9 Grillagh Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A one and a half storey, three bay, direct entry house with remains of thatch under corrugated iron roofing.

The building, that faces north-east, is approached by a short lane that leads in a north-westerly direction from Grillagh Road just over half a mile from the Maghera/Swatragh Road about two miles from the former town.

The wall construction is of stone with a harled finish above a non-projecting black base.

The roof terminates at either end by means of concrete parapets. There are three corbelled red brick chimneystacks. One rises over each gable and the third serves the kitchen hearth. Rainwater goods are of plastic.

The fully glazed entrance door is flanked on either side by a metal-framed window with side and top opening lights. Beyond this arrangement to the right (north-west) there is a pair of 6/6 vertically sliding timber windows with exposed frames and curved sash stops one of which is missing on the right hand side of the first window. Sills are of traditional depths.

At the rear starting from the left hand, north-west, corner there is a pair of 1/1 timber windows with the right hand unit opening. Next the kitchen, under a lean-to corrugated iron roof has plastic rainwater goods and a three light metal framed window on the outer face. Beyond this there is a timber-framed conservatory with a corrugated iron roof, metal rainwater goods and a two panel glazed door. This elevation terminates in a top-hung metal-framed window with a sill of traditional depth.

Against the south-west gable a brick built WC has been added. The walls have been whitened and the roof is of corrugated iron. The door is ledged, braced and timber sheeted. There is a top hung metal-framed window made up of three horizontal panes in the gable.

Historical information

The house and outbuildings appear as existing on the1831 and on the 1853 revision.

References – Primary Sources

1. OS map, 1st edition 1831, Co. Londonderry sheet 32
2. OS map, 1st revision 1853, Co. Londonderry sheet 32

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

The house is located about two miles NW of the village of Swatragh and faces NE. It is a one and a half storey, three bay, direct entry house with remains of thatch under corrugated iron roofing. Alterations to the original layout to provide an internal porch and to add a scullery are acceptable. The early roof structure remains over part of the building.