Gate Lodges

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A pair of ashlar sandstone built lodges, single storey, on either side of entrance gates and railed screens, placed at right angles to the Ballyquin Road and at the end of a long avenue leading north from Pellipar House.

The lodges are identical, with their pedimented entrances facing each other across the avenue. The entrance elevations are 3 bays wide, symmetrically composed with a bold and pedimented breakfront centrepiece with round headed door opening. The windows are set in shallow recesses. On either side there are similarly treated single windows with comparatively low sandstone cills. A flat plain band at arch springing level encompasses all facades. The tops of walls have a plain corbel projection which supported the gutters, all missing. Each gable has a centrally arched window, again with wide shallow recess. The rear elevation has 3 blank arched recesses complete with wide shallow recess. This is obscured by a lean to brick extension on the west lodge. Walls are built of fine ashlar sandstone with thin joints. There is no plinth.

Roofs are hipped and slated with ridge and hip tiles. Central chimney lined with brick and faced with ashlar stone.

The entrance door had a plain semicircular fanlight, doors missing; window frames are all missing.

The stone pediment has simply formed sloping copings and horizontal completing the triangle with good projection, the external bottom angles do not come to a point but are cut off in a blunt but pragmatic manner.

The central pair of wrought iron gates consists of delicate round verticals which are doubled below the middle rail. Each vertical terminates in a well crafted decorative finial. On either side of the gates 2 square ashlar sandstone piers about 2 metres high with flattish moulded coping with shallow blocking piece on top (one missing). The piers are joined to the outer facing corners of each lodge by a low curving ashlar sandstone wall surmounted by a decorative railing matching the metalwork of the gates. The wall straightens before meeting the wall of each lodge. The wall has a simple weathered and overhanging coping in which the railings are secured.

The long wall of the east lodge is parallel and close to the verge of Ballyquin Road, where the avenue, passing through the gates opens onto a wide gravel space which would have allowed vehicles to turn easily towards Dungiven. There are the remnants of mature trees (beech) and the whole presents a charming approach to Pellipar House, though it appears to be little used. As the avenue winds through the estate towards the house it increases in width and passes over a broad low parapeted bridge (see HB02/07/002B)

Historical information

It is likely that the pair of lodges are contemporary with Pellipar house built by Robert Ogilby c1797. They are shown on the 1832 O.S. map and referred to in Griffiths Valuation of 1858. The lodges were in use up to c1960. The mother of Mrs Borland of 229 Ballyquin Road, occupied one at that time. However John McCluskey, writing in 1821, states “the approach, too, has been tastefully improved, and two elegant lodges erected at its entrance”. This appears to refer to the northern gate lodges, and, if so, the lodges are of a later date than the house but contemporary with “two additional wings” added c1820.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. 1st Edition map 1832 Co Londonderry Sh. 25
2. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry IV 1824, 1833-5 P.9, 51, 53
Ed. Angélique Day and Patrick McWilliams (QUB 1992).

Secondary Sources
1. John McCluskey Statistical Reports of Six Derry Parishes 1821; P. 72, 73
Ed. David O’Kane, Ballinascreen Historical Society 1983.
2. J.A.K. Dean – The Gates Lodges of Ulster, P.119

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A fine example of a pair of symmetrical small gate lodges of the later Georgian period in a neo-classical style built in sandstone ashlar work with bold detailing. Linking the lodges there is a pleasingly designed curving screen wall and railing with central gates and stone piers.The setting is good, if a little overgrown, located as they are at the southern end of their own lay-by on the Ballyquin Road.