By Dan Walsh
Mass attendees at St. Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, last weekend, were shocked at the news that The Manse, home to generations of priests since 1911, has gone on the property market and is for sale by private treaty. The market price is believed to be in the region of €950,000.
The high cost of maintenance and the decline in numbers entering the priesthood has forced the Diocese of Ferns to part with this iconic listed building with its distinguished architecture and elevated site beside the cathedral with exceptional views of the town and Vinegar Hill.
According to Images of Ireland; ENNISCORTHY* St. Aidan’s Presbytery, popularly known as ‘The Manse’ was built as a presbytery for the administrator and his curates and was completed in 1909 to coincide with the silver jubilee celebrations for Most Rev. James Browne, Bishop of Ferns, 1884-1918.
Inspired by Administrator, Fr. Robert Fitzhenry, the building was designed by Thomas Slevin & Sons, Dublin, and built by William Fortune, Lower Church Street, Enniscorthy.
The residence which has served as the Parochial House since its construction is listed in the National Inventory of Ireland and is described as ” a detached four- or six-bay two-storey parochial house, built 1908-9; occupied 1911, on a rectangular plan including single-bay two-storey “tower” with single-bay single-storey flat-roofed advanced porch to ground floor; four-bay two-storey side elevations.
Part refenestrated, set in landscaped grounds including terrace centred on flight of eight cut-granite steps.” The property has been maintained in good condition throughout and has an abundance of character. On entering, the feature staircase is illuminated by the large atrium above.
The main living room has excellent proportions and is full of natural light due to its large feature windows maximising the picturesque views over Vinegar Hill.
The ceiling heights are excellent throughout and the property has beautiful coving and cornices throughout.
Accommodation briefly comprises four reception rooms, kitchen, utility, laundry room, w.c., and stores to ground floor. Upstairs has six bedrooms and two bedroom suites and four bathrooms. Outside there are four garages and some old outhouses.
The property stands on a large site of circa-1.2 acres of gardens. It has the benefit of all mains services and oil-fired central heating.
- Images of Ireland, compiled by Dan Walsh, published by Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin 8, and in Great Britain by the Chalford Publishing Company, 1998.
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