“Donnybrook," Ashley Heath, Cheshire

 "DONNYBROOK," ASHLEY HEATH, CHESHIRE - THIS house has recently been erected for Mr. Walter Ibbotson on a charming site overlooking the river Bollin. It is built of Ruabon bricks; the timber framing in the upper story and the windows are of Californian redwood. The plan has been so arranged that the billiard-room is brought into communication with the drawing room by a raised platform or snuggery, by this means also giving additional height to the billiard-room, part of which has an open-timbered roof. The contractor for the work was Mr. A. F. Fox, of Peel-Causeway, near Manchester. The whole of the work has been carried out from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. William Owen, ARIBA, of 134, Deansgate, Manchester. [Building News 28 June 1897 page 875]

The transformation from agricultural to residential began about 1875 when large residential properties began to appear along South Downs Road. By 1897 South Downs Drive had been formed and No 1 South Downs Drive and Donnybrook constructed. Donnybrook was located at the extreme end of the drive with views over the River Bollin. Subsequent development occurred mostly after World War II, including a new house in the grounds of Donnybrook.

Reference           Building News 28 June 1897 page 875 and illustration