Ulster Bank,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached symmetrical three-bay two storey Ulster Bank built c. 1865; located to the west side of Main Street, Castlederg. Square-on-plan facing east with two-storey return at rear; single-storey flat-roof extension at re-entrant angle.

Roof is not visible above ashlar parapet with eaves cornice supported on corbels and surmounted by ashlar blocking course; replacement uPVC rainwater goods. Walls are roughly dressed squared-and-snecked rubble with ashlar banding and stepped quoins over projecting moulded plinth. Windows to principal elevation are 1/1 timber sliding sashes contained within ashlar surrounds with pedimented head and keyblock detail; splayed projecting cills. Replacement timber casement windows at north, south and west elevations with projecting masonry cills and smooth rendered banding unless otherwise stated.

Principal elevation faces east; central entrance door flanked by two windows at each side; five windows at first floor. Entrance comprises double-leaf replacement timber panelled doors flanked by crocketed pilasters surmounted by stone transom and rebated round-arched headed opening containing plain timber fanlight. Metal signage panel; ‘ULSTER BANK/ LIMITED’ at right of entrance.

South gable is abutted off-centre at left by square-plan stone piers with stone copings supporting replacement metal gates. At right of pier, a round-arched-headed chamfered opening with moulded springer stones containing replacement 1/1 fixed window; left of pier, a square-headed 1/1 window. Two windows at first floor; left is square-headed, right round-arched-headed.

West elevation is abutted at right by two-storey (slightly-lower) extension containing stairwell; single-storey flat-roof extension at re-entrant angle; exposed section contains single window at ground floor; three windows at first floor (diminished).

North elevation contains two windows at ground floor; that at right diminished; single window at right at first floor.

Return has flat roof; walls are roughcast rendered; south elevation contains single fire door at right at ground floor; west elevation contains single window at first floor; north elevation is abutted by single-storey extension.

Single-storey extension (containing vault) has flat-roof; walls are ruled-and-lined rendered; west and north elevations are blank.

The rear of the bank is enclosed at south-east by replacement metal gates. Bound at north and south by random rubble walling and adjacent buildings; rear yard enclosed at west by single-storey and two-storey outbuildings with pitched natural slate roofs; walls are roughly coursed rubble and contain a series of round-arched-headed openings with brick surrounds ; replacement 1/1 timber casements and timber-sheeted doors. Set within Castlederg town on the west of Main Street; bounded to road by replacement cast-iron railings on plinth wall (detailed as plinth).

Roof Not visible
Walling Roughly dressed squared-and-snecked rubble with ashlar dressings
Windows 1/1 timber sliding sashes contained within ashlar surrounds with pedimented head and keyblock detail
RWG Replacement uPVC

Historical information

10/02/016 Ulster Bank, 27 Main Street

The Bank was built c.1865 and its exterior remains largely unchanged. The interior has been extensively modernised.

Buildings are on the site from the first edition OS map in 1833. The Townland Valution town plan (c.1834) shows five dwellings on the site, listed in the fieldbooks as houses, offices and yards. Griffith’s Valuation map town plan shows the bank drawn onto it at a later stage. The bank is first entered in Revisions in 1869 with Hugh Anderson listed as the Manager. The building is leased from Gilbert McHugh. Its value is £40 and a marginal note states, ‘Cost about £1800’.

According to Knox, “the branch of the Ulster Bank was opened on 26 Dec 1865, probably in temporary premises. By 1867, it was situated in the same site as at present on Main St.” The office was renovated in around 1965. (Knox, p.85)

According to the online Dictionary of Irish Architects, the architect was Thomas Jackson.

Externally the bank has remained largely unchanged with the exception of a rear (west) return and vault to re-entrant angle; both built during the late twentieth century; neither are of any significant interest.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/16/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/16/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1853)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/16/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1905)
4. PRONI VAL/1A/6/16 -Townland Valuation Map
5. PRONI VAL/1/D/6/3 -Townland Valuation Town Plan (c.1834)
6. PRONI VAL/1B/626A -Townland Valuation Records (1828-1840)
7. PRONI VAL/2/D/6/5 -Griffith’s Valuation Town Plan
8. PRONI Griffith’s Valuation, printed copy -Union of Castlederg
9. PRONI VAL/12/E/166/1 -Annual Revision Records Town Plan (1904-9)
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/35/6A-F -Annual Revision Records (1860-1929)

Secondary Sources
1. Dictionary of Irish Architects http://www.dia.ie
2. Knox, William J. “Decades of the Ulster Bank: 1836-1964.” Belfast: Board of Directors, Ulster Bank Limited, 1965.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

Detached symmetrical three-bay two storey Ulster Bank, built c. 1865 and designed by Thomas Jackson, one of N Ireland's most significant architects, located to the west side of Main Street, Castlederg. Despite retaining little internal detailing or plan form the building's front facade in particular is of very high quality. This bank stands out as being of higher architectural interest compared to adjacent buildings in terms of its detailing, massing and proportion and contributes significantly to the architectural heritage of Castlederg.