10 Greencastle Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey shop, set in a terrace on northern side of Greencastle Street. This seems to have been built as a dwelling and shares an alley to left with adjacent property.

Pitched man-made slate roof with corbelled eaves, half round gutters and downpipe to match. Cement rendered chimney rises from the right ridge.

Front wall is lined cement rendered. At ground floor is a shop, filling entire frontage. It consists of a central door in a glazed recess, flanked by large plate glass display windows. Ground in front of door is decorated with mosaic floor stating, “McKnight” and bordered with a green quatrefoil band. The door is ¾ glazed stained timber. Its small bottom panel is finely detailed and the glazed panel is curved to head and base and etched glass, again stating “McKnight” with foliated detailing. Door has an original pole handle and over is a plain transom.

Where each glazed cheek of the recess meets the front windows is a delicate turned timber mullion resting on a smooth rendered chamfered stall-riser. All timber is mahogany. At each end is a panelled render pilaster on a chamfered base. Each has a console bracket between which runs a timber fascia with timber cornice and integral awning box over. Painted on the fascia in large print is “McKnight” and to either side in smaller print: Left, “Cash Tailors” and to right, “Seaman’s Outfitters”. Both the fascia and pilasters retain traces of gold leaf in their decoration. A modern security roller shutter box has been fitted just below fascia. At first floor are two 1/1 sliding sash windows with render cills.

The left and right elevations are abutted by adjoining premises.

Rear elevation is rendered and generally derelict, most openings are blocked up and there is a small ruinous return.

Historical information

Owner states that the shop was installed by Felix O’Hare (builder) of Newry in 1923.

House noted here on the 1834 town map and valuation. Described in 1862 valuation as 22ft x 20ft3in x two storeys. Continues to be described in the valuations as a house until 1929 (and possibly beyond as well).

Sources:
1. PRONI – VAL 1D/3/11
2. PRONI - VAL 1B/390B, p.205
3. PRONI - OS 8/15/1/3 (1860 OS map)
4. PRONI - VAL 2B/3/81H (1862 valuation).
5. PRONI - VAL 12B/19/14 (1929 valuation) .

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This complete 1920’s shop is attractively detailed with many features of interest. However, it is not of a standard to warrant statutory protection.