1 Coastguard Terrace

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

One of a terrace of five two-storey (+ attic)/ two-bay houses facing south-east, overlooking Kilkeel Harbour. This building is at the north-east end of the terrace.

Pitched natural slate roof is aligned at right angles to those of the other houses, such that the gable form part of the main elevation; clay ridge tiles, plain bargeboards, boxed eaves and half-round metal rainwater goods. A tall slender chimney rises from eaves at right (with projecting breast in exposed wall underneath). It has a band of yellow/ black/ yellow at approximately one third its height and also towards its corbelled top. A metal tie bar runs between it and the ridge of the roof. There is a similarly decorated chimney of square cross section at the base of the valley gutter to left (shared with the adjoining house).

The principal elevation projects forward from the line of the remainder of the terrace. Brick wall on painted smooth-rendered chamfered base. 'Crow-stepped' yellow brick quoins to both sides. There is a course of yellow brick across the façade at cill level on ground, first and attic floors. A three-course band of yellow/ black/ yellow brick (as chimney) runs across the wall near the top of the windows on all three floors, and also rises over their heads, all of which have black brick ornamental keystones. This variegated brickwork is continued across the façade of the terrace.

Main entrance is to the left. Door comprises four raised and fielded panels with brass furniture; plain transom light over. To its left is a small 1/1 painted sash. This and all other windows are painted timber with stooled granite cills unless otherwise stated. To right of door is a one-storey canted bay window with common cill and head to the three principal cants. Hipped leaded roof. Modern stained timber top-opening casements have been inserted in place of the original sliding sashes (respectively 2/1, 6/1 and 2/1 to the three cants). At first floor centre is a large window opening with a pair of 4/1 sliding sashes. In the attic apex is a single 6/1 sash.

The left gable is abutted by the adjoining house. The exposed section of the wall is blank.

The right gable is abutted to ground floor by a one-storey annex, contemporary with the main block, and the former coastguard office-cum-watchroom. The exposed section of the main block is blank except for a pair of 4/1 sashes at round floor right in a segmental headed opening. There is a 'crow-stepped' yellow brick quoin at right and the triple-course brick band also continues around from the front wall. A brick dormer rises from the roof immediately right of the chimney. It has a 4/1 sash and painted render cheeks.

The annex has a hipped natural slate roof, clay ridges, painted timber eaves and half-round metal gutters. Its wall is detailed as the main façade. Its left cheek (facing south-east) has a canted bay window, with continuous cill and head around all cants, and a top-hung stained timber window to each cant (4/1, 6/1, 4/1). This bay is a more recent addition. Its north-east façade has a 3/6 top-opening window. Its right cheek is abutted by a one-storey return; above this a satellite dish is affixed to the wall.

Rear elevation (gable) has a slender brick chimney rising from apex of roof, detailed as those to front. The chimney breast is advanced on the exposed wall below. The latter is detailed as front elevation. The ground floor is abutted by a one-storey lean-to which also returns at right angles at right to form side wall of back yard. The first floor has a 6/3 sash on each side of chimney breast and attic has a narrow 1/1 sash to either side.

The lean-to has a monopitched natural slate roof, painted eaves boards and half-round metal gutters. Brick walls over rendered base course. On left cheek is an opening and at right is a small 8/2 sash; there is a similar window to inside cheek of return. There is also a narrow 1/1 pivoted window to the gable cheek of the return.

The return has a flat felted concrete roof (with aluminium flue rising at rear), plain red brick walls and quoins as main block. Its front wall (to north-east) has a painted t+g sheeted door within an opening with stepped black brick jambs. Right cheek has a single 2/2 sash with plain dressings.

Frontage to house is gravelled and grassed to side. The yard, which is tarmac, is enclosed to two sides by rendered wall.

Historical information

Built to specifications drawn up by Irish Commissioners of Public Works in 1901. Work commenced about 1902 and the buildings were in occupation by 1904. A boathouse (HB16/03/031) was erected at the harbour at the same time. This station replaced one at Leestone Point (HB16/02/058).

Primary Sources:
1. PRONI- OS 6/3/56/3 (OS map 6" Co Down sheet 56 3rd edition 1901)
2. VAL 12B/19/14D, (1904 valuation) p.144.
3. D. Mayne, ‘19th century coastguard stations in Mourne’, in 12 Miles of Mourne, vol.7, (1996) p.25.

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
Z. Rarity
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Part of a prominent terrace overlooking the harbour and with a clear view far out to sea. The solid red brickwork is enlivened by use of yellow and black brick banding, prominent chimneys and varied fenestration. The single storey side annex, with its separate entrance, signals the 'business end' of the complex which is otherwise given over to living quarters. The architecture is in distinct contrast to the much plainer and smaller-scale 19th century coastguard houses elsewhere in the Mourne area. It is also demonstrative of the change in design from the fortified barracks of the 1800s to the more domestic structures of the 20th century. It is also unusual in a provincial context.