Market Yard

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A segmental arched stone gateway linked by wall to single storey small double pile stone building.

A gateway built of rusticated ashlar sandstone with segmental arch having shaped voissoirs. Above voissoirs a cornice with raised platform and stepped blocking piece. Gateway similar on external and internal sides. A random rubble stone wall, which reduces in height with curve, links the arched gateway to small double pile weighbridge office. The street elevation consists of 2 random rubble gables, each with single modern window with chimney stack having single pot. The elevation to Market Yard is similar without chimney stack. Flanking wall has single door. There is a door in the boundary wall linking weighbridge office to gateway.

Within the market yard, which is an ‘L’ layout there is a large double lean-to derelict store built of coarse random rubble. Several openings in the larger gable have been trimmed with redbrick in more recent alterations. There are good large sandstone quoins. A high random rubble stone wall continues along the northern side and returns on the east as far as the gateway and reducing in height. Against it is another narrow lean-to store with slated roof.

Historical information

Market Street was created in 1833 and the market yard is not indicated on the O.S. Map of 1856. The first market house according to the O.S. Memoirs “stands in one of the principal streets and near the centre of the town. It is a plain 2-storey building. The lower part is viewed as a sort of shambles on market place ……….” The present market yard was formed in 1858 when the gateway was erected. Recently the market yard has been acquired by a developer. Consent has been given to construct housing within the yard retaining the character of the boundary wall and entance.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Antrim sh. 8.
2. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Antrim IX 1830-2, 1835, 1838-9
Ed Angelique Day, Patrick McWilliams and Noirin Dobson p. 94.

Secondary Sources
1. UAHS Glens of Antrim p. 50.
2. Pevsner, A History of Building Types p. 235, 236

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
V. Authorship
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

The ashlar built gateway of 1858, in neo-classical style is typical of the Victorian provincial market yard portal with its enclosing walls and perimeter spaces for produce sales etc and devoted to marketing. It and its context are of historical and architectural interest.