Icehouse

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two compartment brick vaulted structure with rubble basalt walls approximately 600mm thick. The 1st compartment approximately 3000 wide by 3600 deep with 1½redbrick vault springing at 2100 high. Attached to the reveals of the entrance opening the remains of wrought iron strap hinges which probably carried gates. The icehouse compartment is the same width as entrance and about 400omm deep with the brick vaulted roof springing at approximately 900mm higher and containing at the highpoint a raised kerbed hatch for loading ice. There was probably some division between the compartments to contain the ice and allow melting water to drain away. The outer surfaces of both vaults are finished with a thin cement screed. The icehouse is set in a large field approximately 100 metres from dwelling and farm buildings.

Historical information

Used for ice storage in connection with salmon fishery on the River Roe which is close by. Shown on the 1831 Ordnance Survey Sheet and is within the Bellarena estate lands. No mention is made of salmon fishing in Ordnance Survey Memoirs. Ice may have been taken some years from River Roe or imported.

Reference
Ordnance Survey Memoirs Vol. 11
Mr Craig, neighbour, 239 Seacoast Road

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A utilitarian masonry purpose built icehouse of the late 18th early 19th centuries in connection with fishing industry on the river Roe.

Merits recording.