Artisan Dwellings

Drawing of cottage at Crompton Row Birr

Manuscript drawing of cottage at Crompton Row , Birr.

Drawing of cottage at Crompton Row Birr

Drawing of cottage at Crompton Row Birr

Manuscript drawing of cottage at Crompton Row , Birr.

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Throughout much of the 19th century the problem of the lack of adequate housing for the labourering classes of Ireland was very much in evidence. However great progress was made in Parsonstown due to the active interest of the 2nd Earl of Rosse. In conjuction with local builders several schemes of artisan dwellings were developed, many of which survive to this day. The building of these houses improved the appearance of the town and in some cases housed estate labourers.

Crompton Row

 

Artisan Dwelling - Crompton Row, Birr

In 1817, the second Earl of Rosse granted a lease to a local builder John Crompton, to build a row of cottages to the east of the town. This effort to house estate workers and labourers, preceded by several decades the Labourers Acts of the late 19th Century which sought to address the problem of housing of the rural poor in Ireland. The present houses shown here replaced the originals in 1910 and were part of the improvements of the road from St John’s Mall to the new bridge. The architectural style of the houses reflects the use of the “English vernacular” style common on other artisan dwellings in the town. A typical feature of this style is the use of carved wooden details as found on all the front porches of the terrace. Many of the original architectural features remain in this terrace; including the small sash windows and chimneys. The original foundation stone of 1820 seen here to right of right window was incorporated into the 1910 development.

Artisan Dwelling - Crompton Row, Birr

Artisan Dwelling - Crompton Row, Birr

In 1817, the second Earl of Rosse granted a lease to a local builder John Crompton, to build a row of cottages to the east of the town. This effort to house estate workers and labourers, preceded by several decades the Labourers Acts of the late 19th Century which sought to address the problem of housing of the rural poor in Ireland. The present houses shown here replaced the originals in 1910 and were part of the improvements of the road from St John’s Mall to the new bridge. The architectural style of the houses reflects the use of the “English vernacular” style common on other artisan dwellings in the town. A typical feature of this style is the use of carved wooden details as found on all the front porches of the terrace. Many of the original architectural features remain in this terrace; including the small sash windows and chimneys. The original foundation stone of 1820 seen here to right of right window was incorporated into the 1910 development.

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Artisan Dwellings - Terraced houses, Crompton Row, Birr

View of six uniform single story cottages at Crompton’s Row, Birr.

Artisan Dwellings - Terraced houses, Crompton Row, Birr

Artisan Dwellings - Terraced houses, Crompton Row, Birr

View of six uniform single story cottages at Crompton’s Row, Birr.

Enlarge image

In 1817 the 2nd Earl of Rosse granted a lease to a local builder John Crompton to build a row of cottages to the east of the town. This effort to house estate workers and labourers preceded by several decades the Labourers Acts of the late 19th century, which sought to address the problem of housing of the rural poor of Ireland. The present houses shown here replaced the originals in 1910 and were part of the improvements of the road from St John's Mall to the New Bridge. The architectural style of the houses reflects the use of the "English vernacular" style common on other artisan dwellings in the town. A typical feature of this style was the use of carved wooden details as found on all the front porches of the terrace. Many of the original architectural features remain in this terrace, including the small sash windows and chimneys. The original foundation stone of 1820 seen here to right of right window was incorporated into the 1910 development.

Brendan St.

Brendan Street was built in the late 1880's to link Market Square and the Catholic Church. Notable features on these cottages are three ceramic plaques each depicting the biblical scenes of the Annunciation and the Madonna and Child.