Silversprings House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 2 storey, 3 bay wide house in the Cape Dutch style with SE front with central and other curvilinear gables with crisp white finish with double pile back return of unequal lengths.

The SE front, symmetrical, 3 bays wide, with a convex canted bay with central single metal and glazed French window on each side a double hung sliding sash 2 pane window with panelled sash boxes, the whole projects beyond the general façade forming a breakfront and is surmounted with a singledouble hung sliding sash 2 pane window and curvilinear gable with freely interpreted scrolls linked with horizontal moulded stringcourse and forming a frame to the window and above a moulded segmental pediment.

At ground floor on each side of breakfront a tripartite window with double hung sliding sash 2 pane lights. Above these single double hung sliding sash 2 pane dormers, just breaking the eaves line and cornice and flat roof. Walls roughcast rendered, painted white, the curvilinear gables form barge stops and kneelers to roof, finished in greenish Westmoreland slates. 4 downpipes and metal gutter. Chimney stacks are set back on ridges of return roofs and are tallish, roughcast, painted white with tall red pots.

The SW entrance front is 2 bays wide with entrance inserted in the shorter of the back returns. This is set in a 1 bay loggia with Tuscan columns on each side. A frieze and cornice with urns on top in line withthe supports. Under the loggia canopy a frame and panelled entrance door with sloped head and fanlight is divided into 8 small panes. Good ironmongery. To left of door a double hung sliding sash 24 pane window with exposed sash boxes. The small panes pick up the theme of those in the fanlight. Above the entrance a single double hung sliding sash 2 pane window/dormer breaking the eaves line as on the SE front. Hipped roof to return with chimneystack in slope. Neat eaves detail.

The NE front has a breakfront curvilinear gable with 4 bay return terminated with another curved gable. The gable has a tripartite ground window as before and above a single double hung sliding sash 2 pane window. The gable is without scrolls or framing but has a segmental pediment. The return has 4 similar 2 pane windows at ground and 1st floor. The 1st floor windows again breaking the eaves line with repeat detail. The 2 middle windows at 1st floor are coupled under a combined flat roof. There are 4 downpipes, roof as before 2 chimney stacks, one on ridge, other on slope. The NE curved gable forms barge and kneelers and a single flue chimney stack pieces the back of the segmental pediment.

The rear elevation is in and out because of the back returns with enclosing wall to small rear yard. Quality of detailing maintained.

The house is sited on rising ground overlooking Quay Road with well laid out garden practically surrounding the house with mature trees to rear. The garden to SE in terrace. Recently the site has been the subject of further development with other houses encircling Silverspring but has been well done and no hedges enclose the latter.

Historical information

The house was built for a Major and Mrs King in 1929. He served in S Africa and his wife was S African who apparently had some wealth. The house was designed by officer colleague of Major King, unfortunately the drawings are unsigned. No. 22, former gate lodge, was built first and the Kings resided there until the house was completed. She survived him for a considerable number of years. The house was then occupied by a family called Fairley. The small estate was purchased by Kennedy of Coleraine over a decade ago who developed the site altering the driveway and erecting detached houses with Silver stream as the central feature.

The gate lodge is retained as No. 27 Quay Road. The present owner purchased the house 8 years ago.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1832 Antrim sheets 5 and 9.
2. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Antrim sheets 5 and 9.
3.. O.S. Map 1904 Ballycastle
4. O.S. Map 1972 Antrim 8-8 SE-3
5. Original house plans dated 1929 in possession of present owner.

Secondary Sources
1. Ballycastle Conservation Area Booklet

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

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

A well maintained Cape Dutch style house of 1929, which retains practically all of its original detailing and built-in fittings. Enjoys a pleasing setting and has not been spoilt by the surrounding development, though it has lost its larger garden. However the original conception can be appreciated with the original gatehouse now No. 22 Quay Road (HB05/14/030B).