6 Balbane Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached two-bay single-storey rubble former thatched house, extended into attached two-bay outbuilding, built c.1840. Rectangular on plan, facing west, located on the east side of Balbane Road.

Symmetrical two-bay front elevation with central windbreaker entrance porch having lean-to concrete roof and vertically-sheeted timber half-door, opening onto large flagstone. Partially converted outbuilding to south gable has an early 6/6 timber sash window with exposed sash box.

North gable is blank except for a single diminutive window opening at attic level.

Rear elevation has a single lean-to extension and a smaller window opening with timber casement window.

South gable to attached outbuilding has exposed stone walling and a door opening at loft level with timber sheeted door and some stone steps.

Pitched corrugated iron roofs, that to converted barn is higher than that of house, with a rendered brick chimneystack to either gable end and cement barge to north gable. Plastic rainwater goods. Lime-wash over rubblestone walling. Square-headed window openings, concrete sills and timber sash windows.

Isilated rural
setting with front gravelled area enclosed by mature trees and a short lane opening onto Balbane Road to the west.

Roof Corrugated iron
Walling Lime-washed rubble stone
Windows Timber sash
Rainwater goods Plastic

Historical information

The building first appears on the second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1854 as a simple rectangular structure, replacing an earlier building nearby which is present on the first edition (1832-3). By the third edition (1905) the building has gained an extension that joins it at right angles to the north west.

Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) lists a house, offices and land occupied by Michael Devine. Buildings are valued at 15s, later raised to £1. The Devine family remain the occupiers throughout the period covered by Annual Revisions (1860-1929).

By 1933 Eliza Devine is the occupier under land purchase legislation of the early twentieth century. The value of the house is raised to £1.5s and 10s for outbuildings. The house comprises a kitchen, two bedrooms, a p[antry?] and small loft. Measurements are given for the house (42x18x11), and an extension (outshot? Porch?) of 8x4x6.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/6/1 – First Edition OS Map (1832-3)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/6/2 – Second Edition OS Map (1854)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/6/3 – Third Edition OS Map (1905)
4. PRONI OS/6/6/6/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map (1952)
5. PRONI VAL/2/A/6/6 – Griffiths’ Valuation Map
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/42D – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/39/8A-F – Annual Revision Records (1860-1924)
9. PRONI VAL/3/D/7/10B/2 – First NI General Revaluation: 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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Two-bay, direct entry, single storey former thatched vernacular dwelling on the east side of Balbane Road, with a partly converted 2 storey outbuilding. This house retains its essential character both externally and internally with lime-washed rubble walling and timber sash windows externally and original hearth and boarded doors and ceilings internally. It enjoys an unspoiled rural setting and is an increasingly rare example of a mid-nineteenth century vernacular house.