Lisky,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached symmetrical six-bay two-storey house, built c.1820, located to the west side of Myrtle Road, Strabane. Rectangular-on-plan facing south with two-storey return at rear built c.1840; return abutted at north by single-storey extension at rear built c.1890. Two-storey extension to west, c.1960. Further single- and two-storey extensions to north-east and north-west angles built c.1970.

Roof is hipped natural slate, blue/black clay ridge tiles, three smooth rendered corbelled chimneystacks with octagonal clay pots. Corbelled eaves supporting u-profile cast-iron rainwater goods; walls are pebbledash with recessed smooth rendered plinth and projecting stugged stone finish stepped quoins; windows are 8/8 timber sliding sashes (diminished in height at first floor) with smooth rendered banding and projecting stone cills.

Principal elevation faces south; and appears as a pair of three-bay semi-detached houses with entrances at left and right, each flanked by window at each side and each with three windows at first floor. Right entrance accesses the original 1820’s house at centre and comprises replacement six-panelled door contained within replacement sidelights and flanking colonettes supporting cornice and original sunburst fanlight. Left entrance contains replacement six-panelled door with sidelights and transom light over.

Left (east) elevation contains two windows at ground floor, at first floor, at right, single window, at left, single replacement casement window (diminished).

Rear (south) elevation is abutted at left by two-storey return with pitched natural slate roof; exposed section contains replacement timber glazed door with replacement 8/8 timber casement at left; at first floor, two 6/6 timber sliding sashes at right, two replacement casement windows at right. Exposed section at left is abutted at re-entrant angle by two-storey extension, at left, blank.

Right (west) elevation contains single window at left at each floor.

Return has pitched natural slate roof, walls are pebbledash with recessed smooth rendered plinth. North gable is abutted by one-and-a-half storey L-plan extension with lean-to natural slate roof, (hipped at right corner); exposed section is blank. Left cheek is abutted by two-storey extension at left re-entrant angle, at right, window at each floor. Right cheek is abutted at ground floor by single-storey extension with asbestos tiled lean-to roof; exposed section contains single window at first floor.

Single-storey extension west elevation contains two replacement 3/6 timber casement windows.

One-and-a-half storey extension north elevation contains single 3/6 timber casement window at ground floor; three 3/6 timber sliding sash windows at first floor. Left cheek contains vertically sheeted timber loft door at first floor. Right cheek contains replacement 2/2 timber casement at ground floor.

Two-storey extension built c.1850 has lean-to roof; walls are pebble-dashed with smooth rendered banding to north-east corner. North elevation contains replacement timber panelled and glazed entrance door at right with smooth rendered banding. West elevation contains replacement window at each floor.

The house encloses the south side of quadrangular concrete courtyard at north with a range of single- and two-storey traditionally constructed outbuildings; original features include lime rendered rubble walls and vertically timber sheeted doors; the outbuilding at north has a pitched Irish slate roof laid in diminishing courses. House is bound at south by random rubble walling with segmental coping and hedging; two paths which lead to each principal entrance are accessed via a pair of painted wrought-iron gates.

Roof Natural Slate
Walling Pebbledash with stugged finish stepped quoins.
Windows 8/8 timber sliding sashes
RWG U-profile cast-iron

Historical information

The house appears to date from c.1820, with a two-storey return built c.1840. The return is abutted by a single-storey extension built c.1890. The house has been extended to the west, c.1960, to provide further living accommodation. Some remodelling of the adjoining hall (F05) can be seen through the change in thickness of the wall above sill level, indicating that the wall may have been rebuilt over this level at the time of extension. Single- and two-storey extensions to north-east and north-west angles were built c.1970.

‘Lisky’ is shown on the first edition OS map of 1832-3, as a rectangular structure. The second edition OS map of 1855 shows a return on the north elevation and an additional outbuilding to the west. On this edition the east wing is missing, perhaps undergoing remodelling. A slight extension to the rear of the east wing may date from this era. A ‘Flax Kiln’ is shown to the east. (A flax kiln would be used, during uncertain weather, for drying flax stems after they had been retted in ponds. (McCutcheon p.284))

The third OS map of 1905 shows further outhouses forming a courtyard space between the house and its outbuildings.

The property is recorded in the Townland Valuations (1828-40) as a ‘dwelling, cellar and office’, the occupier is originally Hugh and later revised to John Stewart. At the time of ownership change the property description revises to ‘dwelling, more of house, return, offices, etc’. The original property valuation is illegible, however the revised amount is £14.4s.11d.

Griffith’s Valuation of 1858 records the occupier of a ‘house, offices and land’ as John Stewart. The property is leased from the Marquis of Abercorn. The valuation is originally £17.10s and revised to £19 at an unrecorded date. The property has a £51 lease.

The occupier is revised to James Stewart in 1878 and he becomes the occupier ‘in fee’ in 1889.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/10/1-First Edition OS (1832-3)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/10/2-Second Edition OS Map (1855)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/10/3-Third Edition OS Map (1905)
4. PRONI VAL/1/B/638A-C-Townland Valuation (1820-1840)
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/41-Griffith’s Valuation (1858)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/42/10A-G-Valuation Revisions (1860-1929)

Secondary Sources

McCutcheon, W.A. “The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland,” London: HMSO, 1980.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An attractive and well proportioned detached symmetrical six-bay two-storey house, built c.1820, located to the west side of Myrtle Road, Strabane. The evolution of the house is apparent through a series of extensions added between 1840 and 1970; the plan form of the original 1820’s farmhouse remains largely intact, although the interior detailing dates largely from the 1840’s. Interest is provided in the provision of servant’s accommodation to the north c.1890. The appealing traditional characteristics of the façade, the interior and the semi-circular front boundary rubble walling and gates are largely intact. Within its original rural setting, with a mature garden and attractive farmyard, the house contributes significantly to the architectural heritage of the local area.