7 Abbey Yard

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Right one of terrace of three, three storey (+basement and attic) houses to the north of Abbey Yard. Although the main elevation of the other properties face west, the façade of this property fronts the north side of Abbey Yard.

Roof is mansard (hipped to south) and is natural slated with lead trimmings. Cement render chimney on party wall with no.8. There is a metal skylight to east pitch and a modern skylight to west pitch. Parapet gutter to south and east elevations with metal down pipe to right of east elevation.

Walls to south and east elevations are painted, lined cement render with granite coping to parapet wall head. There is an unpainted, chamfered granite stringcourse between basement and ground floor. The south elevation has stepped, vee-jointed quoins to either side, with similar to right side of east facade.

South elevation.

Main entrance is situated at ground floor centre, and is accessed by five granite steps to a granite paved bridge over the basement passage. Door is reproduction six panel (raised and fielded) painted timber with beaded muntin and modern furniture. It is set within two granite, demi-columns which support a moulded granite entablature. Over the entablature is a segmental reproduction peacock tail fanlight. All are set within a pole-mould chamfered segmental headed opening. Modern coach lamp on wall to right of fanlight. HMBB records note this façade being slate hung prior to restoration.

To either side of door at ground floor is a single 6/6 sliding sash window with horns and granite cill. All windows are as this unless otherwise stated. Below at basement level is a door and a window to right (in line with openings below). Door has a segmental head and is modern (twelve glazed panes with fixed glazed side lights) and situated under the steps to front door. Window is 6/3 sliding sash set within a three-piece (with keyblock) granite lintel and jamb opening; with granite cills and security bars over. There are three equally spaced windows to each upper floor, diminished in height to second floor. All are in line with ground floor openings. First floor windows have decorative cast iron balconettes.

Basement passage is accessed by steps from ground floor right. It is enclosed by plain spiked railings with urn topped posts on a chamfered granite base wall. In basement retaining wall, below steps to front door is a modern polished granite commemorative plaque.

West elevation has a single window to each floor, all are as those on south elevation. North gable forms the party wall with no.8.

East elevation.

Walls are painted lined cement render. This elevation is abutted to ground floor left by a single storey out house (HB 16/28/55F). To right of abutment at ground floor is a 6/6 sliding sash window with granite cill. Below at basement level are two 4/4 sliding sash windows with security bars over. There are single 6/6 sliding sash windows to first and second floor (upper floor window diminished in height). Rear basement passage is enclosed by modern railings and planters, with modern concrete steps from courtyard.

Historical information

This area of ground was owned by the Corry family since the mid 18th century. This particular house was probably erected by Isaac Corry (MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Irish parliament) sometime after 1760; no buildings are shown on this site (then at the bottom end of Boat St) on John Rocque’s map of this date. It is probably of late 18th or early 19th century date and is shown on the 1834 O.S. map.

From the early 1900s until 1972, it formed part of the Christian Brothers School. When the school relocated, the premises fell into dereliction until restoration by Clanrye Community Workshop 1986-91.

Primary sources:
1. J. Rocque (1760), ‘Plan of the town of Newry’.
2. 1. OS 6" map, 1st edition (1834) Co Down sheet 46 (PRONI OS 6/3/46/1)

Secondary sources:
1. T. Canavan (1989), ‘Frontier town: an illustrated history of Newry’, p.90 (Belfast: Blackstaff Press).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

Right of a terrace of three, three storey (+basement and attic) houses. This is an elegant early nineteenth century house and part of an important group in a prominent position in the town. The building underwent a substantial restoration and, although the exterior is largely intact, few original internal features remain.