House, Tirmacoy Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Storey and a half vernacular house two structural bays wide sited perpendicular to the nearby Tirmacoy Road. Building aligns north east to south west with its entrance facade facing north west. Unpainted harling render, natural slate roof, single brick chimney on south west gable nearest road. Single storey white washed lean-to barn against north east gable, corrugated metal roof.

Main facade has three openings. Approximately central door flanked by two windows. Windows are metal casements detailed to resemble sashes. Windows sub-divided into twenty small panes, eight on the top openings light, twelve on the lower fixed section.

South west gable has two high level openings flanking the line of the chimney.

North east gable has one high level opening to the rear. The south east elevation is blank as it abuts a steep wooded slope.

To the north east of the building, a small stream flows perpendicular to the house. A hydraulic ram is situated on its bank parallel to the house. In the field further to the north east a standing stone (Historic Monuments Ref: Ldy 9:1) was located prior to the 1923 Ordnance Survey.

Historical information

Building indicated on 1848 Ordnance Survey Map. It was occupied by Marcus Hutchinson in 1858 and leased from the Fishmongers’ Company. Its value was 15s. 0d. The building may be one of a number of houses built by the company for tenants as part of improvements to its estate in the mid nineteenth century. The unusual casement window is also found in Carrickhugh Stables (HB02/02/007) 700 metres to the north, suggesting some connection between the two. The stream running past the house ultimately powered the flour mills.

References:

Ordnance Survey Map Londonderry 9, 1848 & 1923
The Londonderry Plantation 1612-1914 by J S Curl P.238
The 1858 Griffiths Valuation, Newtownlimavady p.179

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A derelict vernacular building with a few details of note. The staircase descending into the living room, its construction resembles those associated with mills rather than houses (see Ardmore Flour Mill HB02/08/016). The metal casement windows are also unusual and of note. The building is interesting historically for its association with the reforms of the Fishmongers’ Company in the last century.