Lodge and gatescreen

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey lodge of asymmetrical layout, in a castellated Tudor style, built of conjoined flat-roofed blocks in random rubble basalt with red sandstone dressings to windows, cornices, and crenellated parapets, with a pair of gate piers and small single-storey detached block to one side, and a modern extension in painted render to the other side. Main facade faces east towards road, but entrance doorway is in rear elevation.

East front comprises a two-storey crenellated block one window wide with a single-storey crenellated block projecting forward in front of it, also one window wide, a lower single-storey porch extending to the left at the south-east corner, an engaged octagonal tower three storeys high to the right at the north-east corner, and a modern extension of two-storeys extending to the right of the tower. All but the modern extension are built of random rubble blackstone with red sandstone dressings to windows, cornices, and crenellated parapets; some crenellations newly replaced; base of all original walls have two courses which are battered. Windows to main two-storey block and front projecting block have block dressings with chamfered edges and drip moulding of Tudor Revival type; windows are rectangular timber, divided by a mullion and transom into two lower fixed lights and two smaller bottom-hung vents. Window in porch has similar surround but narrower and without drip moulding; fixed glazing of leaded translucent glass; similar windows in octagonal tower, one to each storey in front face. Cast iron downpipe with moulded hopper in corner to each side of front projecting block. Parapet to porch has deep frieze with projecting square panels; new ball finial to left-hand extremity. Extending to right-hand side of octagonal tower is a storey high basalt wall surmounted by a new concrete cill carrying a large canted bay window, timber framed with plate glass in a modern style, set in a new two-storey extension finished in cream painted smooth cement render which projects up above bay window to right-hand extremity. Wooden fascia and soffit to head of bay window in extension with cast iron gutter and downpipe; slated roof of regular courses, looks like asbestos slates; similar slates to shallow pyramidal roof of taller block of extension; cast iron gutter on painted wooden fascia with projecting square panels in rendered frieze of wall below, in imitation of frieze of original porch block. Rectangular timber ledged door containing a glazed panel, set in a simply moulded surround in ground floor to right of bay, and rectangular timber window fixed light with top-hung vent, in similar surround with unpainted concrete cill, in canted side face of bay partly hidden by curving screen wall.

South face comprises from left to right: main two-storey crenellated block, one window wide, with single-storey porch projecting forward at right-hand corner, containing two windows, and blank single-storey block set back behind porch to right.

Windows of two-storey block as previous to that block, except shallow Gothic relieving arch over lower window. Windows of porch as previous to porch: symmetrically placed one to each side of a projecting sandstone pilaster of main gateway; new ball finial to each extremity of parapet.

West elevation comprises, from right to left: porch containing the main entrance doorway, rectangular ledged timber set in a stop chamfered sandstone surround with curved top corners; robust iron door knob and letterbox; modern metal lamp fixed to wall to right of door. Projecting forward to left of porch is the main two-storey block, one window wide to ground floor, as previous, with relieving arch; above window in first floor is a large blank square sandstone panel set in a window surround without drip moulding. Cast iron downpipe to left of window and panel. Crenellated parapet as previous, but steps up at left-hand extremity to form a chimney; sandstone cornice and crenellated capstones; two tall terracotta pots of octagonal section with moulded caps. Visible behind main block is rear of octagonal tower, with cast iron hopper and downpipe.

Extending to left is new two-storey extension in two stages, with painted smooth render to walls. Shallow pitched roof to lower stage: slated, cast iron gutter and downpipes; two windows. Lower stage: shallow pitched roof, slated, cast iron gutter and downpipes; painted wooden eaves fascia; two windows to ground floor rectangular timber each with two top-hung vents over fixed lights, set in simple projecting render surround; unpainted concrete cill. Taller stage to left has pyramidal hipped roof, slated as previous; cast iron gutter and downpipe; painted wooden eaves fascia with projecting square panels in frieze below. One window to each floor, detailed as previous.

North elevation comprises from right to left: tall modern two-storey extension, one window wide to each floor, all detailed as previous to west elevation, except that upper window does not have top-hung vents. Set back progressively to left is modern canted bay window, octagonal tower with one narrow window to each storey on this face; and blank side wall of original single-storey block facing road.

Extending to south of lodge is a gateway comprising two central square piers to main driveway, with smaller pedestrian entrances to each side where shallow moulded pilasters project from the lodge and from a small single-storey crenellated block to the south. Central piers built of coursed blackstone ashlar with red sandstone weathering to offset base, and moulded sandstone tops; swept cap and ball finial to one pier, now missing from the other. Engaged piers to pedestrian entrances are of red sandstone. No gates remaining.

Single-storey detached block to south of similar detailing and material to main lodge: one narrow window to east face, with glazing missing; similar doorway to west face as to main lodge, but rectangular timber ledged door now badly damaged, unhinged, and lying inside the building; roof of concrete over rusted corrugated iron; floor of concrete; walls plastered over stonework and red brick dressings to openings.

To north and south extremities of lodge, gateway and detached block, are curved screen walls of random rubble blackstone with rough hewn copings of crenellated pattern, ending in square piers; some newly re-built walling to northern screen. Area in front of lodge is gravelled; area in front of detached block is compacted hard core; each area bordered to front by large basalt boulders. To rear of lodge gravel contained by new concrete kerbing fringing open stream to rear and rough land in garden to north.

Setting: the building stands facing the main road forming the main entrance to a large country house and its estate, set in a very rural area surrounded by open agricultural land to each side and facing it, but seen against an immediate background of mature trees.

Historical information

Appears on OS map of 1902; does not appear on OS map of 1858. Precise date not recorded and architect not known. Probably built for John McAuley who bought the Redhall estate in 1869 and thus may date from the 1870s or 1880s. It may be loosely based on a design for a castellated gate lodge published by J.C. Loudon in his pattern book ‘Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture’ in 1833.

References - Primary Sources

1. OS Map 1902, Co Antrim 47.

Secondary Sources

1. J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (U.A.H.S., Belfast, 1994), p 25.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is a Victorian building of distinct style and proportion which retains most of its external features although its original appearance has been affected by the presence of a modern extension. The building is enhanced by its attractive rural setting and is of local interest due to its association with a large estate.