3 Newry Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Symmetrical three storey / three bay 18thC house situated in terrace N side of Newry Street.

Pitched artificial slate roof with rendered chimney on W gable. Two skylights on front pitch. Moulded advanced eaves course supports half round metal gutter and downpipe to E side of façade. Walls are lined cement rendered with stepped V-channelled painted granite quoins at left and painted basecourse.

Principal façade faces S to street. Central bay has a modern t+g sheeted timber door with plain transom. It is set within an original granite finely dressed Neo-Classical doorcase on a single panelled base block. Comprising a moulded architrave with decorative entablature over (fluted frieze with oval rosettes to either end and moulded cornice). There is a window on each remaining bay at ground floor and three to each upper floor. All are 2/2 vertically divided sliding sashes (with horns) and painted granite cills with the exception of that to ground floor left which is a later large fixed shop window with top ventilator transom (fretted with quatrefoils). Top left window sashes are missing. Between the left and central windows at first floor is a metal bracket for a hanging sign (now gone). Window openings to principal façade now are fitted with plywoood.

Left (W) gable is abutted by a lower building. The exposed wall over is irregularly rendered with an infilled opening at right on second floor and irregular granite stones projecting from top left wall.

Rear (N) elevation is rubble stone with brick dressings. It is abutted to centre by a narrow three storey (stairwell) return, rear elevation is partially abutted to ground floor left, and completely abutted to ground floor right with other extensions. At ground floor left is a 6/6 sash window. At first and second floor left are similar windows. The return has a hipped natural slated roof (tied into rear pitch of main roof). Its walls are as rear elevation; each cheek is narrow and blank. Its N wall has a 6/6 sash set to left at first floor and on second floor is a 6/3 window.

The left rear extension has a lean-to natural slate roof which abuts the E cheek of the first return. It has two cast iron skylights and a single modern window on its E wall. Its N gable (to narrow yard) has a doorway.

Right (E) gable abuts a taller building. (HB16/08/042 former Ulster Bank now Fisher and Fisher Solicitors)

The right extension at ground floor abuts the right bay and most of the rear return. It has a pitched natural slate roof (ridge abutting the right bay) and has a tall rendered modern chimney on its N end. It is abutted to N as a low two storey outbuilding with modern corrugated metal roof and dashed and lime painted rubble stone walls. Its E elevation fronts a small yard.

Historical information

A building matching the footprint of the present one (including returns) is shown on the 1776 Meade Estate map. It is shown on the 1834 Valuation map and described in the accompanying First valuation as 28ft x 25ft x 29ft (i.e. 3 storeys); it was then occupied by John Alexander (surgeon) and incorporated a shop. It was the most valuable property in Newry St, with a valuation of £19. The measurements given in the c.1862 Valuation are very similar, indicating no significant structural changes.

The 1776 town plan shows this building with its linear rear return. The 1978 photograph shows the building with its fine decorative peacock tailed fanlight in place over the door. This fanlight has been removed, cleaned and repaired and current owner intends to reinstate it. (Notes from visit in 1999)

The building features in the 'Rathfriland Heritage Map at entry no. 20 with the record confirming:- 'This building, located below Fisher & Fisher was the former Temperance Hotel, where alcohol was not served. In 1886 it was owned by Mrs Dixon passing through the hands of several other owners, until in 1914, it became the Alexandra Hotel, owned by Hagan and Gosling. In 1928 it again became the Temperance Hotel owned by Joseph Carter, before becoming the property of the Davenport family in 1940'.

Primary Sources:
1. Meade Estate: A Map of the Town of Rathfriland (1776) Now in Norfolk and Norwich Record Office.
2. PRONI 1834 Valuation town map (1:1760), VAL 1D/3/3.
3. PRONI 1835 First Valuation book, VAL 1B/ 358A, p.150; /358B, p.76.
4. PRONI 1860 town map (1:500), OS 8/24/1/2.
5. PRONI c.1862 Second Valuation book, VAL 2B/3/60B, p.75.

Secondary Sources:
1. P.J.Rankin “Hilltown and Rathfriland” (Belfast 1978-9).
2. Town Heritage Trail, 2000, reviewed and reprinted in 2023.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Symmetrical three storey, three bay house situated on a terrace on north side of Newry Street, Rathfriland. A building matching the footprint of the present house, including returns, is shown on the 1776 Meade Estate map. Architectural detailing of front and rear is well preserved and largely intact and much of the original character has been retained. The original granite finely dressed doorcase in restrained Neo-Classical style retains the moulded architrave and decorative entablature of fluted frieze and oval rosettes incised in the stonework. The building retains many original features externally. The building is of significant social importance with its former use as a Temperance Hotel; is of local interest and contributes to the architectural quality and character of Rathfriland.