36 Drumlegagh Road North

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached three-bay two-storey former rectory built c.1870, located to the south side of Drumlegagh Road North, Newtownstewart. Rectangular-on-plan facing south with two-storey projecting gabled bay at south; two-storey (lower) return to north. Return north elevation abuts a single-storey wing aligned east-west.

Roofs are pitched natural slate; blue/black clay ridge tiles; brick corbelled party wall chimneystacks with decorative octagonal clay pots; deep overhanging timber eaves with exposed rafters supporting replacement ogee profile cast aluminium rainwater goods; Decoratively carved timber bargeboards and moulded finials. Walls are squared-and-snecked rubble stone with flush ashlar quoins, window surrounds and projecting plinth course. Windows are replacement double-glazed 2/2 timber sliding sashes with flush chamfered ashlar cills unless otherwise stated.

Principal (south) elevation contains central entrance with window over (diminished in size); two-storey projecting gabled bay at left; at right, single window at each floor. Gabled bay is abutted at ground floor by single-storey ashlar bowed bay with leaded roof containing three segmental-arched-headed window openings having 1/1 timber sliding sashes; tripartite 1/1 timber framed sliding sash at first floor with stone ashlar mullions. Entrance door is recessed beyond the front wall through a pointed-headed opening with ashlar keystone. Porch has tiled flooring, painted plastered walls and moulded ceiling cornice; decorative single-leaf timber four-moulded-panelled door with Gothic panels and iron door furniture. Door flanked by sidelights with slender colonettes and pointed-arched-headed fanlight over; accessed by single masonry step.

Left (west) elevation is abutted by single-storey ashlar three-sided canted bay containing three square-headed 1/1 timber sliding sashes and continuous decorative ashlar cornice; single window at right.

Rear (north) elevation is abutted at left by two-storey (lower) return; gabled bay at right. Gable is abutted by two two-storey (lower) gabled returns at left and single-storey lean-to at right. Exposed gable section at first floor contains single window contained within stepped brick surround. Left gabled extension north gable contains single window at each floor, right cheek abutted by second gabled return, of which the north gable contains entrance door at ground floor and single window at first floor. Lean-to on north elevation is abutted at right by random rubble boundary wall which forms an enclosed yard to the north of the house, accessed by a timber sheeted door from garden. Exposed section at left contains single window; right cheek is blank.

Right (east) gable contains two windows at ground and first floor (dipartite at first floor).

North return is two-bay two-storey and detailed as main block; right bay is gabled and contains two windows at each floor; exposed section at left contains single window at ground floor, two windows at first floor. North elevation abuts a single-storey east-west aligned wing (containing side entrance). West elevation (faces enclosed courtyard) and contains single window at each floor (that at first floor diminished).

Single-storey wing now used as utility room, aligned east-west has detailing complementary to main house; accessed from the east gable through replacement timber sheeted door with timber framed sidelights contained within cream clay brick surround; single pointed-arched-headed 1/1 timber framed sliding sash at first floor. North elevation is entirely abutted by single-storey lean-to garage with brick walling and corrugated metal sheeted roof, of little interest. West gable is abutted by single-storey lean-to extension with random rubble walling and slated roof; exposed section is blank.

Set within mature gardens to the south of Drumlegagh Road North, Newtownstewart; the house is preserved within its original
setting, containing traditionally constructed outbuildings at north. The dog-leg section to the east was constructd in 1893 according to an inscription in the south gable and the remainder was constructed in similar stule by the current owner. These buildings are constructed of partially squared rubble stone walling with natural slate roofs and painted timber windows and doors.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Squared-and-snecked rubble stone with stepped ashlar quoins, window surrounds and projecting plinth.
Windows Replacement double-glazed 2/2 (vertically divided) timber framed sliding sashes.
RWG Replacement ogee-profile cast aluminium

Historical information

The house is the Rectory for Baronscourt Church and first appears on the third edition Ordnance Survey map of 1905 captioned ‘Rectory’. On the fourth edition a hydraulic ram is also captioned.

The house is first listed in valuation records in 1874 on a site formerly occupied by James Kilpatrick and leased from the Marquis of Abercorn. A previous house on the site is valued at £1.5s. In 1874 the occupier is Rev. William Henry Wynne. The house is valued at £22.15s in 1874 and £24.15s in 1879 due to the addition of a ‘new office’. In 1890 the occupier is Rev. William O’Neill Lindsay and in 1899, Rev. Frederick Hamilton.

After 1934 the occupier becomes Canon A.P. Chamberlain and the lessor is no longer the Duke of Abercorn but the Baronscourt Estate Company (undated changes). The valuer notes that he has ‘no idea’ what value to give to the buildings. At this time, the house comprises, four rooms, a kitchen, p[antry?], scullery, wash house, five bedrooms, one dressing room, a box room, W.C. and bathroom (hot and cold water). The valuer comments, “Free to Duke’s Chaplain. House good. No electric light. Clean water fairly close. Rough water pumped to roof cistern. Garden attractive. Hydraulic ram, hot and cold.” A plan and dimensions are given.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/25/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1905)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/25/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1936-7)
3. PRONI VAL/12B/42/7A-F – Valuation Revisions (1860-1929)
4. PRONI VAL/3D/7/10E/1 – Valuers’ RV Binder (1933-57)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A detached three-bay two-storey former rectory, built c.1870 and located on the south side of Drumlegagh Road North, Newtownstewart. The house is distinguished by its asymmetric layout and late Victorian well proportioned design and detailing. The house remains largely intact both externally and internally and is enhanced by its mature setting. It is of social interest within the locality as a former rectory and has group value with the listed Baronscourt Parish Church HB10.03.001.