Coolmere

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey/ three-bay Victorian villa of simple classical proportions and symmetrical design on east side of Greencastle Street. There is an identical house to its left which has been incorporated into the Kilmorey Arms Hotel (HB16/03/013)

Hipped natural slate roof with two two-stage dashed and granite coped chimneys on ridge (one to either side of central bay). Half-round metal rainwater goods on projecting granite eaves. All walls are lined cement render over chamfered granite base course, with projecting ashlar quoins (pecked and fielded) to corners of façade only.

Principal elevation faces to street. Two shallow granite steps lead to central four-panelled grained timber entrance door which is flanked by similar panelled and glazed sidelights and over which is a semicircular fanlight with ‘Coolmere’ painted on in gold and red. This is set within a granite post and block opening with flush keystone and impost blocks. To left and right bays at ground floor are single, tall 2/2 (vertically divided) grained sliding sashes with granite cills. There are three similar windows to first floor, in line with ground floor openings but diminished in height.

Left elevation has a single 2/2 window (as those to façade) centred on each floor. Right elevation is blank.

At rear, middle bay is advanced to form stairwell. This is abutted by a substantial modern single storey return. Remaining wall of main block is as façade. To ground floor there is a 2/2 sliding sash window to right and a similar window flanked by 1/1 sashes to left. At first floor is a 2/2 sash to left and to right bay, in line with those below. The stairwell has a 2/2 sash at half landing between ground and first floor, and a 1/1 sash between first floor and attic.

Return has a hipped natural slate roof, concrete ridges, and plastic rainwater goods. Chimney on exposed gable. Walls are lined rendered and all windows are modern stained timber casements.

Front area is paved with hexagonal concrete tiles. Enclosed by a chamfered granite dwarf wall supporting modern steel railings, with granite posts to left and right ends (rendered at right). Front gateposts are single chamfered granite posts supporting a modern wrought metal gate. Carriage gates to rear are set at an angle on rear left corner. Squared dressed granite piers supporting corrugated metal gates.

Rear garden, approached by a pair of embattled granite gate posts, is enclosed to by a high coped granite rubble wall. It contains a rendered two-storey outhouse of no special merit.

Historical information

First cited in the 1868 valuation revision book. Owner states that rear extension was built c.1983.

Primary sources:
1. PRONI – VAL 12B/19/14A ( 1868 valuation revision book).
2. Owner (1998)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This building retains much of its original external character, and with the similar house, No.43 (to left) it forms part of an attractive pair.