76 Culmore Point Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

No. 76 to 86 are three pairs of semi-detached one and a half storey cottages fronting onto River Foyle immediately north of Culmore point and set back a short distance from the water’s edge by a concrete raked embankment. Each dwelling has a front and rear garden.

The cottages are handmade brick faced two bays wide with pitched roof projecting porch, wide ground floor square proportioned window with hood moulding set high above, pitched roofed dormer windows placed centrally above with cill just above gutter. Plaster frieze under gutter with widely spaced decorative cast iron gutter brackets. Gutters flow into centrally placed decorative cast iron trunkhead with single downpipe between two dwellings. Decorative brackets secure downpipe. Slated roof with central chimney between dwellings. These have been altered to rustic brick work with four chimney pots from original Tudor style chimneys. Gable roofs with lean-to roof over rear part. Gable wall plastered and new back return extension. Porch timber clad with decorative barges and pointed timber finial. Dormer likewise treated. Flemish bond brick work. Sheeted door. Window divided into 12 equal panes with top hung opening lights at head. Dormer window triangular pointed with top centre diamond pane. Gable has ground floor bedroom window and centre placed first floor window. Door in gable is in new position.

Historical information

The Culmore estate reverted to the Irish Society in 1860. Richard Williamson was appointed Irish Society surveyor in reference to Fitzgibbon Louch. Society wished for cottages to be constructed fronting onto the river at the back strand, Culmore point. Williamson’s plans and elevations are based on those of Henry Roberts (1803-76) who had prepared designs for the Society for Improving the Conditions of the Labouring Classes. The cottages were under construction in 1863-4. The cottages are now under individual ownership. A row of cottages named 'Kings Row' is indicated on the 1853 OS Map at the same location. These must have been replaced by the present buildings

References:

Primary Sources:
OS Map 2nd Edition 1853 Co Londonderry 14
OS Map 1904-5 Edition Co Londonderry 14A

Secondary Sources:
Curl J S, The Londonderry Plantation 1609-1914 p.414, 417
Occupier No. 84/86 Culmore Point Road

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An example of model semi-detached cottages erected under the aegis of the Honourable The Irish Society as proto type for others to follow. Sited overlooking the River Foyle at the narrows before expanding into Lough Foyle. Several of the cottages have been altered but retain sufficient of their original form and detail to be attractive. They merit recording.