Although there are no protected structures on the lands that are identified for the  Age-Friendly housing project, there are existing and proposed protected structures throughout the Mount Anville ‘estate’.

A Heritage Appraisal (22 April 2020) prepared and submitted as a ‘Pre-Planning Submission’ to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, prepared by Hanna Loughnane BArch MRIAI of Five- Seven Architects, states:

“Originally a fine Victorian country estate, the establishment of a convent and school on the site in 1865 led to extensive development of school and convent buildings in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The buildings and features remaining on site represent several eras and are designed in several architectural styles presenting a rich history.”

“Three structures on the site are listed in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Record of Protected Structures: The original house and belvedere tower, the c.1852 main entrance piers and gates to the house (re-located from their original position beside the Gate Lodge), and the c.1852 Gate Lodge, St. Jude’s, on Mount Anville Road. However, the site contains several other buildings and features of note and it should be considered that the Protected Structure status extends to all areas of the site and all historic features. In particular, the curvilinear lean-to glasshouse in the walled garden is a rare and early example of this technology. It is of great importance and should be preserved and protected.”

The report goes on the note development potential as follows:

“The detailed analysis at Section 3.4 above gives a brief outline of the character and features of note of each of the various parts of the site. It will be seen that some areas of the site are of high heritage value and, although this does not mean that development is not possible in these areas, the purpose of this report is to consider the entire site so that consideration can be given in the first instance, to the possibility of future development occurring in areas of the site where the impact on heritage features would be low.”
“The following locations are, in my opinion, areas of the grounds where development could be considered, within clearly defined parameters:

The Walled Garden
The first (northerly) walled garden is intact and is an important feature of the site. However, the second (southerly) walled garden has already been compromised by the development of housing along its southern boundary which has resulted in the loss of the southwest corner of the garden. No buildings of note remain in this garden and the landscaping layout is probably not original. This second walled garden would be suitable for the development of a considered, sensitively detailed development. Any development in this area should be limited in height – possibly a maximum of two storeys – in order to avoid any adverse impact on the more important first walled garden. The enclosing walls, wrought-iron gates and axis through the central arch of the screen wall should be retained.”

In relation to the farmhouse, the report states:

The Farm Courtyard
“Although unoccupied at present and somewhat neglected, the original courtyard arrangement of the Victorian farm buildings is still evident. I consider that the original stone-built farm buildings are of some small heritage value and could be retained and refurbished as part of a re-development of this area. Although the courtyard is small, there is room to the rear and a development set around a lengthened courtyard could be considered.”

The large field in the north-east area of the site, subject to the road reservation is also mentioned in the Heritage Appraisal however it is not immediately relevant to the boundary of the land, the subject of this information.