63b & c Hill Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two-storey shop situated on the east side of Hill Street.

Roof material is unknown as a decorative cornice and parapet obscures view.

Walls are smooth rendered and decorated with classical details. At ground floor is a modern ‘heritage style’ shop front set within original render pilasters. Pilasters are set to either side and to centre and rise to eaves level. Shop front has a large modern fascia with timber Triglyphs over. Roller shutters are inset within fascia. Between ground floor and first floor is a rendered cornice, which steps out around the pilasters. First floor has a raised plinth and a continuous cill course, which wraps around the pilasters. Each pilaster has a recessed, moulded panelled plinth below the cill level. Resting on this cill course is a moulded base of each pilaster, which have similar moulded heads. The pilasters support a Greek Doric entablature with stepped fascia, Metope, Triglyph and Guttea detailing to frieze, and deep moulded cornice. Walls between each pilasters contain a Doric Venetian window.

Each window rests on the cill course and consists of a pair of casements with semicircular, fixed fanlight over. To either side of this window is a smaller fixed window. Windows are boarded up to inside for security with mirror glazing. Architraves to the small side windows are made up of pilasters, supporting a decorated cornice, which reaches casement head of central window. Resting on the frieze is the moulded semicircular architrave of the fanlight, which has a raised, fielded keyblock.

Historical information

According to the Ordnance Survey Memoirs was erected as an assembly and public reading room in 1794; it also housed a savings bank. It is described in the 1838 valuation as “Savings bank, assembly rooms, and commissioners of police committee rooms.” Refurbished 1871. What remains of original façade decoration may date from this time. It continues as a Newsroom until about 1916, when converted to shops. An early 20th century photograph shows the façade at that time.

Sources:
1.Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 1B/389, p.45 (1838 Valuation);
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI - VAL 12B/22/17B, p.7 (1917 valuation book);
3. WAG 3128 (W.A. Green photograph)
4. Ordnance Survey Memoirs: Newry Parish
5. Irish Builder, vol.13, p.312 (1 Dec 1871)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Although the site is historically interesting this building has been much altered. Only the Venetian window remains as a special feature. The loss of its pair is detrimental.