Boundary Wall of Mourne Park Estate

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Estate boundary wall running E-W following Newry Road, turning N along Tullyframe Road, then E to meet Ballymageogh Road and returning S back to Newry Road.

From J 2809 1520 to J2688 1534 wall is partially dressed granite rubble brought to courses with a half round flush coping; the Green Gate is incorporated into this section (at J2736 1536; HB16/05/005A). At J2688 1534 the wall meets the White Water gate (HB16/05/007A). West from here it is of granite rubble bought to courses and with irregular copings; this section is relatively recent, having been erected when the road was realigned slightly north of its original course. At junction with Tullyframe Road is a rounded corner just right of which is a pair of granite piers supporting a pair of painted flat-iron gates.

From the SW corner of the demesne, the wall follows the Tullyframe Road north. It is of random rubble construction with an irregular coping. At J2639 1595 is a pair of ashlar gate piers with coursed rubble infill wall between them. The wall continues north to J2633 1615 where it turns east, runs for two fields and then continues on its northern course again.

From this point its course is no longer straight but runs roughly parallel with the road; in some parts it has partially collapsed but generally is in good condition. It meets the White Water River at J26321705. On the east bank of the river is an pair of ashlar gateposts defining the entrance to a track leading to the West Lodge (J2634 1702; HB16/05/065). The wall continues along the east bank, following the river NE to J26801806. Here it takes a more easterly turn and continues to ascend to its northern extremity at J2735 1848.

From this point, the wall turns SE and begins its descent, running parallel with the Ballymageogh Road. There is a simple gateway at J2767 1825. The wall continues, more ruinous and with numerous lower repairs, in a SE direction. At J2824 1643 it incorporates the gable of the East Gate lodge (HB16/05/067), which adjoins another entrance to the demesne (but without gate piers etc).

At J2825 1654 the wall turns S, forming the eastern boundary of the demesne, and continuing unbroken back to the SE corner.

Note. Sections of the wall appear on the following maps 278-10, 278-11, 278-14, 278-15, 284-2, 284-3.
The IG Ref given relates to the SE corner.

Historical information

Although the wall to Newry Road is shown on 1834 OS 6” map, remaining line of wall is not finalised until second half of 19th century. Owner refers to it as the ‘Famine wall’, which would suggest it was an employment scheme implemented in late 1840s or 1850s. Shown in its present form on the 1901 map.

Primary Sources:
1. PRONI – OS 6/3/55/1 (1834 map) (Down sheet 55).
2. PRONI - OS 6/3/55/2 (1859 map) (Down sheet 55).
3. PRONI - OS 6/3/55/3 (1901map) (Down sheet 55).
4. Current owner (1998)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Of significance in defining the social hierarchy of land ownership in Mourne, this is the only one of its kind in Mourne and an integral part of the Mourne Park demesne. However, its quality and condition do not merit listing.