Carrickatane and Ardcame Road, Strabane, Co Tyrone BT82 0LT

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A clachan of single-storey buildings and outbuildings with two-storey barn, all built c. 1830 and divided into two separate groups located on either side of Ardcame Road at the junction with Ardcame Road. Those to the north side of the road comprise four separate buildings, all covered in this record; those to the south side are grouped as HB10/10/021B and are located in the grounds of 15, Ardcame Road, HB10/10/20, a large detached residence built c.1930.

The buildings are arranged in a linear form along the roadside, all aligned W-E and facing the road, unless otherwise stated. They are numbered 1-4 from W to E.

Building 1:

A single-storey three-bay dwelling or workshop, located at the W side of the juction with Carrickatane Road. The roof is traditionally constructed thatch, partially visible under corrugated tin; there is a single rubble stone chimney to party wall between bays and to left gable. Walling is limewashed lime render. Windows are gone or sheeted over, but the remains of what appears to be a 2/2 sash window is visible internally.

There is an enlarged opening to centre of principal elevation and a sheeted window to either side.

Left gable has a high level window opening.

Rear elevation is built into a bank and has a large opening infilled with rubble stone to left of centre, contained in a slight outshot. There is a windows to left bay, partially covered over.

Right gable is exposed rubble stone and is blank.

The building is fronted by a heavily overgrown grassed area; the raised bank to rear is accessed by a field gate, and there is a wooded area to north.

Building 2:

A split-level multi-bay store, two-storey to the road facing elevation and single-storey to rear. Roof is pitched natural slate over corbelled stone eaves; rainwater goods are gone. Walling is limewashed roughly coursed rubble stone. Openings are t&g sheeted, unless otherwise stated, door openings have limewashed brick heads.

Principal road-facing elevation has two loading doors to loft storey and two ground floor doors with three ventilation openings to left end. There is a pair of pattress plates between the door heads.

Left gable has a loading door with timber lintel and brick relieving arch.

Rear elevation is built into a bank and has an enlarged opening with timber lintel to left and a door opening to right.

Right gable is blank.

Building 3:

A three-bay single-storey building with high eaves, heavily overgrown. Roof is pitched natural slate over stone corbelled eaves. wallign is limewashed rubble stone. Windows appear to be 2/2 sliding sash. Door is overgrown. Gables are blank; rear could not be accessed.

Building 4:

A split-level barn with loft, aligned N-S with gable to the road, and located at the east end of the group. Roof is pitched natural slate, over stone corbelled eaves. Walling is random rubble stone. Window openings are empty; those doors which remain are timber sheeted.

The two-storey principal elevation faces west and consists of three doors to ground floor (one infilled with concrete block), all with brick relieving arches. Loft has central loading door flanked by a window at either side, all with timber lintels.

Left gable is abutted by a lean-to timber structure.

Rear elevation is built into a bank and is single-storey; there is a door to right side.

Right gable is blank and overgrown.

Setting:

The group occupies a rural
setting. To east of the row is a wooded area accessed by a wrought-iron pedestrian gate. To south is a further group of traditional buildings, HB10/10/021B, and a large early twentieth century house (HB10/10/020).

Roofs Corrugated iron over thatch and Natural Slate
Walls Lime-wash over rubble
Windows Timber sash
Rainwater goods None

Historical information

A clachan is shown on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1833, comprising several buildings, most of which appear to have survived to the present day. From the second edition (1854) until the present edition, the group is captioned ‘Lower Town’.

None of the buildings appear to be listed in the Townland Valuation (1828-40), indicating that they did not meet the minimum threshold value. Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) divides the group into three separate plots with different occupiers. Two dwellings to the west of the group are occupied by James Gibson and James Todd and valued at £1.10s each. A dwelling to the east is occupied by Joseph Bogle and valued at £3.10s. All are leased from the Marquess of Abercorn. In 1870, new outbuildings are added to the latter plot and the valuation is consequently raised to £4.10s. One of the buildings to the north appears to be temporarily designated as a school house from 1875 to 1889. In 1892 William Gibson becomes the occupier of the higher value dwelling and in 1890 he is the owner in fee. In 1913 he becomes the owner of a further plot and by 1920 appears to be the owner of all the buildings in the clachan.

The First NI General Revaluation (1933-57) shows that William Gibson has built a large new house to the west of the cottages c.1930 (HB10/10/20). In 1933 the original buildings are described as outbuildings to this new house, apart from a house to the north which appears to be occupied by a member of the Gibson family who pays no rent. The outbuildings are used for hens, pigs, potatoes and turnips and there are two byres and a barn. There is also a moto house. All the outbuildings are roofed with corrugated iron or slate at this stage.

References:

Primary Sources

1.PRONI OS/6/6/2/1 – First Edition OS Map (1833)
2.PRONI OS/6/6/2/2 – Second Edition OS Map (1854)
3.PRONI OS/6/6/2/3 – Third Edition OS Map (1905)
4.PRONI OS/6/6/2/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map (1936)
5.PRONI VAL/1/A/6/2 – Townland Valuation Map
6.PRONI VAL/1/B/639A-B – Townland Valuation (1828-40)
7.PRONI VAL/2/A/6/2 – Griffiths’ Valuation Map
8.PRONI VAL/2/B/6/42C – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
9.PRONI VAL/12/B/42/26A-G – Annual Revision Records (1860-1924)
10.PRONI VAL/3/D/7/10DD/1 – Valuers’ RV Binder (1933-57)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A clachan of single-storey buildings and outbuildings with two-storey barn, all built c. 1830. The buildings are of local interest and contribute to the setting of the vernacular house and farm buildings opposite (HB10/03/020). However, although the buildings are of interest, original fabric and detailing has been lost and they do not meet the criteria for listing.

General comments

New Listing