Duckett's Grove is located in Rainestown, in the civil parish of Killerrig, Co. Carlow. Though the building is now in ruins, it can clearly be seen that there were several phases of construction at this stately home which belonged to the Duckett family.
The original building, a 3-storey over basement country house was constructed around the year 1745. This was built to replace a smaller house which is located elsewhere on the grounds. The previous building was called Kneestown House.
Duckett's Grove was redesigned in the Gothic style around the year 1825 at the request of John Dawson Duckett. This was done under the architect Thomas Cobden who was responsible for the addition of the archways, turrets, and crenellations which give the building its distinctively gothic character. In 1845, further additions included an octagonal viewing tower and entrance screens.
Ownership of Duckett's Grove left the Duckett family in 1921 after which time the site continued to change hands.
Many of the outbuildings were destroyed in 1931 to provide granite for the construction of a Christian Brothers school which is still standing in Carlow town.
In 1933 the building was destroyed by fire. The site has since come into the ownership of the Carlow County Council who have opened the gardens up to the public.
References
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Inventory of Architectural Heritage | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
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Website | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
