Manse

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey/ three bay mid 19thC Presbyterian Manse on W side of the Manse Hill Road.

Hipped natural slate roof is ‘U’ planned and S facing. Overhanging eaves supporting half-round metal rainwater goods. Walls are cement dashed.

Front elevation faces S. Three dressed granite steps rise to a painted and rendered segmental headed recess which contains a four-panelled door, which is bolection moulded, and has a beaded muntin. Segmental headed fanlight. Each remaining bay on façade has a single 2/2 (horizontally divided) sliding sash window with painted stone cills. Those to first floor are diminished in height.

The right (E) elevation is two bays wide with a window to each bay of each floor.

The rear (N) elevation has a wall-head chimney at right and is abutted by a two-storey return at left. The return has a hipped natural slate roof (its ridge meets the eaves of the main house). It has a modern window on its rear (N) wall at ground floor and a modern door on its right (W) cheek. Its left (E) cheek is blank. The remainder of the rear elevation of the main house is as follows: there is a modern window opening to ground floor centre, above it, between ground and first floor is a large multi-glazed sliding sash window with spoke-head. On right bay, to left of centre, each floor has a small modern casement window.

The left (W) elevation has a canted bay window at ground floor right. It has a shallow natural slate roof and a large window on each cheek. The remaining bays on this elevation each have a window (as the others).

Setting

Front driveway has a gate screen to road. Pair of iron gates with cast iron spearheads and matching screen. Driveway runs down right side of house to a small domestic yard at rear. Mature garden to front and left of house. Yard is enclosed to N by a two -storey outbuilding.

Historical information

This house is not shown on the 1859 OS map, or cited in the 1862 Valuation book. It is, however, noted in the 1866 Valuation revision book, indicating an erection date in the early 1860s. It is described at that time as belonging to the Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation of Donaghmore and is associated with Donaghmore Presbyterian Church (HB16/14/007). It was occupied by their ministers until 1971.

Primary sources:
1. OS 6" map, 1859, Co Down sheet 41 (PRONI OS 6/3/41/2).
2. Second valuation book, 1862 (PRONI VAL 2B/3/41B).
3. Valuation revision book, 1866 (PRONI VAL 12B/22/19A, p.15).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This mid 19thC manse remains substantially unaltered and retains its mature garden and rear outbuilding. It was built by, and served, Donaghmore Presbyterian Church (HB16/14/007) until 1971.