39 Ringsend Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single-storey two-bay mid-nineteenth century vernacular direct-entry farmhouse, largely modified c.1940. Rectangular linear plan form extended to the south with a one-and-a-half storey unit; further adjoining stable block to the north. Forming part of a small complex of farm buildings arranged around a walled concrete forecourt. Located off Ringsend Road to the north, approximately five miles south west of Dromara.

Pitched corrugated iron roof with corrugated ridging to single-storey bays; cement skews smooth render chimneystack with corbelled cap and single plain clay pot. Pitched natural slate roofing with clay ridge tiles to raised left bay. Painted roughcast rendered walling with smooth projected plinth. 2/2 timber sliding sash windows with vertical glazing bars, horns and replacement concrete cills with smooth raised reveals (unless otherwise stated). Painted timber sheeted front door with plain raised rendered reveals set into windbreaker porch with catslide corrugated-iron roof.

The principal elevation faces east and is symmetrically arranged on a slightly inclining site from right to left. Windbreaker porch central to single-storey portion , flanked by single windows. Timber top-hung casement window to raised bay.

The left gable comprises two attic timber sliding sash windows (behind storm glazing) with plain reveals.

The rear elevation is asymmetrically arranged; small single-pane timber framed window right of centre flanked by single windows at varying cill and head levels; plain reveals. Two blocked up windows to the raised portion.

Blank right gable with apex chimney. Abutted by single-storey stable block; pitched corrugated-iron roof; concrete-block walling; steel-framed windows where existing; timber sheeted doors addressing the forecourt.

Setting

Rural
setting not visible from the main road. Parallel single-storey outbuilding opposite the principal elevation; pitched corrugated iron roofing with cement skews and cement rendered walling with timber sheeted doors with strap hinges. Internal exposed rough-hewn timber collar-beam truss and purlin roof structure, some replacement sawn timbers with a variety of timber peg and metal bolt fixings. Larger outbuilding with rear lean-to abutment built c.1940; corrugated asbestos roofing, cement rendered walling and steel framed windows. Twentieth century entrance gates set back from main road; dry-dash squared piers with smooth banding, moulded cornicing terminated with smooth rendered square cap with adjoining dry-dash sweeping walls with weather cement coping and mild-steel gates decorated with castings, ball-terminus and scrolls. Long lane bypassing modern dwellings leading to farmhouse; site bounded by twentieth century wall enclosing concrete forecourt; field gates carried by angular cement rendered piers. Concrete drinking trough fixed to south perimeter wall.

Roofing: Corrugated iron
Walling: Cement rendered
Windows:Timber sliding sash
RWG: Metal

Historical information

The buildings on the site are first shown on the second edition OS map of 1860 as two rectangular structures corresponding to the present day dwelling house and outbuilding opposite. Both buildings appear to have been extended in length by the time of the 3rd edition OS map in 1901-2.

Griffith’s Valuation notes the tenant as John Burns who leases the farm of 14 acres and buildings valued at £1.5s from Viscount Dungannon, later Lord A E Hill Trevor. The farm remains in the Burns family throughout the period covered by valuation records and no significant changes in valuation take place. At the time of the 1901 census the tenant was Hugh Burns who lived with his wife, sister and five young children in the three-room house which was designated second class. The roofing material was corrugated iron and/or slate by this time.

By the time of the First General Revaluation in the early 1930s the house was vacant and had been redesignated as agricultural outbuildings. However, in 1944 it was renovated and once more came into use as a dwelling. The accommodation comprised a kitchen and three rooms. The building currently lies vacant.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/35/1 First Edition OS Map 1833-4
2. PRONI OS/6/3/35/2 Second Edition OS map 1860
3. PRONI OS/6/3/35/3 Third Edition OS Map 1901-2
4. PRONI OS/6/3/35/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1902-20
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/51A Griffith’s Valuation (1863)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/20A-E Annual Revisions (1864-1930)
7. PRONI VAL/3/C/4/3 First General Revaluation (1933-57)
8. PRONI VAL/3/D/4/3/Q/3 First General Revaluation (1933-57)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A single-storey two-bay mid nineteenth century vernacular direct-entry farmhouse, largely modified c.1940. Much historic fabric and detailing survives, although the twentieth century modifications have affected its vernacular character and appearance. The house is a good representation of how buildings of this type evolved with changing needs of the occupier. The plan form and detailing also reflect this: the direct-entry layout has been altered with the introduction of solid partition walls. The outbuildings are of some note and the original setting of an enclosed farmyard survives to a great extent. This is a good example of a type that is becoming rare.