Page 16 - 0FINAL Neo Gothic Church 1754 Report compressed

CA THAL CRIMMINS AR CHITECT 16 Conservation Appraisal of Walled Garden and Historic landscape of Kylemore Abbey www. architect.crimmins.ie

P1100465.JPG P1100466.JPG Jupp and Mc Erlan’s report notes.

THE NORTH WEST CORNER
IMG_6692.JPG CONSERVATORY
Unlike the 2 small conservatories on the
south east and south west which in size
and function are little more than.
entrance lobbies to the adjoining houses
this one and its match on the north east
are substantial spaces which housed a
variety of plants. The heavy growth P1100526.JPG
covering this one, which included a small
birch tree was cleared completely and
revealed the high quality ‘of the flooring
and its good state of preservation [see
photographs]. The floor is composed of
large yellow sandstone flags which have The North West Corner Conservatory
been cut into various angular shapes and
fitted together. In spite of the years of The fine cut stone stps and paving stones of this conservatory ar intact but
P1100467.JPG P1100482.JPG
neglect most of the flags are complete. detriorating.
There are 4 spaced circular openings,
0.33m [1 ft 3in] north diameter, cut into
flags, which permitted heat to rise from
the hot water pipes below. These
openings were originally fitted with
round brass grills but over the years they
have all disappeared. 2 pipes of 4 inch
diameter, one above the other run
through the space below the openings.
The upper pipe is 0.15m [6 in] below the
floor. In addition a small pipe 2 inches in
diameter runs beside the upper pipe. The
brick walls are 0.38m [1 ft 3in] high above
the floor. Some staging survives against
the south west side. The conservatory is
entered from the parterre up 4 curving
schist steps through an opening which
had originally 2 narrow doors. At the rear
a single door led to the area behind the
main range while openings to the north
east and south gave access to the
tropical house and banana house
respectively. The planting of these corner
conservatories are described in the 1905
Gardener Chronicle as ‘Climbers and
other plants; the former embraced Acacia
Baileyana, Clianthus Puniceus, Begonia
Grandiflora, Swainsonia Galegifolia,
Pleromas, Tacsonias, Roses etc