Donal Moloney / Vimeo

ACCORDING TO LOCALS, this house was once a “hive of activity” with servants of a high-ranking, ex-military English gentleman living within the grounds.

One of the workers was Veronica, the original housekeeper, who was the last person to live in the property.

When photographer Donal Moloney, who is currently engaged in a project focused on abandoned homes, came upon the house, it had already been “trashed” but he could see the beauty in its abandon.

According to Moloney, Veronica became the homeowner’s partner and was left the estate when he died.

“She was forced to sell some of the courtyard when she discovered she had to pay inheritance tax. Whilst gardening one day, she wiped her eyes. It’s suspected there may have been ‘dog shit’ on her hands. She eventually went blind.

“Unable to afford the upkeep – and failing health – meant the house fell into poor disrepair.  Veronica died two years ago, intestate, in her late 70s.”

Frozen in time, Moloney’s photographs are haunting images of Veronica’s life – a bicycle, a wheelchair, cuddly toys with labels still attached, oven gloves and Maxwell House coffee.