27-31 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A block of two two-storey dwellings with garage on right gable, all sloping to S down hill on the W side of Main Street.

Pitched artificial slate roof with two red brick chimney stacks – one to left gable and one between each bay of right dwelling. The right-end of ridge has a small terracotta finial. Half-round cast-iron metal rainwater goods.

Walls are pebble dashed with coloured pebbles (red, blue and green); smooth rendered and painted basecourse and cement rendered stepped quoins to each end and between each bay of right dwelling. Cement rendered eaves course and cill course.

Left building contains a modern glazed shopfront to ground floor with central recessed door; large windows to either side and plastic fascia board above. First floor has two equally spaced, 2/2 sliding sash windows (with horns) and concrete cills and smooth cement rendered architraves (all windows are detailed as this unless otherwise stated).

Right building is wider and the right bay steps back slightly from the main block. Left bay has, to left, a timber 3/3 panelled door with narrow transom over; to its right are two windows – that to right-end is smaller. Aligned above to first floor are three windows. To left of door is a decorative cast-iron bootscraper incorporating two fishes with central shell.

Right gable is almost completely abutted by garage; the exposed section is smooth line-rendered. Garage roof is monopitched corrugated metal and concealed behind parapet. Walls are as house with smooth cement rendered pillars (with swept copings) and decorative central panel; pebble-dashed as walls. Pillars support a pair of t+g sheeted doors. To right is cement rendered recess with petrol pump.

Rear elevation of left dwelling is abutted by a rear return with similarly detailed roof (with skylight). Cement rendered rubble stone walls. Right cheek has a window to ground floor right and one to first floor left; both are 2/2 sliding sashes with external grilles. First floor window has granite cill. End gable of return is blank. Left cheek not inspected. Rear elevation of right dwelling was not inspected.

Left gable is lined cement-render with top-hung uPVC window with concrete cill, set left of centre of first floor.

Historical information

A building is shown at this location on the 1835 OS map. However, the site’s evolutionary development could not be determined from the Valuation Books as the plot number on the Valuation maps is unspecific.

Primary sources:
1. OS 6” map, 1st edition, Co Armagh sheet 31 (PRONI OS 6/2/31/1).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A pair of two-storey dwellings with garage, sloping down hill; all of little architectural or historic interest.