26 Boveedy Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A detached, symmetrical two-storey three-bay rendered former manse, built during the mid 19th century and located on the western side of Boveedy Road, Kilrea. Originally rectangular on plan, a substantial full height return, executed in a similar style to the house, was added to the centre of the west elevation during the late 20th century, creating the existing T-shaped plan.

Overhanging hipped slate roof with roll-moulded black/grey ridge and hip tiles; pitched roof to gabled western extension; two rendered and painted chimneystacks either-side of central ridge having three terracotta octagonal pots; smaller chimney to west gable of extension with two similar pots. Ogee metal rainwater goods with combinations of cast-iron, uPVC and replacement metal downpipes, mounted on plain timber fascia to overhanging timber-sheeted eaves. Walling is painted render over contrasting painted base. Plain square-headed window openings having painted masonry sills; thinner concrete sills to rear extension. Windows are original 6/6 timber sashes (without horns) to main house; extension has 6/6 replica timber casements.

Symmetrical principal elevation faces east and is three openings wide, vertically aligned about segmental-headed doorcase to centre, which contains an original six-panelled timber door with decorative geometric side-lights and a segmental, coloured glass fan-light over.

South elevation has regular fenestration, two openings wide with two windows at each level.

West elevation contains two windows to both right and left sides with gabled extension to centre, projecting west. Gable is symmetrical with two windows at each floor; right cheek has three on each floor; left cheek is asymmetrical having two windows either side of segmental-headed (roughly) doorcase to left-of-centre. Door is four-panelled timber replacement with glazing inserts to upper panels; plain side-lights and modern interpretation of fanlight above.

North elevation is detailed as south.

Setting
Situated on an elevated site within mature and landscaped gardens to the south-west of Kilrea, in a rural farmland
setting. Primary access is via a sweeping driveway located on the eastern side of Boveedy Road, which has a pair of conical painted and rendered diminutive piers. The drive passes a sunken garden to the west and rises to a bitumen forecourt which encircles all but the northern perimeter and projects out over a lower garage to the far west. The principal elevation overlooks further gardens to the east, the extension and rear elevation addresses Boveedy Road. Shared, secondary access is from further to the north-west along Boveedy Road, which has rendered walls with squared and capped piers lining the entrance path and separating from the house to the north and the modern stable accommodation to the west. Bovedy Presbyterian church (HB03/01/017A) and Bovedy Manse (HB03/01/017B) are located a short distance to the south.

Roof Slate
RWG Cast-iron/ replacement metal/ uPVC
Walling Painted render
Windows 6/6 timber sashes & 6/6 replacement casements

Historical information

The former manse for a former Boveedy congregation dates from the mid-nineteenth century and is first shown on the third edition OS map of 1905, captioned ‘Manse’, near to the ‘United Presbyterian Ch[urch]’. Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) lists the house and small garden at a valuation of £4.5s. The house was occupied by Rev James Fitzpatrick and leased from James Orr. By the 1860s the valuation had risen to £7 suggesting some improvements at this time. Occupancy then changes with incumbency, with Rev Balderston (1867) followed by Rev Walter Buchan (1876). At the time of the 1901 census, Scot Margaret Buchan, widow of Walter was resident with her daughter in the eight-room house which was designated second class. Buchan was the last minister of this congregation and in 1906 the house passed to Thomas Simpson and thence to a succession of tenants. The 1911 census records John Henry, labourer, resident with his son, also a labourer, and two granddaughters who had been born in County Donegal and in Scotland.

A congregation has been established in Boveedy since at least 1680 with the meeting house serving the Tamlaght, Kilrea and Boveedy districts. In 1770 an additional church was built in Kilrea and both churches were to be served by a single minister. However, the Boveedy congregation were dissatisfied with this arrangement and approached the Secession Synod. A Secession congregation was therefore established here from 1780, although they remained in the old meeting house. After a dispute about the settlement of a minister, part of Boveedy congregation joined the Associate Presbytery. A new church was built to the north of the old one and James Fitzpatrick from Killaig was ordained to the charge of Boveedy and Knockloughrim in 1846. Mr Fitzpatrick was succeeded by Mr James C Balderston (1865-68) and by Mr Walter Buchan (1868-1896), following which the congregation gradually died away. The former meeting house is now used as Boveedy Orange Hall. (History of Congregations) The present building continues in use as a domestic dwelling.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/5/27/1 First Edition OS Map 1830
2. PRONI OS/6/5/27/2 Second Edition OS map 1853
3. PRONI OS/6/5/27/3 Third Edition OS Map 1905
4. PRONI OS/6/5/27/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1925-33
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/29/2A-D Annual Revisions (1864-1929)
6. 1901/1911 census online

Secondary Sources

1. “A History of Congregations in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1610-1982” authorised by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Belfast: Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, 1982 (available at www.presbyterianhistoryireland.com)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A detached, two-storey, three-bay rendered mid 19th century house, built in a restrained Georgian style. Originally rectangular on plan, this former manse has been significantly extended through the addition of a two storey extension to the centre of the west elevation, during the late 20th century. Characterised by regular openings and simple detailing the proportions and general architectural character of the main house remains and it's interest is enhanced by a large and mature garden and its association with the former Boveedy congregation.

General comments

Listing Criteria R - Age and S - Authenticity also apply.