Northern Bank

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey bank in two sections and sloping with street, both aligned N-S on the E side of Church Street in Newtownbutler Village. S section is set back slightly and is lower.

Both sections have a pitched artificial slate roof. N section has two brick chimneys; one to N gable and one to left of centre. S section has a single brick chimney to S gable. Advanced cement rendered and painted eaves support metal rainwater goods. All walls are wet-dashed and painted with stepped stucco quoins (at N and S ends of façade only) over a contrasting cement-rendered base course. All windows are 6/6 sliding sashes with concrete cills (unless otherwise stated).

N Section:
Principal elevation faces W. There are three openings to ground floor. At extreme left is a double-leaf four (from top to bottom) panelled door flanked by a tall 1x3 window immediately to either side. All are contained within a wide cement-rendered reveal with moulded architrave. At centre is a large (landscape) fixed pane window. Right-hand-side has a smaller fixed pane window. First floor of this section has three equally spaced windows.

Left gable has a window at first floor, set at left.

Rear elevation could not be accessed.

Right gable is almost completely abutted by the S section and to ground floor left by and entrance porch (see later). Exposed section is blank.

S Section:
Principal elevation also faces W. Abutting at extreme left of ground floor, and set within the angle of the two sections, is an entrance porch. It has a flat felted roof and corbelled eaves supported on four block brackets. A four-panelled timber door is slightly recessed between two plain pilasters and is accessed by a single stone step. The exposed right cheek has a 1x4 window with painted stone cill. Exposed right bay has a window (panelled shutters can be seen). First floor has two equally spaced windows.

Left gable abuts N section.

Rear elevation could not be accessed.

Right gable is completely abutted by an adjoining building.

Historical information

The building shown on the 1836 Valuation map is described as one storey in the first Valuation book of the same date. The site was redeveloped in the mid 19th century. According to the 1860 Valuation book, it now belonged to Jonathan Thornhill and the dimensions of the buildings are given as: house - 24ft x 18ft x 2 storeys and 39ft x 21ft x 2 storeys, porch - 9ft x 3ft x 1 storey, and return - 21ft x 9ft x 1 storey. The existing building was not therefore specifically designed as a bank, but was an adaptation of an existing house.

Primary sources:
1. First Valuation town map, c.1836 (PRONI VAL 1D/4/4).
2. First Valuation book, 1836 (PRONI VAL 1B/411A).
3. Second Valuation book, Galloon Parish, Clones Union, 1860 (PRONI VAL 2B/4/7F, p.4).
4. Second Valuation town map, c.1860 (PRONI VAL 2D/4/8, plot 8).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A much altered two-storey house, now belonging to the Northern Bank, retaining few features of interest.