Kiltarriff Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Late 19thC two storey / three bay farmhouse set back from the road in mature grounds, on W side of Drumlough Road.

Pitched natural slate roof in three sections. The left one (as viewed from road) is aligned W-E, with gable on façade. Roof over rest of façade at right is aligned N-S, with a decorative gable to right; it is tied into the previous roof at left end. Abutting it at rear right is another W-E roof. All have terracotta ridges and overhanging eaves with decorated rafter tails carrying half-round cast iron gutters. The gables have moulded timber bargeboards pierced with quatrefoils and other motifs.

The two W-E roof pitches each have two red brick chimneystacks, one half way along left ridge and one to rear right gable, both broadside to facade. Each has a broad base and two square chimneystacks with corbelled decorative brick copings.

All but rear walls are lined cement rendered with a chamfered basecourse and a moulded stringcourse between ground and first floors. All windows are 1/1 sliding sashes with stop-end chamfered reveals and sloping granite cills (unless otherwise stated). Those to front elevation have rusticated stucco lintels to ground floor and rusticated keyblocks to first floor.

Staring with the main (E) elevation, the left hand bay (gable) advances slightly and contains a two storey canted bay window with a steep lean-to natural slate roof abutting the gable; the front and each cheek on each floor has a single window. The central bay contains the main entrance. It consists of a pair of varnished timber storm doors. They are multi-panelled and glazed (with bulls-eyes) with a leaded transom in a shouldered arch over; all are late 19thC Arts and Crafts in detail. Over at first floor is a rectangular opening (its head in eaves) divided into two panels. Each has a pair of apron panels with a two paned leaded side hung (opens in) window over. Each casement has a cusped head and is leaded in an Arts and Crafts style (as the front doors). The right hand bay is widest and under its centred decorative gable are two windows on each floor. Set in the gable is a granite plaque incised ‘Wm. Fegan / 1880’.

Left (S) elevation of main block has three windows on each floor, two to left and one to right, all with chamfered reveals. Turning left corner is the rear elevation.

Rear (W) elevation fronts the farmyard and is smooth lined rendered. It has an advanced blank gable to left, which is abutted by a single storey return at ground floor (see later). Abutting the centre and right bays is a single storey lean-to return (see later). Above, at first floor is a four paned fixed landing light with transoms at left, and at right is a gable with a window to its right side.

The left gable of the rear elevation of the main block is abutted by a single storey gabled return. It has a pitched natural slate roof and smooth rendered walls. Its gable abuts an outbuilding (see later). Its N cheek has two 1/1 windows in chamfered reveals (this face flush with main block). Its S (yard facing) cheek has a 1/1 sliding sash on left and a modern glazed door to right.

The front wall of the lean-to return at ground floor is flush with the end of the left gable. Its has a mono pitch natural slate roof and continues S to enclose the E side of the yard. Its yard-facing wall has, from L-R a sheeted door, a 1/1 sash window, steel casement window, and an open section to right side providing light to a narrow 1/1 sash window at ground floor right. The wall then advances slightly as it continues S enclosing the yard. At left is a small window and a pair of sheeted doors. At right is a vehicle opening, which serves a sliding door on its rear (E) wall. This E wall fronts the gardens of the house and is rendered as the main block. Its wall head is embattled with moulded copings to the embrasures and merlons. It has a single chimney stack to centre (as those to the main roof) and an applied stucco cartouche. There are two 1/1 sliding sashes on E elevation to right of the vehicle entrance (which has as sheeted timber rolling door).

Back into yard. The outbuilding abutting the gabled return is L shaped and encloses the remaining N and W sides of the yard. It is two storeys with pitched natural slate roof, rubble granite stone walls, sheeted doors and various window openings, all with segmental brick relieving arches.

The right (N) elevation of the main block has the decorative gable of the front roof advancing at left side. This has a canted by window exactly as the one on the façade. The remaining wall at ground floor has a uPVC door in an original window opening at left and two windows to its right. There are three similar windows on first floor, in line with openings below. All have chamfered reveals.

The S and lower W side of yard is enclosed by a single storey linear outbuilding with lean-to natural slate roof rendered walls and an assortment of original openings. Long-tailed domestic water pump to yard. Modern farmyard to W through a second vehicle entrance.

The large front garden is planted with mature trees and shrubs. It is enclosed to E (road) by a low wall of squared rock faced granite blocks brought to courses. Entrance at N end is set back and consists of two matching gate piers with overhanging copings supporting iron gates with alternate dog bars, all bars topped with cast iron finials. Cattle grid between piers.

Historical information

Built by W. Fegan in 1880. Valuation book entry of 1881 indicates that the whole of the present block dates to this time (i.e. no later returns). Mr John Fegan from Cavan ran candle and soap making premises at 27 Church Square (HB16/08/0026) in the mid 19thC. He became bailiff to the Meade Estate and acquired land on which his son William built this house in 1880. The family had a strong connection with St. John’s (C of I) Church in Church Square (HB16/08/001) many of the memorials and fittings were donated by them, and theirs is one of only two grave plots within the small churchyard.

Primary Sources:
1. Datestone.
2. PRONI: Valuation revision book, VAL 12B/22/20C, p.40.
3. HMBB Slide dated 12 January 1970
4. Information from owner in 1999.

Secondary Sources:
1. P.J Rankin “Hilltown and Rathfriland List” Belfast (1978-9)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This late 19thC farmhouse complex remains virtually intact. Its Gothic Revival and Arts and Craft details are unusual but not of special interest.