Landed Estates
University of Galway

Waterstown House

Estate(s)
Townland Waterstown
Civil Parish Kilkenny West
PLU Athlone
DED Glassan 7
County Westmeath
Barony Kilkenny West
Description This Palladian style country house on rectangular plan, constructed c.1745 was designed by the German architect Richard Castle (1695-1751) for Gustavus Handcock and his wife Elizabeth Temple. It has important historical connections with the Temple-Handcock family, who were originally granted the lands around Waterstown as payment for services to the Crown during the Cromwellian Wars (boi). Robert Handcock Temple was resident in 1814 and 1837. Valued at £47 in the mid-19th century it was occupied by Robert Holmes. The buildings had increased in value to £61.15 in 1906. It remained within the Temple-Handcock family until mid-1923 when they sold the estate to the Land Commission. In 1928 the pedimented doorcase at Waterstown was removed and re-erected at Lissglassick House (Longford) and the house became a ruin in the 1930s.
Waterstown (National Built Heritage Service)

Property Location