The Lodge, Eshnadarragh, Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh, BT94 4AJ

The Lodge is an interesting and remote hunting lodge of mid-19th century date, retaining some original character but now much altered. It is a single-storey, two-bay structure aligned east-west on the north side of a minor road.

The walls are of lightly dashed squared sandstone rubble brought to courses, with quoins and projecting eaves courses executed in finely dressed sandstone. For its length and height, the building is remarkably wide. The pitched roof was formerly slated but has recently been covered with corrugated metal sheeting; the central chimney has been removed, as have the finely dressed sandstone verges and rainwater goods.

The east gable features a tall narrow door towards its right-hand end, with finely dressed sandstone jambs and head. The south elevation has three regularly-spaced windows with finely dressed sandstone jambs and heads and sloped dressed sandstone cills. The base course of the wall is advanced along this side. The middle window is infilled with random rubble and may have been decorative rather than functional; the remaining two are now sheeted over. The west gable is blank except for a small apex window, whose cill has been removed and which is now infilled. The north elevation has an infilled doorway at left, a window at the right end of the left bay, and a second window to the right bay; the windows are now sheeted over.

Immediately west is an outbuilding of similar construction. Its roof is missing and the walls have partially collapsed. The east elevation of the outbuilding has a door opening at centre with a window opening with stone lintel to its left, set below eaves level. The left gable has an infilled door opening with stone lintel to right of centre. The rear elevation has collapsed and the right gable is blank.

A building is first shown at this location on the 1857 Ordnance Survey map, cited as 'The Lodge', indicating a mid-19th century construction date. It is said to have been erected by the Madden family of Spring Grove, land agents for Trinity College Dublin, as a hunting lodge. However, it is described merely as a house in the 1862 Valuation book, compiled in 1860, and valued at £1 5s 0d. The 1866 valuation entry notes it as a gamekeeper's house, with its value increased to £2 5s 0d. In all likelihood, the present building dates from this period, having replaced an earlier structure of which no trace now remains. Although the building is said to have subsequently become a barracks for the Royal Irish Constabulary until around 1910, it is merely described as a 'house' in valuations from 1893 onwards. It has recently been purchased from the Forest Service by Slieve Beagh Community Group and is earmarked for conversion into self-catering holiday accommodation.

The lodge is situated in an extremely remote and isolated part of the ward, consisting mainly of Forestry Division land. Although close to the road, it is well-concealed by a number of mature trees.