Ports House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A symmetrical one-and-a-half storey / three bay house (with gablet to central bay) aligned SE-NW close to the shore of Upper Lough Erne at the S of Ports Townland.

Pitched artificial slate roof with two cement-rendered chimneys; one set perpendicular to ridge at party wall between each bay. Overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails support half-round metal rainwater goods. Walls are harled with contrasting stepped stucco quoins and base course. Windows are modern 6/6 timber top-hung casements in painted reveals with stone cills.

Principal elevation faces NE. To centre is a timber door with glazed top panel (nine small panes) and three-paned sidelights. Above, set into the gablet, is a window. Left and right bays each have a window to ground floor.

Left gable has two windows to upper floor.

Rear elevation is abutted to right of centre by a single storey return (see later). Left bay has a window to centre. Exposed section of central bay has a window placed to immediate left of return and a pair of 2x3 side-hung casements to upper floor set at right. Exposed section of right bay has a window to immediate right of return. The return has a flat tarred roof enclosed by cast-iron railings. SW face has a pair of 2x3 side-hung casements. Left cheek has a timber door. Right cheek is blank.

Right gable has a window to upper floor.

Outbuilding:
To N of house is a one-and-a-half storey outbuilding which has been converted to guest accommodation. It has a pitched natural slate roof supported on several stone eaves corbels. There is a cement-rendered chimney placed to either side of centre. Walls are painted and lime-rendered over rubble stone. All doors are modern t+g sheeted and windows are 2x4 side-hung timber casements. The interior has been refitted with modern facilities, of no interest.

Setting:
The house and outbuilding occupy an attractive and secluded site close to the shore of Upper Lough Erne. They are well concealed by a maturely planted garden and accessed by a long lane from the road.

Historical information

A building is shown here on the 1834 OS 6" map. It is not cited in the first Valuation book, indicating a one-storey vernacular structure. In 1862 it was occupied by John McCaffrey and valued at £1.5s.0d (unfortunately the building’s dimensions are not given in the manuscript version of this Valuation book). There are no subsequent changes to this valuation. This low valuation would accord with a one-storey house, not the present substantial two-storey one, the style of which suggests a late 19th or early 20th century date.

Primary sources:
1. OS 6” map, 1st edition (1834), Co Fermanagh sheet 39 (PRONI OS 6/4/39/1).
2. Second Valuation book, Galloon Parish, Lisnaskea Union.
3. Valuation Revision books, 1866-1929 (VAL 12B/28/14A-E).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A pleasant modestly-sized house of good proportions and lobby-entry plan form, attractively situated close to the shore of Upper Lough Erne. It has been sympathetically refurbished and retains some character but few original features of interest.