East Lodge to Tamnaharry House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

L-shaped single storey / two bay gate lodge to Tamnaharry House, on W side of Bridge Road.

Pitched natural slate roof (in poor condition) with a chimney to centre of main pitch that is aligned SW-NE. The chimney consists of a pair of square rendered granite stacks set at angles on a common ashlar sandstone plinth. Roof has moulded overhanging eaves and decorative fretted barge boards gables. Each bargeboard has trefoil tailed cusps and a decorative pendant finial to underside of apex. The bargeboard to the SE gable is partially gone. Walls are smooth cement rendered granite rubble with rendered brick trim to openings and chamfered ashlar granite base course to SW and SE elevations.

Principal elevation faces SE to road and is two bays wide. The right bay advances as gable and the left contains the main entrance. This was once contained within an open porch, the lean-to natural slate roof of which is now gone and along with its supporting granite columns. Its decorative bargeboard is lying loose and has details as the main bargeboards. The wall within the porch is painted and lined rendered, and the threshold is paved with granite slabs. Entrance doorway set to left and its door (now off hinges) has narrow six raised and fielded panels (3/3), all with heavy bolection mouldings. To its right is a window opening with granite cill containing a pair of timber framed cast-iron casements, now broken. Each was formerly 2x4 paned with a 2x2 transom over each. The render over is lined to mimic voussoirs. All windows are similar with timber frames and (now broken) cast-iron lights unless otherwise stated.

The right bay advances forward slightly and its exposed left (SW) cheek is blank. The gable has a large central window with cill now gone. Opening formerly contained three vertical lights, each 2x6 paned with a 2x2 paned transoms over each. Over is moulded stucco drip mould.

The left (SW) elevation formerly faced onto the driveway to Tamnaharry House. It has a canted bay window with finely dressed granite mullions with moulded cornice. Shallow lead roof. Windows are formerly 2x6 paned with 2x2 transoms, (a pair to front and one on each cheek).

The rear (NW) elevation has a narrow window opening to left of centre. To its left, at a slightly higher level, is a small later window opening with moulded timber architrave and granite cill.

The right (NE) elevation is blank.

A pair of rendered square granite pillars with concrete caps front left, from which hang modern steel gates. Driveway now abandoned but still tree lined.

Setting: Lodge sits to NE of Tamnaharry House (HB16/10/009). A second much-altered gate lodge (HB16/10/008A) is situated to S of house on Derryleckagh Road.

Historical information

The present Tamnaharry House (HB16/10/009) was constructed c.1840 to designs by Thomas J. Duff of Newry for a Mr Reilly. Duff was also responsible for this lodge and that on Bridge Road (HB16/10/008). It is in a similar idiom to a lodge Duff designed for Narrow Water Castle around the same time (HB16/11/023). It first appears on the 1860 OS 6” map.

The first HMBB survey slide shows this lodge to be relatively intact with its cast iron windows and attractive porch. The accompanying description states “… the porch is supported on stone Doric columns..”. These columns, which are now gone, were also mentioned by Dean: “.. The canopy supported on two and a half granite columns..”.

Primary Sources:
1. PRONI OS maps, 2nd edition (1860), Co Down sheet 51.
2. HMBB first survey slide taken 12/12/1972.
3. HMBB first survey card dated 12/12/1972.

Originally listed as 'North Lodge' now recorded as 'East Lodge' and being delisted because it does not meet the criteria for listing due to alterations.

This wqs originally listed as North Lodge but is now being delisted and called East Lodge.

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 Group Historical Magazine, 1973.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Although this mid 19th C lodge forms part of Thomas J Duff’s architectural legacy and has an attractive setting and some group value, being one of the lodges for Tamnaharry House, it is now derelict.