"William John's"

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single-storey/ three-bay semi-detached vernacular dwelling facing ESE reconstructed on the footprint of an original dwelling.

Scollop flax thatch roof, wired at the eaves and with massive raised concrete skews to gable and party wall. There is a single whitewashed masonry chimney on the internal cross wall. Walls are wet dashed and whitewashed.

Principal elevation faces into yard. Entrance is at left of middle bay. Comprises a painted t+g half door approached by a granite sett pathway and lit by bulkhead light. To left are two windows: that furthest left is a 2/2 sliding sash, and to the right is a narrow 1/1 sash. To right of entrance door are two windows: a 6/6 and a 2/2 sliding sash. All windows have exposed boxes and granite cills.

Left gable forms party wall with adjoining dwelling (HB16/05/001D).

Rear elevation has a 1/1 and 2/2 sliding sash at left and right respectively of left bay, and two 2/2 sashes to right bay, all of differing sizes. There is also a gas regulator and flue on this elevation.

Right gable is blank and has large corner foundation boulders.

Setting:
This is a prominent site overlooking the Kilkeel River. It is delineated by dry boulder granite walls, partly original, part rebuilt and part new. The few perimeter trees are of importance to the character of the site. Carriageways are paved in quarry dust/crushed shalestone and edged with granite kerbstones. Walkways are granite setts and the remaining open space is grass with small beds of flowers. There are a number of gates. Some are old, but those on the vehicular entrances are newly made to traditional designs. Each house has a specially designed cast metal plaque as part of the refurbishment.

Historical information

Clachan shown on 1834 OS 6” map and subsequent editions.

Sources:
PRONI – OS 6/3/56/1 (Down sheet 56).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Forms part of an important vernacular grouping (clachan). However this unit is a new construction.