Gates at West Lodge to Tamnaharry House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

To left of lodge is a large gate screen containing a pair of vehicular gates and a pedestrian gate.

The vehicle gates are to the centre, the pedestrian gate to their right, to its right is a single bay screen and to left of the vehicle gates is a double bay screen. Whole screen is six bays wide.

All parts are executed in very ornate wrought-iron work with Arts and Crafts detailing including tendril curved finials, cast flowers, stiff leaves and crested panels. The gates are taller with decorative crestings, while the screen is plainer in detailing. To either end the screen is supported on granite piers. Each pier has a high two-stage chamfered base course and a Gothic panel to front and inner cheeks of main shaft. Shallow bell-cast coping.

Historical information

These gates were erected by a Dr Bradley, occupant of the house from 1896 to 1906, to replace the original timber ones. The first HMBB survey slide shows that they formerly abutted the left corner of the front elevation of the lodge. They have since been relocated to enable the lodge to become a separate property from the main house.

The present Tamnaharry House (HB16/10/009) was constructed in the 1840s to designs by Thomas J. Duff of Newry for a Mr Reilly, on his marriage of heiress Harriet Hamilton (whose family had occupied an earlier house on the site). Reilly also had the grounds landscaped and employed Duff to design this lodge and the E lodge on Bridge Road (HB16/10/010).

Primary Sources:
1) HMBB first survey slide taken 12/12/1972.
2) HMBB first survey card dated 12/12/1972.

Secondary Sources:
1. J.A.K. Dean, ‘The Gate Lodges of Ulster- A Gazetteer’ (Belfast 1994), p.97.
2. Rev. B. Treanor, ‘Tamnaharry House, an article in the Irish News, March 1960.
3. ‘The Story of a Mansion House’, Warrenpoint Historical Group Magazine 1973.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

These attractive late 19thC wrought iron gates provide a fitting entrance to Tamnaharry House (HB16/10/009). Although they have been moved slightly from their original alignment, they are still of architectural and group importance. Other features in this demesne include the W lodge (HB16/10/008A), E lodge (HB16/10/010), and a farmyard and walled garden, all of which form an interesting group.