37 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Attached three-bay two-storey former Parochial House, built c.1810, located to south side of Main Street. Rectangular-on-plan with full-height return to south and single-storey lean-to extension to south-west (built c.1985, of no interest).

Roof is pitched natural slate with blue/black ridge tiles (cat-sliding to return); raised stone verges with saddleback coping; yellow brick chimneys with replacement clay pots; dentilled cornice to principal elevation. Walls are ruled-and-lined rendered with reticulated rusticated quoins. Windows are square-headed timber-framed 6/6 sliding sash (moulded architrave to principal elevation); painted masonry sills.

Principal elevation faces north and consists of three openings to each floor arranged around central square-headed four-panelled timber entrance door flanked by pilasters and surmounted by transom light with moulded surround and keyblock; all openings surmounted by moulded cornice with scroll detail.

East elevation contains two windows to attic level.

South elevation is abutted at left by lean-to extension; exposed section at first floor contains timber casement window; abutted at centre by return containing single casement window to each floor; exposed section at right contains single window at ground floor; uPVC casement window at first floor.

West elevation abutted by adjoining house (35 Main Street).

Setting

House is directly accessed from Main Street to the north. Enclosed yard to south accessed via circular rendered pillars to south-east supporting pair of vertically sheeted timber gates. Within yard, single-storey lean-to outbuildings to east and west; roofs are corrugated metal; walls are painted rubble; square-headed vertically sheeted timber doors. Multi-bay two-storey outbuilding to south; roof is pitched natural slate; walls are painted rubble; square-headed vertically sheeted timber doors to each floor.

Roof Natural slate
Walling render
Windows timber
RWG Cast-iron

Historical information

In the Townland Valuation Records (1828-40), the property is listed as a police barrack, yard and office valued at £8 8s 0d. In Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) the property is listed as occupied by the Earl of Belmore and held in fee. It is valued at £16 0s 0d. This continues to be the case in the early Annual Revision Records. Much of the property in the town is owned by the Earl of Belmore during this period, but this the only house for which he is listed as occupier. In 1869 Henry Watson leases the property from the Earl of Belmore. In 1892 the lessor becomes the Reverend John Quinn and remains so until the end of the period covered by the records. From approximately 1897 the occupiers are priests. The valuation remains at £16 0s 0d throughout the period covered by the records.

Rowan describes the property thus; “South side No 37 is a 3-bay 2-storey house with mid-Victorian fancy stucco in a vaguely classical style” (p. 146)

The primary sources confirm some of the information in ‘Link’, the publication of the Beragh Parish Community which states that the property was a parochial house from the time it was purchased by Father Quinn and recounts an anecdote of the purchase negotiations, which were lengthy and initially not very successful. “Father Quinn found it necessary to visit the wealthy Verner family. On arrival at the manor he was courteously welcomed by the Lord Verner…who politely refused to sell the house to the parish priest. As was customary, Lady Verner came in to offer hospitality – drinks on a silver tray. She discovered to her amazement that her visiting priest had once been a neighbour. Both had been born and reared in the same townland! The very kind lady was soon able to re-open the discussion and the deal was completed that same evening.”

The article also states that the house was once a police barracks.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/1/B/627– Townland Valuation Records (1828-40)
2. PRONI VAL/1/D/6/7 – Townland Valuation Town Plan
3. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/29 – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
4. PRONI VAL/2/D/6/15 – Griffith’s Town Plan
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/41/4 A-G – Annual Revision Records (1860-1929)
6. PRONI VAL/12/E/163/1 and 2 – Annual Revision Town Plans

Secondary Sources

1. Rowan, A ‘The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster’, Penguin Books, 1979
2. ‘A Real Lady’ – Link – A Publication of the Beragh Parish Community, Sunday 5th February 1984.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An attached three-bay two-storey former parochial house, built c.1810. The house retains much of its original character externally, with good plasterwork detailing on the principal façade. The building remains an important element in Beragh, due in part to its former role as a townhouse of the Earl of Belmore (Castle Coole, Co. Fermanagh). It is a good example of a in virtually original condition