One of Gorey’s most historic houses, Saint Waleran’s, located in the Ballytegan area close to the town was completely destroyed by an outbreak of fire today.
It had a long and distinguished history and was on the site of Woodlands which was the residence of Col. Loftus Owen in 1824.

Saint Waleran’s has been destroyed by a major fire.

Saint Waleran’s was erected for Lieutenant General John Christopher Guise VC CB (1826-95) to a design by John McCurdy (c.1824-85) of Leinster Street, Dublin, representing an important component of the mid-19th century domestic built heritage of Gorey with the architectural value of the composition with the principal reception rooms defined by polygonal bows; and the coupled timber work embellishing the roofline.
The Classical-style chimneypieces and decorative plasterwork enrichments, all highlighted the artistic potential of the composition.
An adjacent coach house-cum-stable outbuilding (extant 1840) continued to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained estate making a pleasing visual statement in a sylvan street scene.
Guise was presented with his Victoria Cross sometime in 1859 in India (sadly no further information is known).
Guise went on to command the 90th Regiment from 1861-1864, and would remain in the Army until in 1890, he took retirement and was made Colonel of the Leicestershire Regiment.
He held the post until his death, aged 68, on February 5th 1895 at St Waleran House, Gorey. Guise was buried in Christ Church Churchyard where there is a memorial to his memory.
Although occupied in 1901, it was vacant in 1911, but families that lived there afterwards included Walsh, Fahy, McCartan and Molloys and Educate Together Primary School was there until moving to a permanent location at Creagh.