78 Drumsaragh Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A symmetrical, one-and-a-half-storey detached farmhouse, constructed c.1890 and located to the west side of Drumsaragh Road, north west of Kilrea. Rectangular plan with a central, two-storey return to rear with flanking single-storey lean-to structures to re-entrant angles; single storey extension to the west of the main elevation. Comprises a number of stone and slate outbuildings to west of farmhouse and situated within large mature gardens.

Pitched slate roof with black angled ridge-tiles and brick chimneys to gable ends with decorative clay pots. Half-round cast-iron rainwater goods (some uPVC)and plain timber fascia on projecting eaves, over profiled masonry brackets and string course; decorative barge-boards to gables (including those of extensions). Walling is smooth painted ruled-and-lined rendered. Plain reveals and surrounds; sills are painted stone. Replacement 1/1 sliding sash windows except where otherwise stated.

South facing main elevation five openings wide; central stone steps to doorcase with segmental-arched head; embraced by advanced gabled stucco surround on panelled pilasters; two sash windows to each side with slightly projecting stucco surrounds having profiled heads (obscured by vegetation). Timber panelled entrance door with plain glass pointed fanlight and side-lights. Central dormer window to attic, breaking through eaves with canopy and barge boards.

West gable has two windows to first floor. Abutting single storey modern extension in traditional style has two sash windows to gable and chimney above; three timber and glass doors to the right cheek and two small square windows to left cheek .

Rear elevation abutted by gabled central return and lean-to additions (to re-entrant angles); exposed sections are blank . Rear return has a modern window insertion to right side of gable; right cheek has two small windows on first floor, 4/4 to left side of ground floor; left cheek has a 4/4 window to first floor and 6/6 window below, diminuative casement window to left-side on first floor. East lean-to lit by 1/1 sash window; timber sheeted door and timber casement window to west lean-to.

East gable has two windows to first floor; single ground floor window to right.

Setting
Situated in a rural
setting to the north-west of Kilrea, the building is sited close to Drumsaragh Road but is concealed from view by mature trees. Accessed from the west side of Drumsaragh Road, through a set of rendered octagonal gate posts with conical caps and curved half-height walls flanking each side; cast iron gates. Bifurcated gravel driveway, the right-side leading to main elevation and left-side to the rear and outbuildings though a similar set of gate piers supporting timber gates. Gardens to east and south with heavy planting surrounding the site. Paved perimeter path leads round east elevation to rear. Two round, coursed-rubble piers flank secondary rear entrance to north with similar cast iron gates, conical capping stone and half-height rubble wall flanking gravel path to rear of building.

Range of outbuildings to west; large, one-and-a-half-storey former coach house/stable to the north west with pitched roof (re-slated), coursed-rubble walling; uPVC rainwater goods. Large segmental-headed timber sheeted doors to centre; flanked either side by timber sheeted doors, some camber-arched brick surrounds; small four-light-window to left side; ground floor window to east gable. Lower single-storey outbuilding of similar construction abuts to the west gable; central flat-arched, timber sheeted and reinforced door to stable; two louvered openings above on either side; stone fore-stair to west gable . Further abutted to west by mono-pitched building of similar walling with single timber sheeted and braced door to centre. Detached two-storey outbuilding directly west of main house with external stair; re-slated pitched roof with similar walling and brick surrounds; large double-leaf timber doors to right with long timber lintel; double-leaf timber and glazed doors to first floor balcony, surrounded by decorative metal balusters. Outbuilding has been remodelled for use as additional residential accommodation. Small single storey mono-pitched structure of rubble construction abuts to left gable with half-height wall infront; timber lintel and jambs to small doorway; remains of previous structure to left.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Ashlar stone, Smooth render
Windows: Timber sash (mostly replacement)
RWG: Cast-iron, possible areas of uPVC

Historical information

The construction of the current house at 78 Drumsaragh Road was completed in 1888, when it was first recorded in the Annual Revisions (1884-97), in conjunction with a number of outbuildings to the west. Prior to this, in 1884-1887, these Revisions had noted the house as being ‘unfinished’.

