Current Properties
Saunderscourt Gatelodge Background History
Saunderscourt owes its name to Colonel
Robert Saunders, to whom Oliver Cromwell
granted lands comprising approx.
3,750 acres in 1669 . The house at
Saunderscourt was begun in the late
17th century and was described as
“a fine courtly building of considerable
extent” with a “rich and handsome
façade” . The estate passed into
the hands of the Gore family in the
year 1730 with the marriage of the
sole heiress of Richard Saunders
to Arthur Gore, later first Earl
of Arran of the Aran Islands, Co.
Galway. After the death of the second
Earl of Arran c.1809, Saunderscourt
estate was abandoned for some length
of time before it was finally sold
by the third Earl to Arthur Giles,
Esq. in 1860. The house passed next
to John F. Kane, Esq. who sold it
to Crosby Harvey of Kyle in 1889.
Captain Harvey demolished the house
c.1891, presumably to save on rates.Among the surviving buildings on the estate is a very fine late 18th century triumphal arch gate lodge. The imposing arch entranceway, with its engaged Ionic columns supporting pediments to both inner and outer elevations, is constructed of fine cut limestone. This is joined by four curved quadrants to flanking symmetrical two-storey over basement brick lodges. It is thought that the gate lodge went out of use at the time of the second Earl of Arran's death c.1809, quickly falling into a state of disrepair. A.Atkinson notes the imposing character of this grand entranceway in his description of the then abandoned Saundercourt estate in “The Irish Tourist” c.1815:
I proceeded toward Saunderscourt, the once respectable residence of the late Earl of Arran… I arrived within view of the splendid arch and lodges, which on an elevated position above the public road, form a grand outpost to this concern… I felt my heart impelled by a sentiment of sympathy…by the neglected and ruinous aspect of Saunderscourt, no longer the seat of nobility, nor of that munificence and national hospitality for which it was once so remarkable.
Restoration Details
Work commenced on site at Saunderscourt Gate Lodge on the 8th of November 2005. The site has now been cleared to allow Paul Arnold Architects to carry out a detailed conservation report. A series of necessary emergency repair works have also been completed to ensure that the building does not fall into further disrepairThe Irish Landmark Trust are currently fundraising for the balance of €985,000 to complete the restoration project. All donations received for Saunderscourt Gate Lodge will be used to rescue the Triumphal Arch and living quarters. Once restored the Gate Lodges will serve as t self catering accommodation to finance the upkeep and maintenance of the property.
People Involved
The Irish Landmark Trust Ltd DL Martin & Partners Paul Arnold Architects Sean Brady ContractorsFunded By
To date: Wexford County Council
