Catholic Working Mens Club

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three storey (+ basement and attic) two-bay classical Georgian house fronting west side of Hill St. Walls are of finely dressed granite ashlar. This is the right hand one of a terrace of three similarly proportioned houses.

Pitched natural slate roof, without chimneys. Three modern skylights have been inserted on the back pitch. Half round metal rainwater goods with down pipes at left and right. Four granite steps lead up to front entrance at left. This comprises a modern six-panel painted door flanked by two ashlar granite Ionic columns supporting an entablature, above which is a semicircular radial fanlight of cast-iron. Brass name affixed to wall at right of right jamb. To right of door are two 6/6 sliding sash windows (no horns). All façade windows are detailed as this. A passage runs around the outside of the basement, which was formerly lit by two windows in line with those at ground floor. The left window is now infilled, and the right has been enlarged to take a modern t+g door. At first and second floors are three windows, all in line with ground floor openings. Those on second floor are diminished in height and all windows have granite cills.

Basement passage enclosed at street level by wrought-iron railings (with urn-topped posts) set on a finely dressed and chamfered plinth. These railings return on both sides of the steps up to entrance.

Left and right gables abutted by adjoining buildings.

The rear wall is of rubble granite brought to courses, with stepped brick trimming around the window openings. Its ground floor is entirely abutted by a flat roofed extension, which rises to first floor level at right. Above the latter is a tall 6/6 sliding sash (with spoked head) at half landing between first and second floor. At first floor centre is a 6/6 sash window, and a pair of timber casement windows above at second floor. To the left of the latter (which is diminished in height) is a modern sheeted fire escape door out to metal balcony, from which steps lead down to first floor of adjoining premises, across the back which runs a metal balcony. All these windows have granite cills.

Historical information

Hill Street was laid out by the Downshire Estate in the mid 18thC as a formal extension to the town. This building is shown on the 1835 OS map valued at £42 in 1838 valuation. Described in 1863 valuation as three and one-third storeys high plus basement. Used as a priest’s residence in mid 19th century before move to no 40 Hill Street (HB 16/28/034B). Became Catholic working Men’s club about 1926. The photograph in the Historic Monuments Record (post WW2) shows the façade as it is today.

Primary sources:
1. OS map 1835 edition, PRONI –OS 9/15/1/1
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL1B/389, p.44 (1838 valuation).
3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 2B/3/69G, p.26 (1863 Valuation).

Secondary Sources:

1. Archaeological Survey Co. Down, p.428 (entry 417.29).
2. Photograph in the Historic Monuments Record (post WW2)

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

Three storey (+basement + attic) two bay classical Georgian house. A well proportioned classical Georgian house forming the end unit of a three house terrace of classic proportions and style. Although few original features survive internally, the elegant staircase is of note.