The Wonderful Barn

The Wonderful Barn
General information
Status Inactive, heritage building
Architectural style Georgian
Location Barnhall
Town or city Celbridge
Country Ireland
Coordinates 53°21′35″N 6°30′36″W / 53.359757°N 6.510011°W / 53.359757; -6.510011
Elevation 60 m (200 ft)
Landlord John Glin
Height 22 m (72 ft)
Dimensions
Diameter 11 m (36 ft) at base
Circumference 35 m (115 ft) at base
Technical details
Material red brick overlain with rubble stone
Floor count 7
Known for unusual shape

The Wonderful Barn is a corkscrew-shaped building on the edge of Castletown House Estate of the Conolly family, which borders Leixlip and Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. It was built in 1743 on the Leixlip side of the Castletown Estate.[1] Flanked by two smaller dovecote towers, it was built with the stairs ascending around the exterior of the building.[2]

View of the Barn and the adjoining house, circa 1900.

Several purposes are suggested for the unique structure. One theory is based on the custom in Georgian times of using doves as a delicacy when other game or animals were not in season, and suggest its use as a dovecote. The height of the structure would also lend itself to sport shooting, supporting another theory of its use as a shooting or gamekeepers tower.[3]

The tower is seen from the east windows of Castletown House, so it filled that vista, possibly as a folly.[1]

However, a central hole through each of the floors supports the generally accepted theory of its use as a granary. The barn was built in the years immediately following the famine of 1740-41, as there was a need for new grain stores in case of another famine. The Conollys owned Kilmacredock and rented it out, so the barn was also useful for their tenants.

The construction project also likely served as a way to keep the local poor employed.[4] In this, it is not unlike the Conolly Folly (an Obelisk), which was built on the estate in 1740-41.

A similar structure known as the Bottle Tower, built in imitation of the Wonderful Barn, is located in Churchtown, Dublin, close to Rathfarnham.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 The Wonderful Barn, Leixlip, Co. Kildare | Irish Georgian Society
  2. ↑ Historical sites of county Kildare » Wonderful Barn
  3. ↑ http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/buildings-at-risk-the-wonderful-barn-co-kildare-1.1820394
  4. ↑ Off the beaten track in Ireland | Ireland.com

Coordinates: 53°21′35″N 6°30′35″W / 53.3596°N 6.5096°W / 53.3596; -6.5096

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