Estate Cottages

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A symmetrical Gothic-Revival ‘H’ plan building consisting of a single storey central section flanked by a one-and-a-half storey cross-gabled section to either side. Each component is of two bays and comprises a single dwelling. The building is now heavily overgrown and is aligned NW-SE on the N side of Ballagh Road between Ballagh Cottage (HB12/01/040) and Ballagh Church (HB12/01/039).

All roofs are steeply pitched natural slate. There is a tall cement-rendered chimney comprising three individual octagonal stacks set at each end of central section. Half-round metal rainwater goods are supported on overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails. Gables have the remains of scalloped bargeboards. Walls are lime-rendered and painted. All windows are the remains of 2x3 timber side-hung casements with timber mullions (unless otherwise stated) and have stone cills. Many are ruinous and some are boarded over.

1) Central Section
Principal elevation faces SW and is abutted to centre by a projecting gabled entrance porch (rising above eaves level). To either side is a pair of windows with central mullion. Porch is detailed as main block and has a single window (as before, without mullion) to either side of SW face. Right and left cheeks each have a door opening (that to right is infilled).

Left and right gables are completely abutted by the flanking cross-gabled sections.

Rear elevation is almost completely abutted by a single storey flat-roofed annexe. The exposed left end is blank. Annexe has a flat slated roof; walls are as main block. There is a door opening to either side of NE face; that to left shares its frame (to left side) with a 2x2 metal framed top-hung casement without cill. Left cheek is blank, right cheek abuts the projecting cheek of the right cross-gabled section.

2) Left Cross-Gable
Principal gable faces SW and has a window set to centre of each floor. That to ground floor is a group of four 2x4 windows (detailed as before) and divided by three mullions. That to first floor is a pair of 2x3 windows with central mullion.

NW elevation has a group of three windows divided by two mullions set to ground floor left.

NE gable has a window opening to first floor.

SE elevation is abutted to centre by the single storey section. Exposed left end has a four-panelled door. Exposed right end is abutted by the annexe.

3) Right Cross-Gable
The right cross-gable constitutes the mirror image of that to left, with the exception of a t+g-sheeted entrance door to exposed left end of NW elevation (in place of the annexe).

Outbuildings:
There is an identical single storey outbuilding set gable to the road at either end of the main block (to NE and SW respectively) and linked to it by cast-iron railings. Both are detailed as house with pitched natural slate roofs (that to left outbuilding has been replaced with corrugated perspex). Each has a Gothic headed window opening to SW gable, set in an advanced brick reveal with two brick mullions. House-facing elevations each have a door opening to either end. Other elevations are blank.

Setting:
The group faces directly onto the road, with a small grassed area to front. To rear is an elevated bank planted with mature trees.

Historical information

Erected 1859/60 by James Haire of nearby Armagh Manor. Not shown on the 1859 OS 6” map. First cited in the published valuation book of 1862 (compiled 1860) as three houses (valued at £3, £3 and £2.10s.0d).

Primary sources:
1. OS map 2nd edition 1859, Co Fermanagh 35.
2. Second valuation, Co Fermanagh, Lisnaskea Union, p.163 (1860/ 1862).

Secondary sources:
1. A. Rowan, ‘North West Ulster’ (Harmondsworth 1957), p.235.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A delightful and beautifully proportioned Gothic Revival building containing three separate estate dwellings associated to the nearby Armagh Manor. Despite its present condition the building has been little altered, retaining many features of interest and a good deal of its original character. Situated between Ballagh Church (HB12/01/039) and Ballagh Cottage (HB12/01/040), the group constitutes a striking landmark.