"The Stables"

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Converted two-storey/ single bay barn and byre facing S with single-storey lean-to extension. Aligned down slope.

Pitched natural slate roof with blue clay ridge (one modern ventilator); raised concrete verges. Flue from rear pitch. Half round metal rainwater gutters draining to downpipes at the lower gable. The main body of the building is granite rubble brought to courses. No eaves corbel.

Principal elevation faces south. Entrance at ground floor middle has a granite threshold, smooth plastered reveals. The half door is painted t+g vertically sheeted and lit by a bulkhead light. To left is a small 2/2 window with exposed boxes and no cill.

On the left gable the ground level reaches the level of the upper floor where there is one 3/3 sash set into a former door opening.

Rear wall is blank.

The right gable is abutted by a single storey lean to extension with corrugated iron roof and raised concrete skews. Walls are wet dashed and colour washed with one 1/1 sash window. The extension is rendered and has balanced flue; the end wall of the extension is also rendered and there is a 3/3 sash

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

H+. Alterations enhancing the building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Forms part of an important vernacular grouping (clachan). The basic outline of the original building is authentic and the alterations and additions have been carried out sympathetically.