15 St. Colman’s Park

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

One of seven buildings in a terrace which slopes down St. Colman’s Park, this building being the third up from the bottom. All these houses are of identical construction, with pitched natural slate roofs and squared rubble granite walls brought to courses. This building is three storeys high (formerly also with basement) and two bays wide. It is at the same height as no.13, and slightly raised above no.17.

It has a rendered chimney on its left party wall, and half-round metal gutter with down pipe at left.

At ground floor right is a reproduction four-panel painted timber door, with small rectangular transom light over. Its head and jambs were originally cement rendered, but this was removed at the time of survey to reveal the brickwork underneath. Over the door opening is a projecting entablature supported on scrolled consoles at the top of the jambs; both these elements are modern reproductions in cast cement. Boot scraper to right of door.

To left of door is an 8/8 sliding sash window. Below, the brick head of a window to the basement, now infilled, is visible. At first floor are two 6/6 sliding sash windows in line with ground floor openings. At second floor are three smaller 3/3 sash windows. All the windows are modern reproductions and have granite cills, and cement-rendered heads and stepped jambs (over brick). There are three-piece keystoned lintels above the ground and first floor window heads.

The wrought iron railings which formerly ran along the front of the house, over a passage along the basement, have been removed from their chamfered granite plinth.

Both gables are abutted by similar buildings. The exposed section of gable at left is cement rendered.

At rear, the walls are unrendered and have half-round metal rainwater goods. There is no trace of any external passage across the former basement. A modern one-storey extension abuts at left. All the windows on this elevation were undergoing replacement with replicas at the time of survey. At right is a 6/6 sliding sash window at ground floor and at first floor; the second floor window has been removed. At left, windows to both half landings were being replaced at time of survey. All the window openings have brick heads and stepped jambs; some have three-piece keystoned lintels above their heads.

The extension as a monopitched roof in corrugated asbestos, cement rendered walls, metal-framed window to back wall, and modern door on right cheek.

Outbuilding

Along the back of the yard, a two-storey outhouse forms part of a continuous block running the length of the terrace. This building has a natural slate pitched gable roof and random rubble granite walls. The rainwater goods are missing on both slopes. At left on the elevation facing out (ie to north), is a segmental-headed brick trimmed coach arch with a pair of t+g sheeted doors. Above this arch is a smaller t+g sheeted loading door. At right on each floor is an infilled ventilation slit.

Both gables are abutted by similar buildings.

The yard elevation has, at ground floor, a door at right and window at left. Directly above the latter, at first floor, is an identical opening. Both window openings have no frames.

Historical information

Shown on 1835 OS map as McAllister’s Terrace; this also included nos 1, 3 and 5 (above no.7), all now demolished. Noted in 1835 valuation as belonging to James McAllister (who also owned HB 16/30/005A&B), but unfinished. This implies still in course of construction, but probably completed shortly thereafter.

Primary Sources:

1. OS 6" map, 3rd edition PRONI OS 9/15/1/3.
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 1B.389, pp 40-1.
3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 2B/3/69H, p.131.

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)/two bay granite house in a terrace on St Colman’s Park. The street façade is of considerable architectural merit, being set within a cohesive terrace which forms one side of the square. The building is also of some historical interest as an example of mid-19th century town planning initiated by James McAllister. He also erected the block at the corner with John Mitchel Place (HB16/30/005A&B).