Loughmacrory Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached five-bay one-and-a-half-storey former hunting lodge, built c.1840, located to the north side of Loughmacrory Road. Rectangular-on-plan consisting of main block and three gabled returns to north abutted by single-storey lean-to extension, added c.1960; single-storey flat-roofed porch to south; single-storey hipped sunroom extension to west, added in 1996; further two-storey return to north-east abutted by single-storey flat-roofed extension, added c.1960; attached single-storey gabled outbuilding to north-east.

Roof is replacement hipped natural slate with terracotta ridge tiles over deep overhanging eaves supported on paired corbell brackets; stepped rendered chimneys with concrete coping and original clay pots; sandstone chimney to return. Walls are ruled-and-lined render with painted rusticated quoins. Windows are replacement square-headed timber-framed 9/6 sliding sash with 3/2 sidelights surmounted by hood moulding with label-stops (principal elevation only); sandstone sills.

Principal elevation faces south and is abutted at centre by porch with cornice and parapet containing single 6/6 sliding sash window with hood moulding; replacement square-headed four-panelled timber door to east; remains of moulded shouldered door architrave to west (now blocked); two windows to left of porch; two replacement uPVC windows to right.

West elevation is abutted at right by sunroom containing double-leaf glazed doors with sidelights; single window to north and south (concrete sills); exposed section at first floor contains two gabled half-dormers with timber bargeboards each containing 3/3 sliding sash window; return at left contains single 6/6 window to ground floor right.

North elevation is abutted at right by gabled returns; five 6/3 windows with concrete sills at first floor; abutted at ground floor by lean-to; at left, lean-to projects and forms canopy over recessed entrance containing replacement timber-framed glazed door; exposed section to centre contains 6/3 window. Elevation abutted at left by return; to west, two timber casement windows at ground floor left, single 6/3 sliding sash windows ground floor right; two 6/3 sliding sash windows at first floor; north gable abutted at ground floor by extension containing timber entrance door and casement window and attached outbuilding containing single timber casement window.

East elevation contains two gabled half-dormers at left (detailed as west); return at right contains, at left, 3/6 sliding sash window at ground floor and two 3/3 sliding sash windows at first floor; at right, single window at ground floor and 3/3 sliding sash window at first floor.

Setting:-
Set within mature gardens with attractive aspect views to Lough Macrory to south. Bound to north and west by rubble walling with covered carport to west; to north-east, single-storey pitched rendered garage and single-storey hipped outbuilding abutted by rendered walling supporting steel gates at corner of court enclosed by rubble walling; multi-bay two-storey lime rendered rubble outbuilding to east; square rubble pillars to south east of hipped outbuilding. Bounded to road at south by planting accessed through square rendered pillars; rendered single-storey gatelodge (replacement fabric).

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Render
Windows: Timber / uPVC
RWG: Replacement cast-iron / aluminium

Historical information

The present building first appears on the 1853 OS Map, captioned “Loughmacrory Lodge,” beside Loughmacrory Lake. It appears to have replaced a simple rectangular structure that appeared on the first OS Map (1834). A “Boat Ho.” and “Gate Lodge” are also captioned and a formal garden and outbuildings are present. A further “Gate Lodge” is captioned to the south of the lake.

The Townland Valuation Records (1828-40) indicate that a house was being built on the site at the time of recording. Half the value of the plot is deducted “for want of finish of part of work.” In Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) the plot belongs to Sir John Stewart Bt. in fee and the buildings are valued at £15 with £35 for land. The value of the buildings increases in the Annual Revision Records to £20 for buildings and £36 15s for land (1860). The house continues to be owned by the Stewart family during the period covered by the records (1860-1929).

Dean describes “by a lake of that name in a remote elevated spot, a Regency shooting lodge in 1837 of Sir Hugh Stewart of Ballygawley Park. South Entrance pre 1854-demolished. North Entrance pre 1854. Plain and improved” (Dean, p.145).

Mitchell comments, “Loughmacrory Lodge, a Regency-style lodge looking west over the lough, was the last home of the Stewarts in this area and is now in private ownership. The Parish Church of St. Columba contains the burial vault of the Stewart family.” (Mitchell, p.28)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/6/36/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/36/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1853)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/36/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1906)
4. PRONI VAL/1/A/6/36 -Townland Valuation Map(1828-40)
5. PRONI VAL/1/B/632 -Townland Valuation Records (1828-40)
6. PRONI VAL/2/A/6/36 -Griffith’s Valuation Map (1856-64)
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/34B -Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/41/28A-F -Annual Revision Records (1860-1929)

Secondary Sources

1. Dean, J. A. K. “The Gate Lodges of Ulster: A Gazetteer.” (Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1994), p.145.
2. Mitchell, C. J. Haldane. “Omagh: Paintings and Stories from the Seat of the Chiefs.” Donaghadee, Co. Down, Cottage Publications, 2000.

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
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A detached five-bay one-and-a-half-storey former hunting lodge, built c.1840. The building appears from the principal elevation as a single-storey but an unusual roofscape consisting of a series of gabled returns to the rear reveals the building to be one-and-a-half-storeys incorporating the earlier house. The façade is plainly detailed and well proportioned, much of its original fabric survives in good condition and the building plan and form demonstrates its historical development. Its setting remains good and the whole is a good example of this type of small country house.