10-12 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three storey rendered Georgian houses forming a terrace which abuts the storey higher brick terrace listed as HB02/12/005 and 006. Front facade faces south east onto Main street. To the north east an arch abuts number 14 (HB02/12/006A) and gives access to the rear. The elevation is divided in three by two cast iron rainwater pipes. Each section has three window openings at each level (formerly sashed now casement) the north east section is wider with the rhythm of the windows broken at first and second floors to align with the arch. To the north east side of the central section is a finely detailed tuscan door case with recessed three quarter columns and cruder segmental fanlight. The door is a replacement and has four horizontal glass panes separated by thick rails. A more modern door with rectangular fanlight has been inserted in a former window opening at the south west end of this section. The south western section has two openings blocked up a ground level, one is a former arch to the rear. Closer to the central section an enlarged window looks into a disused shop space. Roof is natural slate with two remaining chimneys at each level. Rear rendered, and windows altered.

Historical information

Formerly the old Academy according to Girvan (p.8). Buildings indicated on site in 1830 map as a single building (number 12) with archway adjoining number 14 indicated as a passage. Very long return to rear of present number 10A at the south west end of site. By 1848 survey they are divided into three buildings (number 94, 95 and 96). Numbers 94 and 95 are part of present 10A. The long return to the back of this building was demolished and instead a very long return was built to the south west end of the present central portion. Buildings extended over passage to abut number 14 over an arch way. This arrangement has largely been unaltered until the present. Numbers of buildings were left off 1907 and 1925 surveys. Griffiths Valuation of 1858 lists occupants as: William Allinson MD; John Martin; Henry Tyler (main portion); leased from J Ogilby.

Reference

Girvan W D, The Buildings of North Derry U A H S p.8.

Summary of History of 6 & 8 Main Street Limavady by A Witherspoon

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A row of Georgian buildings which in width colour and proportion form a pleasing part of this section of Main Street. They step up in three blocks to the Alexander Memorial Hall (HB02/12/005) from the single storey courthouse (HB02/12/007). Unfortunately the buildings have been too altered to deserve listing. The tuscan door case however, should be preserved as a good relic of Limavady’s 18th century prosperity.