Pavillion

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single storey pavilion aligned NE-SW on south side of Manse Park, Manse Road.

Pitched felt roof. At front, oversails to form veranda, and to rear continues over a return. Plain painted timber barges to gables, with turned timber finial surviving on left gable. Painted timber eaves board to veranda has five decorative shallow segments cut out (in line with openings on main wall behind). Semicircular cast iron rainwater goods with painted plastic downpipe. Walls are painted horizontal broad modern t+g sheeting on a cement rendered base.

Front elevation is five openings wide. Each opening is separated by an advanced timber upright, with same to either end. From these rise scalloped painted timber diagonal brackets which support the veranda roof. The underside of roof is sheeted with older narrower sheeting than on walls.

Sheeted plywood door at centre, between second and third openings from left; accessed by two cement rendered steps. Remaining openings contain single windows, each with a timber cill and fixed window pane (with small top-hung transom over); all have hinged plywood security shutters.

Left gable has a single window (as those to façade) set to right of centre.

Rear return abuts whole of rear wall and is t+g sheeted. It has half-round rain gutters. It has a narrow window in its left and right cheeks, and its rear elevation is blank.

To right gable of main block is a single storey lean-to return with felted roof and half-round metal gutters. It has painted t+g walls (as those to façade) over rendered cement base. Window opening on its front wall, in line with main block. Its end face has painted corrugated iron wall, with a t+g door at left up two concrete steps.

To front is a large lawn. Along street is a random rubble wall, with metal semicircular-headed sign reading ‘Manse Park’.

Historical information

Although this park was extant during the 19th century, no pavilion is shown on any OS map up to and including the 1919 edition. The building is therefore of later date.

Local residents state that this park was donated by Mr Samuel Shannon the builder of 4-12 Manse Road (HB16/03/16A-E) to the town of Kilkeel for a tennis court. The 1886 directory states: “Lawn tennis is the only game that seems to have taken hold of popular fancy. A club was established about three years ago by the officials of the Belfast Bank”.

Primary sources:
1. PRONI – OS 6/3/55/3.
2. PRONI - OS 6/3/55/4.

Secondary Source:
1. G. H. Bassett, 1886, “County Down A Guide and Directory”, p155 (Belfast).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This building, probably dating from early this century is a typical example of a building type which is becoming scarce. However, it has been extensively remodelled and upgraded and does not merit statutory protection.