THE BOTHY

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An early 19th C single-storey former house (possibly belonging to a boatman), located above the shoreline at Murlough Bay and is accessed along a narrow road leading to Murlough Cottage (HB05/04/015), a short distance to the SE. The house and a small annex on its SE gable are aligned NW-SE along the SW side of this road.

Pitched natural slate roof with (rebuilt) brick chimney on NW gable and half-round cast iron RWGs to front elevation. Whitewashed (possibly some painted) rubble stone walls, tarred along base.

Front elevation faces NE towards the sea. Sheeted timber half-door to middle, with ''Bothy'' sign above door head. Flanked to each side by a replacement 4 pane timber casement window (no cills).

The NW gable is devoid of openings and is now abutted by a small modern store with monopitched corrugated metal roof and corrugated plastic cladding over a timber frame.

The SW rear elevation is blank and is mostly obscured by the sloping ground to the rear.

The SE gable is abutted by a small single-storey, single-bay annex which is partly cut into the slope. Pitched felted roof; no RWG, and whitewashed rubble stone walls. Timber panelled door to extreme right side and small window opening (or ventilation hole) with painted black surround to front facade. SE gable of annex has rectangular ventilation hole near apex.

Setting:
Located at Murlough Bay, to the NW of Murlough Cottage (HB05/04/015) and accessed along a narrow road. A stream marking the townland boundary runs along the NW side of the premises. This is also marked by a gateway across the road where the stream passes under it. Small area of woodland to SW, but otherwise open land.

Materials:
Walling Random rubble stone, whitewashed / painted
Roof Natural slate (main block) / roofing felt (annex)
Windows Timber casement
Doors Timber panelled
RWGS Cast iron

Historical information

This building is not shown on either the 1832 or 1855 OS maps. It is first depicted on the 1904 map but had become a roofless two-bay shell by the 1922 edition. However, there is no specific mention of it in the Valuation revision books, so it may have been merely an outbuilding belonging to Murlough Cottage (HB05/04/015) further along the road.

It has been refurbished in the relatively recent past. Its name 'The Bothy' indicates a non-permanent residence, but whether this is an original or recent name is uncertain.

References - Primary Sources:
1. PRONI OS/6/1/5/1. OS 1:10,560 map, Co Antrim sheet 5 (1832).
2. PRONI OS/6/1/5/2. OS 1:10,560 map, Co Antrim sheet 5 (1855).
3. PRONI OS/10/1/5/16/1. OS 1:2500 map, Co Antrim sheet 5-16 (1904).
4. PRONI VAL/12/B/2/11E. Valuation revision book, 1901-12.
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/2/11F. Valuation revision book, 1912-29.
6. PRONI OS/10/1/5/16/2. OS 1:2500 map, Co Antrim sheet 5-16 (1922).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

A small single storey former dwelling located at Murlough Bay near Torr Head, to the NW of Murlough Cottage (HB05/04/015) and accessed along a narrow road. Dating from around the turn of the twentieth century, the building retains much of its simple original historic proportions and character with a window either side of a timber panelled door. The name 'The Bothy' indicates a non-permanent residence, however it is possible that it may have been an outbuilding belonging to Murlough Cottage. The isolated, scenic setting is enhanced by the authenticity of this small vernacular building, a type that is relatively rare in Northern Ireland and it is therefore of local interest.