Boathouse on lane to

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Ruinous remains of a structure between road and cliff. A retaining wall to road encloses a passage to the rear of the remaining walls: a low rear wall and two side walls. Walls are in split rubble, white washed internally and floor seems to have been cobbled with beach stones. In ruins are pieces of slate (from roof) and red brick (from dressings to openings?). The rest of the structure has been eroded away by wave action.

Historical information

Associated with former coastguard station near Cranfield House Hotel (HB16/04/041). This station was erected early 1820s and occupied until 1880s. Boathouse is cited 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir. A local resident states that the building once had a front garden and slipway to the sea, and was occupied until the 1930s.

Primary sources:
1. Ordnance Survey Memoir, Kilkeel Parish (Royal Irish Academy, Dublin).
2. OS 6" map, 1st edition (1834) Co Down sheet 57 (PRONI OS/6/3/57/1)

Secondary sources:
1. D. Mayne ‘19th century coastguard stations in Mourne, in 12 Miles of Mourne, vol.7 (Kilkeel 1996), pp 25-6.
2. Mr Newell (local resident).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Although functionally associated with the nearby coastguard houses, too ruinous to contemplate other than recording.