61 Dominic Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A three-storey/ three-bay late Georgian dwelling on west side of Dominic Street distinguished by slate-hung gable and fanlit door.

Pitched natural slate roof with smooth rendered chimney at end of each gable; half-round metal rainwater goods. With exception of slate-hung south gable (first floor and above), all walls are cement-dashed with smooth-rendered base course.

The main façade faces E. Four granite steps with modern metal handrail rise from street to central door with boarded up sidelights (with granite cills), flanked by heavy timber pilasters and with semi-elliptical fanlight set within ashlar granite arch. Front door comprises four broad boards with metal nail head studs. Electrical cable in metal housing rises up façade to left of doorway. A wall plaque states that Lord Russell of Killowen (1832-1900), Lord Chief Justice, was born nearby (in block containing nos 50-54, HB16/29/005A-C). All façade windows are painted timber sliding sash, without horns. Ground floor window to left of door is 6/1; to right is 6/6, and both with extractor fans in central pane of top sash. Three first floor windows, all 6/6, in line with openings below. Three smaller 6/3 windows, also in line, on second floor. All windows are now protected by security grilles.

Both gables are abutted by adjoining buildings.

The rear façade has 13 window openings, many of them recent inserts and only three retain their Georgian paned sliding sashes. Also at rear is a modern metal escape stair with access doors at first floor and half-landing up to second floor.

Historical information

A building is shown at this location on the 1830s Valuation map. It is described in the c.1840 Valuation Book at 41’ x 33’ x 31’ high. The Second Valuation (1863) describes the building as 41’3” x 33’9” x 3 storeys. This is undoubtedly the same building and matches the existing one (the façade of which measures 42ft). The First Valuation notes the house as not finished, indicating an early 19th century construction date. However, even by 1863, it was still partly unfinished, so it may have also incorporated mid 19th century features before its 20th century internal refurbishment.

Primary Sources:

1. Valuation revision book PRONI VAL 1B/ 246A, p.45 (1839)
2. Valuation revision book PRONI VAL 1B/246B, p.29 (c.1840)
3. Valuation revision book PRONI VAL 2B/2/39C, p.134 (1863 valuation)
4. Valuation map VAL 1D/3/8G

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A three-storey/ three-bay late Georgian dwelling distinguished by slate-hung gable and fanlit door. This building has been substantially altered, with only its external character still making a contribution to the streetscape. There are extensive internal alterations, as a result of which much fabric and character have been lost.