8 Abbey Yard

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Centre one of terrace of three three-storey (+basement and attic) classical Georgian houses situated on the north side of Abbey Yard.

Roof is mansard and natural slated with lead trimmings. Cement render chimney to left gable is shared with no.9 and another to right shared with no.7. There are two metal skylights to front pitch and two modern skylights to rear pitch. Parapet gutter to facade with downpipes (shared with no.7 and no.9) to left and right of front elevation.

Walls are painted, lined cement render with granite parapet to wall head. There is an unpainted, chamfered granite stringcourse between basement and ground floor. Main entrance is situated at ground floor right, and is accessed by four granite steps and 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 fluted, tapering granite, demi-columns, which support a moulded granite entablature. Over the entablature is a segmental reproduction peacocks-tail fanlight. All are set within a granite pole-mould chamfered segmental headed opening. On wall to left of fanlight is a modern coach lamp, below is a modern plaque, and over door is a modern security alarm box.

To left 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 window (in line with openings above). Door is modern six panelled 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 two equally spaced windows to each upper floor, diminished in height to second floor. All are aligned to the left of ground floor openings. Each first floor window has a decorative cast iron balconette, different to those on no.9 but similar to those on no.7.

Basement passage is shared with nos. 7 and 9 and is enclosed by plain spiked railings with urn topped posts on a chamfered granite base wall. Left and right gables form party walls with adjacent properties.

Rear elevation. Walls are painted lined cement render. There are two openings to each floor on the remaining section. To left of basement is a modern six panelled timber door. To right is a 6/3 sliding sash (as those in facade) with metal security grill. At ground floor left is a 6/6 sliding sash window, to right is a tripartite window consisting of a 6/6 sliding sashes flanked by a 2/2 sliding sashes. Both have granite cills. Windows to upper floors are as ground floor, but those to second floor are diminished in height.

Modern railings and planters enclose rear basement passage, with modern steps from rear 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.

The door facing onto Castle St was salvaged during the demolition of 50 Queen (Dominic) Street Newry, which was at one time home of Lord Russell of Killowen.

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

Centre one of a terrace of three, three storey (+basement and attic) houses to the north of Abbey Yard. This is an elegant early 19th century house, part of an important group. The building underwent a substantial restoration and, although the exterior is largely intact, few original internal features remain.