Former Market House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

**This building was originally included in the listing of the Downshire Arms complex ( HB16/07/005A). The complex was delsited and relisted on 25 June 2002 with the Former Market House excluded.**

Right (E) of a pair of two- storey early 19th C buildings at NE corner of Main Street / Rathfriland Road junction in centre of Hilltown. Both were extensively refurbished c.1993. Left (W) block comprises original inn (HB16/07/005A), and this (E) block the former market house (with court house above), all now amalgamated into present hotel.

This (E) block is a two storey/ three bay former market house (with court house to first floor), with clock tower over. Pitched natural slate roof with skews and painted rendered to each gable. To centre of ridge is a cupola containing a clock. It is square in plan with a leaded base. Each cheek is timber, framed with plain pilasters. Front (S) has a modern clock face (Roman numerals are peeling off). Each remaining face has a semicircular headed louvred timber vent. Above is an overhanging timber cornice upon which rests the leaded dome terminated by a fish weathervane.

Central bay advances forward slightly under a pedimented gable that ties into the main roof. Modern metal rainwater goods on rendered two stage eaves course (downpipes run down each side of the advanced central bay). Gable has a modern light fitting attached.

Walls are painted smooth render with a projecting basecourse and platband between ground and first floors. Each ground floor bay is filled with a semi-elliptical headed archway, with ashlar granite jambs, voussoirs and keyblock. A platband runs across façade, the arches rising from imposts thereon. Left and right bays both have two electric wall mounted lights affixed.

The left arch is infilled and now contains the main entrance. Panelled and painted timber door, with glazed sidelights, timber apron panels and a three-piece semi-elliptical headed fanlight. On wall to left of this is a modern metal plaque inscribed “Clonduff Development Enterprises Ltd. / This plaque commemorates the / official opening / of / the Downshire Arms / by / Mr William McCarter / Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland / and / Mr John Murray / Permanent Secretary / Department of Environment for Northern Ireland / 7 December, 1993”. The central arch is infilled (as main walls) and now has a 6/6 sliding sash window with ashlar granite cill. The right arch is completely filled with a large pair of sheeted timber doors (each with a horizontal barred opening to centre); its head is infilled with a sheeted timber panel. There is a large 6/6 sliding sash window centred to each first floor bay.

The left gable is abutted by the lower W block; the wall over is painted smooth render.

Rear elevation has the coachway to left, advanced pedimented middle bay, and is abutted to right by the single storey extension from W block. Rear wall is as façade with similar eaves and pediment detail. The rear of the coachway, on left bay, is plain and all modern, providing delivery access to the kitchens. Central bay is partly abutted at ground and first floors by the east outbuilding. There is a spoke-headed fire escape window at first floor right. The right bay has a 6/6 sliding sash window at first floor.

A lower building abuts right gable. Wall over is painted smooth render and has a modern TV aerial attached.

Historical information

There is definitely no market house shown on a large-scale map of 1803. Thomas Duff appears to have been responsible for the market house. In a letter dated 29/09/1828, he wrote to Lord Downshire’s agent to say that he would be shortly visiting Hilltown to supervise its construction – it is unclear whether there was an earlier building on the site, or an infill between two existing gables. In a letter of 1834, Duff reminded Downshire’s agent that he was due £200 for the inn and £300 for the market house. This indicates work was carried out to the inn as well.

Both buildings and associated outbuildings (HB16/07/005A, B, C) are shown on the 1834 valuation map.

Primary Sources:
1. Map of Carquillan, 1803 (PRONI: D671/M1/21).
2. Valuation map, 1834 (PRONI: VAL 1D/3/10)
3. First valuation book, 1835 (PRONI: VAL 1B/354. P.29).
4. Two photographs dating from 1950s in N.I. Architectural Archive, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast.
5. Two Photographs of facades dated c.1978 in Architectural Archive.

Secondary Sources:
1. P.J. Rankin, ‘Buildings of Hilltown and Rathfriland’ (Belfast 1978), p.20.
2. M. Jope (ed), ‘An Archaeological Survey of County Down’ (Belfast 1966), p.415.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed
Not listed

Evaluation

Modernisation has resulted in loss of much original detail and major alteration to the plan form and this building is no longer special enough to merit listing.