Ballyclose House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey six bay building in a simple sub-Georgian style with white pebble dash render, man made slates, PVC rainwater goods and PVC windows. Probably originally a five bay building as the windows near the west gable are slightly out of sequence with the rest and the rebuilt brick chimneys on the ridge above are located flanking a five bay composition. A rendered and painted surround sits out from the face of the south facade around the entrance door which is located in the central bay of the five. The surround has a cornice and a slightly pitched head but no other decoration. The door is flanked by Tuscan pilasters supporting a thin entablature and a plain segmental fanlight above. Cills are painted stone. The tall windows are divided into three horizontal panels on each floor.

Both gables are blank.

To the rear a pitched return sits out to the northern side, a flat roofed return aligns to the south. There are velux type rooflights in the roof. The rest of the site is enclosed by a single storey shed with monopitched corrugated metal roof.

Historical information

Built in 1876 by George Alexander of Roe Park (HB02/12/031) for two of his sisters. It remained in the Alexander’s possession until just after the First World War. In the late 1920s Dorothy Bacon bought the building and used it as a hotel until after the Second World War. It was called ‘La Harna House’. After this a Mr Wilson used the building as his residence and veterinary surgery. The surgery was accessed via a door (still remaining) on the westernmost bay. He sold it to a Mr James McNicholl during the 1960s. The present occupant bought the building in 1983 and has carried out the renovations to the facade, roof and rear. Some Victorian railings remain to the front of the building. The remaining railings and moulded pillars were removed to facilitate forecourt parking to the furniture shop.

Reference:

Occupant - Mr T O’Brien

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

As shown by slides of old photographs, the building was once a very important part of the composition of Ballyclose Street. Now, however the context has all been removed and the quality of the building has been reduced by renovations and alterations.