to provide sufficient clearance for the bridge crossing. The upper photograph overleaf was taken from the hillock on which the present Church of Ireland church at Turlough stands, and shows that there is a significant belt of trees screening the medieval site from the proposed road and road junction. The lower photograph is a view from the medieval site towards Turlough Park, seen to right of centre in distance behind dead bush. The present Church of Ireland church and the site of the proposed junction are hidden in the bank of tall trees to left of centre, and to left of Turlough Park. Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/44

45 Plate Round tower at Turlough seen from present Church of Ireland site Location of Proposed N5 Turlough Junction Plate Turlough Park and proposed junction site seen from medieval site Reference number: BH-19 on Figure 14.8 Photo reference number: Plates 15.20, and Address: Turlough Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/45

46 Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Early medieval site on high ground Description: Hillock with medieval round tower in good condition and with walls of 18 th century parish church, set in graveyard. Approximate date: Round tower: 9 th or 10 th century, church: 18 th century Sources: Harbison, 1992 Special interest: Archaeological, architectural, historical, artistic. Special interest rating: National Conservation status: Church is a protected structure. Entire site is a recorded monument. Distance from centre line: 630 metres; 230 metres from realigned local road. Type of impact: Indirect Extent of impact No direct impact Nature of impact: Visual Quality of impact: Neutral Magnitude of impact: Impact significance: Mitigation measures: Magnitude with mitigation: Impact significance with mitigation: Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/46

47 BH-20: Charleville Plate View towards Charleville House from proposed Turlough junction Description Charleville is an early 19 th century house, now burned out and derelict, set within a former demesne that dates from the 18 th century. The proposed route would run eastwards along the valley of the Castlebar River. The house itself is shielded by a dense belt of planting that includes a significant proportion of evergreens. The house originally faced Turlough Park, though there was no line of sight to the original house at Turlough Park. The church was built close to line of view from Charleville House, but this view is now obstructed by later planting near the house and near the church. The database of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes produced as part of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage found that the main features of this former demesne were substantially present, though the peripheral features were unrecognisable Reference number: BH-20 on Figure 14.8 Photo reference number: Plate Address: Drumdaff Co-ordinates: M Site type & location: Country house in landscaped demesne Description: Derelict country house in extensive grounds. Wooded former demesne survives near house, remainder grazed. Approximate date: Early 19 th century Sources: Butler, 2002 Special interest: Architectural, historical Special interest rating: Local Ref: (07.522) September 2013 Page 15/47