74 Benagh Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Located to the south of Benagh Road, just above the shoreline at the north-east corner of Mill Bay. The complex is surrounded on all four sides by a high curtain wall of random rubble masonry (mostly Silurian shale, but with some granite admixture). The upper half of this wall is of smaller stone and the clear line between it and the lower section suggests a raising of the original wall. A modern anti-intruder fence has been affixed around the top of the wall.

Incorporated into the south-west corner of the perimeter wall is a two-storey building. This has a pitched natural slate roof and its gable forms part of the south-facing wall. No rainwater goods. There is an infilled doorway in this gable at ground floor level. Above, at first floor level, is a small opening with metal security grille over. Fire alarm in apex.

At the west end of the south curtain wall is a large segmental headed opening containing a pair of modern t+g doors behind a pair of painted steel gates. The stonework around this opening suggests a new insertion or (more likely) an enlargement of an existing one.

Incorporated into the north-west corner of the wall is another two-storey building. Pitched natural slate roof with three courses of bricks to projecting eaves. Its gable forms part of the west-facing wall. No rainwater goods. At first floor on this gable is a pair of sliding t+g loading doors. Its apex carries a metal finial. A metal flue rises from the north slope of the roof.

Inserted into the west curtain wall are five small glazed openings with metal security grilles over. A section of this wall may have been rebuilt as it contains large rounded granite field boulders not in keeping with the rest of the wall. The ground to the outside of the wall has been concreted.

The north curtain wall is blank save for a metal toilet vent rising from the building at right.

The east curtain wall is also blank. At its left-hand corner one of the stones is inscribed "G [rest missing, possibly deliberately obliterated]/ ANNO DOM/ 1764".

Historical information

The wall inscription suggests that this complex originated in 1764. A circular kiln abutting a small rectangular structure, all enclosed by a wall, is shown here on the 1834 O.S. 6" map. The 1859 edition shows two kilns and a range of buildings along the inside faces of the north and west walls. The 1861 Valuation notes the owner as William Floyd of Kilkeel [a prominent merchant in the town]; Samuel Floyd is given as the owner prior to him. The complex is described as “caretaker’s house, coal stores two lime kilns and yard”. The buildings’ dimensions are given as (1) office – 6yd x 5yd x 2 storeys; (2) coal shed – 20yd x 5yd x 1 storey; and (3) store – 15yd x 6 2/3 yd. The Valuation continues: “A large yard enclosed by walls 12 to 14ft high and two lime kilns. Limestone purchased at Carlingford and boated here”. This raw material would have been converted to fertiliser, mortar and limewash. Richard Nicholson is given as the owner from 1875, and Robert Nicholson from 1888. The Valuation Revisions suggest that the kilns were used into the present century.

Primary sources:
1. PRONI - OS 6/3/55/1 (1834 OS map Down sheet 55).
2. PRONI - OS 6/3/55/2 (1859 OS map Down sheet 55).
3. PRONI - VAL 2B/3/81A, (1861 valuation) p.45.
4. PRONI - VAL 12B/19/13A, (1875 valuation) p.65.
5. PRONI - VAL 12B/19/13C, (1888 valuation) p.69.
6. Datestone.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This site’s shoreline location reflects the importance of water transport in conveying limestone to the Mourne area. Judging by the size of this complex, these kilns were probably semi-industrial in their operation and would have been of some economic importance to the local agricultural economy. Their attested mid 18th century date is also of some note.