3 Coastguard Terrace

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

One of a terrace of five two-storey (+ attic)/ two-bay houses overlooking Kilkeel Harbour. This building is in the middle of a group of four almost identical houses. Its principal elevation faces south-east.

Pitched natural slate roof with wide (leaded) ridge, plain bargeboards, boxed eaves and half-round metal rainwater goods; two skylights to rear pitch. A chimney of square cross section rises from the front eaves at left is shared with no.4. It is embellished with a band of yellow/ black/ yellow around its middle and also towards its corbelled top. There is a second similar, but lower, chimney to apex of roof.

The principal elevation is of brick on painted smooth-rendered chamfered base. There is a course of yellow brick across the façade at cill level on ground and first floors. A three-course band of yellow/ black/ yellow brick (as chimney) runs across the wall near the top of the windows on both 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 right. Comprises nine panels (of which the top six are glazed) and plain transom over. To its left is an opening containing a pair of 4/1 sliding sashes. This and all other windows are painted timber with shallow segmental heads and stooled granite cills. At first floor centre is an identical pair of 4/1 windows, identical but diminished in height. A roof dormer contains a pair of 1/1 sashes to front and painted blank cheeks.

The left and right gables form party walls with the adjoining houses (Nos 4 and 2 respectively).

The rear elevation is abutted at left by a two-storey return, one half of which belongs to No 2. The exposed section of the main block is of brick and has a three-course band of yellow/ brick/ yellow brick across the upper floor window (as front) and a course of yellow brick at first floor cill level. It has, at right, a pair of 4/1 sashes at ground floor, and a 6/3 sash at first floor.

The return has a pitched natural slate roof tied into the rear slope of the main roof. Plain eaves boards and square metal gutters. Walls of red brick, with embellishment as rear elevation of main block. Its end gable (facing to north-west) has a flat-headed opening, within which is a five-panel painted timber door (top panel glazed); plain transom over. A small circular electric light is affixed to the underside of the opening’s head. Its right cheek (facing into yard) has two small 2/2 sashes to ground floor, a single 2/2 sash to first floor, and various cast-iron down pipes.

Frontage to house is gravelled. At rear is a small flat-roofed shed, shared with No 2.

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 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.