Thatched House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three bay, direct entry, thatched house with attached felt roofed barn. Located at Seacoast Road but sited perpendicular to it (Barn nearest road). Main facade faces north west into a sheltered garden lower than the road. Three windows to facade, all twelve pane Georgian sash, now boarded up. One window to room nearest road, one beside sheeted door to central bay, two to final room. Gables blank. South east gable of barn abutting road partially rebuilt in concrete block. Rear of cottage finished in harling. Three windows as front. Three chimneys, two on gable walls.

The roof timberwork is original.

Evidence of demolished out houses. Building is unfortunately located next door to the “Oasis Night Club” a pink concrete dance hall.

Historical information

A building matching the present is shown on the OS map of 1830-31, but not recorded in the contemporary valuation. The second valuation of 1857 lists the occupant as an Alexander Smith, with Sir Frederick Heygate the lessor and the rateable value the modest sum of £1.

The building was acquired by the present owner in the mid 1990s and since renovated by Fleming McKernan Architects.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/1A/5/5 OS map, County Londonderry sheet 5, with valuation
references, (1830 / 31-c.38)
2 PRONI VAL/2A/5/5A Revised OS map, County Londonderry sheet 5, with valuation references, (1857)
3 PRONI VAL/2B/5/23 Second valuation, Magilligan, (1857)

Pre 1830 thatched cottage. In possession of Poule family until five years ago when it was bought by present owner. Recently renovated by Fleming McKernan architects.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Good example of the type of small house once common in the Magilligan area. Its basalt construction and thatched roof makes a distinctive regional type.