County Boundary Stone, 30 Rectory Road, Ballyversal, Coleraine, Co Londonderry BT52 2LA

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Boundary marker deliniating the County Antrim and County Derry boundary, of cast/ stamped concrete, set in rural location at W side of Rectory Road, 7km SE Portrush, 6km ENE Coleraine and 10km NNW Ballymoney.

Approximately 300x600x150mm, the marker is positioned in dense grass verge with mature dense hedgerow immediately behind. Base is not visible.

Lettering approximately 25 to 35mm high is cast/ stamped into front face, reading "COUNTY BOUNDARY ANTRIM DERRY". The horizontal "ANTRIM" and "DERRY" are interlaced with the vertical 'Boundary' using the "A" and "Y".

The marker is heavily weathered, covered in litchen and moss, and exhibiting severe damage/ loss of cast face to upper and top surfaces. The upper lettering is illegible, the "M" is missing from "ANTRIM", however the "DERRY" remains crisp. The marker tilts backwards to NW.

Historical information

Boundary marker deliniating the County Antrim and County Derry boundary, of cast/ stamped concrete, set in rural location at W side of Rectory Road, 7km SE Portrush, 6km ENE Coleraine and 10km NNW Ballymoney.

Approximately 300x600x150mm, the marker is positioned in dense grass verge with mature dense hedgerow immediately behind. Base is not visible.

Lettering approximately 25 to 35mm high is cast/ stamped into front face, reading "COUNTY BOUNDARY ANTRIM DERRY". The horizontal "ANTRIM" and "DERRY" are interlaced with the vertical 'Boundary' using the "A" and "Y".

The marker is heavily weathered, covered in litchen and moss, and exhibiting severe damage/ loss of cast face to upper and top surfaces. The upper lettering is illedgible, the "M" is missing from "ANTRIM", however the "DERRY" remains crisp. The marker tilts backwards to NW.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
Z. Rarity
S. Authenticity
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Small, inscribed concrete boundary ‘stone‘, one of a set in their original settings and locations on various country roads in the area NW of Ballymoney and E and SE of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, all marking the land boundary between the counties of Antrim and Londonderry. Their date is uncertain, their age is not known, but the concrete construction and the styling of the inscription suggests that they date from the very late 19th or early 20th century; it is possible that they may be associated with the introduction of County Councils following the 1898 Local Government (Ireland) Act. Though small in size and simple in detailing, these unusual boundary markers are of special interest, being of local and historical importance.