East lodge (Logan’s Lodge),

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Lodge

A pink sandstone ashlar faced one storey T-plan lodge with slated roofs hipped and faceted over canted gable of T in quasi gothic character with twin light pointed windows and diamond pane leaded lights set in a plain broad square headed surround. The twin lights are neatly moulded and detailed and painted white. The walls rise from a low projecting plinth and merge into the meagre roof edge masked by a half round gutter. While the ridge and hips have conventional tiles those of the canted bay have an imbricated or overlapped narrow flat tile similar to detail used at out-houses of Streeve House. There is a single low chimney stack with two decorative pots. The lodge has been extended in its length and these walls are smooth rendered. To the rear there is a small extension with out-house added. This is faced with crudely build sandstone to Broad Road and joined to house by trabeated opening. The plinth entrance door is in the angle of the T.

The lodge is set inside the imposing gates and railing and has a well tended garden around.

Gates & Screen

An imposing gateway set back in an elliptical half sweep with four tall square sandstone piers panelled on each face with banding of vertical fluting under a square headed coping. Between the piers a low wall, which almost disappears into the forecourt as the ground rises, a simple cast iron/wrought iron railing approximately 150mm high with pike tops. The gates between the central piers are a little more elaborate with curved dipping top rail. Width between piers about three metres. The style of the gates contrasts with the gothic character of the gate lodge.

Historical information

The Ordnance Survey Memoir Vol. 9 refers to “A handsome new entrance was built by Mr McCausland on the Coleraine Road in 1830, and from it the avenue now winds gracefully to the house”. This was around the time that Robert McCausland was considering designs by John Hargrave for a new Drenagh, which designs sported canted bays and it is reasonable to assume that the east gate lodge was the first part of this scheme. As both owner and architect died in the early 1830s this is the only part of the new design realised apart from the Robinsonian approach to the avenue layout and demesne landscaping. The realignment of the road around Drumachose old church did not take place until later. A school for housekeeping was carried on in the lodge by the Gate-keeper’s wife and assisted by the Misses McCausland. The mistress received extra payment for the tasks (Ordnance Survey Memoirs).

References:
Ordnance Survey Memoir Vol. 9
The Gate Lodges of Ulster - Dean
UAHS The Buildings of North Derry - Girvan

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A neat late Georgian gate lodge with gothick overtones which contrasts with the neo classicism of the entrance gate piers.