The house and associated outbuildings are first shown on the third edition OS map (1905) but field inspection supports a mid to late nineteenth century date. The first edition OS map (1830) indicates that a number of farm buildings were previously located on the site but none of these appear to survive, having been removed or replaced by the 1850s. The second edition OS map (1853) depicts a building conforming to the location of the rear return of the current house and the nearest outbuilding. These where either substantially remodelled during the late 19th century or the demolished and the current buildings constructed on the existing foundations.

According to the Annual Revisions (1867-84) the house, land and associated buildings were owned by James Johnston, a farmer (1901 census) who leased out three houses, each with a value of £0 5s. Prior to his purchase in 1872, the land belonged to the Marquis of Waterford’s estate. In 1867, the Annual Revisions valued the previous main house (and associated buildings) at £1 10s but by 1888 this figure had significantly increased to £7, reflecting the construction or remodelling of the existing farmhouse. The value of the house and outbuildings did not alter until the First General Revaluation (1935) when a decline in value was noted at £2 10s.

During the latter half of the 19th century the range of outbuildings to the west of the main house were expanded and new additions built; this was completed by the third edition OS map (1905); their arrangement has been changed little and they remain in use as stables and outbuildings.

The Annual Revisions (1898-1929) indicate that a widow Mary Johnston became head of the family in 1909 and was succeeded by her son Dr James T Johnston in 1916. The Johnston family continued to own and reside in the house until the late 20th century.

The farmhouse has undergone some alterations since construction; two single-storey mono-pitched extensions were erected during the 20th century, placed to each side of the rear return and abutting to the main building. The eastern extension replaced an earlier “morning room” and was constructed on these existing foundations. An additional pitched roof extension was added to the south-west in recent decades and the building fabric has undergone repair and renovation.

The outbuildings were reroofed during the late 20th century and the gateway entrance piers were repositioned and rebuilt (HB File).

References

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/5/27/1 – First Edition Ordnance Survey map (1830)
2. PRONI OS/6/5/27/2 – Second Edition Ordnance Survey map (1853)
3. PRONI OS/6/5/27/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey map (1905)
4. PRONI OS/6/5/27/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey map (1925-33)
5. PRONI OS/10/5/27/5/1 – First Edition Ordnance Survey County map (1905)
6. PRONI OS/10/5/27/5/1 – First Edition Ordnance Survey County map (1905)
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/5/40A – Griffith’s Valuation (1857)
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/29/2A – Annual Revisions (1867-84)
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/29/2B – Annual Revisions (1884-97)
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/29/2C – Annual Revisions (1898-1910)
11. PRONI VAL/12/B/29/2D – Annual Revisions (1910-29)
12. PRONI VAL/3/B/6/1 – First General Revaluations (1935)
13. PRONI VAL/4/B/5/6 – Second General Revaluations (1956-72)

14. Ulster Town Directories (1901-43)
15. Census of Ireland (1901-1911)
16. HB File (HB03.01.027)

Secondary Sources

1. Lewis, Samuel ‘A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland’ S. Lewis & Co, London (1837)
2. ‘Ordnance Survey Memoirs; The Parishes of Co. Londonderry, V [Vol. 18] - Maghera and Tamlaght O'Crilly 1830-39.’ Institute of Irish Studies, Queen’s University, Belfast (1993)
3. Kernohan , J.W. ‘The Parishes of Kilrea and Tamlaght O'Crilly A sketch of their history, with an account of the Boveedy Congregation’ Coleraine, (1912)
4. Sampson, Rev. George, Vaughan ‘A Memoir; Explanatory of the Survey of the Survey of the County of Londonderry’ G&W Nicol, London (1814)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A symmetrical, one-and-a-half storey detached farm house sited within large gardens and wooded land on the Drumsaragh Road, to the north west of Kilrea. The building has been progressively enlarged over the decades; reflecting the changing needs and prosperity of the occupiers. Despite these additions and the application of replacement fabric the character and proportion of the building have largely been retained. The building is enhanced by its setting within mature gardens. The associated range of traditional outbuildings are significant to the hierarchical relationship of the house and as a group they add to the significance of the farmhouse.

General comments

Additional listing criteria apply- R- Age, S- Authenticity