9 High Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A pedimented centrepiece of neo-classical terrace in sandstone ashlar work with central arched gateway and lateral passages.

The breakfront centrepiece has a semi-circular arched gateway, leading to Market Yard, with square headed lateral passageways on each side, at springing level of arch, a horizontal stringcourse above which, an oculus on each side with circular architrave and pivoted window. The arched gateway is without emphasised keystone but a moulded band defines the voissoirs. Over the oculii 6 pane double hung sliding sash windows, not quite square in proportion. The moulded pediment is formed in timber supported on projecting sprockets. The spandrel, in keeping with the rest of the centrepiece, is faced with ashlar sandstone. The lateral passageways were originally articulated on the gateway side with ashlar piers but the openings are now built up in a mixture of random rubble and rendered blockwork. The gateway is the full depth of the houses on either side and the upper floor spaces allocated to the house on either side. Hence adjoining No. 5/7 a doorway has been formed in the lateral passageway (see HB09/06/004B). The ceiling of the gateway is flat with boarded finish. An open iron gate is retained on the other lateral passage and also on the centre gateway. Between the top floor windows a plain recessed panel. Roof natural slates. The rear elevation is similar to that of High Street, though marred by unsightly arrangement of waste pipes and back returns obscuring lateral passages.

No. 9 forms the centre piece of the neo-classical terrace of 5 structures facing onto High Street and forming an imposing entrance to the market yard and corn store of 1839.

Historical information

This pedimented and arched gateway is part of the 2nd market project carried out in Moneymore by the Drapers Company. It was designed by the Company’s architect William John Booth, a most ambitious scheme and probably a white elephant. O.S. Memoirs refers to it “The Company are erecting a very handsome and capacious grain store and another market house, which is expected to cost from 5000 to 6000 pounds”. The Company’s map of Improvements proposed by the Deputation of 1839 shows the formal arrangement of the complex bound on the west and north by High Street and Market Street respectively. The corn store today illustrates the underuse of the project, plans of which were prepared in 1835 on the proposal of Bridger who said there was a need for such. The project was completed in 1839. “The whole pile of buildings is extremely well executed, has a most striking and ornamental appearance and is admirably calculated for the purposes to which it is destined”.

The building was listed in 1975 when G Harris was in possession. In 1983 J & M Espie occupier, was known as 9A and repairs were carried out in 1984. K McMullan was the architect. That portion adjacent to No. 5/7 High Street is now occupied by its owner. That adjacent to No. 11 High Street is part of it.

References

Primary Sources
1. O.S. Map 1832 Londonderry sh. 46.
2. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Londonderry sh. 46.
3. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry XI, 1821, 1833, 1836-7, p. 38
Ed by Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams, QUB
4. Curl J.S. Moneymore and Draperstown UAHS.
5. Curl J.S. The Londonderry Plantation 1609-1914 p.215
6. Notes, 1st Survey, E.H.S. Hill Street, Belfast
7. Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Ireland Vol II, p. 387, 388

Secondary Sources
1. Rowan A North West Ulster, Buildings of Ireland p. 425
2. Brett CEB Courthouses and Market Houses UAHS.
2. Camblin G, The Town in Ulster, p. 43, 44, 98

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

An ashlar stone faced pedimented and arched gateway with square headed lateral passageways in a neo-classical style of the late Georgian period. Well proportioned with the rear elevation a repetition of the front, though spoiled by back returns. The centrepiece with the adjoining terrace houses and shopfronts contributes greatly to the architecture of Moneymore.