Rath House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey-over-basement three bay terraced house and adjoining single-storey-over-basement three-bay house; built c.1830 and located to the south side of Princes’ Street in Dromore. Rectangular on plan, basements exposed to rear due to typography of site.

Number 40 has pitched natural slate roof with blue/black angled ridge tiles and rendered chimneystacks to gables having tall terracotta pots. Cast-iron half-round rainwater goods with cast-iron hopper and downpipes. Walling is ruled-and-lined render with raised quoins and a smooth rendered plinth. Windows are timber-framed sliding sash 3/6 to first floor and 6/6 to ground floor with no horns and projecting painted sills.

The principal elevation faces northwest and is symmetrically arranged with three openings to each floor. To centre at ground floor is a bolection-moulded four-panelled timber door with sidelights, timber aprons on stone plinths and segmental-headed transom light.

The northeast gable is abutted by the single-storey dwelling.

The southeast elevation has irregularly arranged fenestration. Exposed basement lit to half-landing level has original fenestration.

The southwest gable is blank.

Number 42 has pitched natural slate roof with blue/black angled ridge tiles and rendered chimneystack having terracotta pots. Cast-iron half-round rainwater goods on projecting eaves. Walling is rough-cast render with raised quoins to north corner and a smooth rendered plinth. Windows are 6/6 timber-framed sliding sash with projecting sills.
The principal elevation faces northwest and is symmetrically arranged with two 6/6 window flanking a timber-sheeted entrance door in smooth rendered surround.

The northeast elevation is abutted by the adjoining former stable block (now shop).

The southeast elevation has three windows to ground floor; to basement is a timber-sheeted door at left and a set of segmental-headed timber coach doors to right.

Setting

Street-fronted with yard to rear, lower than street level. Rear yard is accessed at Mossvale Road to east via a set of painted roughcast rendered gate piers with pointed caps supporting timber gates. Bounded to road by painted rubble stone wall with random stone coping.

Roof: natural slate
Walling: render and roughcast
Windows: Timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

Nos 40-42 Princes Street, also known as Rath House, a two-storey Georgian dwelling possessing a basement and a single-storey extension (No. 42), was constructed prior to 1833, first appearing on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey map in that year. The map depicted the building as an oblong building, and the contemporary Townland Valuations noted that the house was valued at £6 and occupied by a Mr. Adam Agnew, however shortly after the valuation Agnew was replaced as occupant by a Mr. Stewart. The Townland Valuations also noted that the building possessed a stable and a store amongst its out offices; although it is not known whether the adjoining single-storey No. 42 Princes Street had been added at that time.

Although named Rath House, the Ordnance Survey maps show that the dwelling was not erected on the site of an ancient Rath fort; although it could possibly have been named in reference to its proximity to two of Dromore’s largest ancient monuments. The house is situated almost exactly between the Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, located 300 meters to the south-east of Princes Street, and an ancient Irish Rath fort (formerly used by the Roman Catholics of the Parish as a mass station during the Penal period) 300 meters to the north-west of Rath House.

By the second edition of the Ordnance Survey map (1859) there had been little alteration to the site. Griffith’s Valuation (1861) noted that a Mr. Hugh Stewart leased the property, which had increased in value to £15, from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; it is not known why the value of Rath House increased between the 1830s and 1861 although it is possible that the single-storey No. 42 Princes Street could have been constructed in the intervening period (the adjoining dwelling is clearly depicted on the 1859 map). Hugh Stewart’s will records that he was employed as a Stamp Distributor and upon his death in 1869 possession of the house passed to his widow Ellen Stewart.

Ellen Stewart continued to reside at Rath House until 1879 when Dr. Samuel Hawthorn, a local surgeon, occupied the site. From 1879 Rath House was utilised as the residence for a number of local surgeons and doctors in Dromore; by 1892 the house changed hands once more when a Dr. Francis McKee took possession. The 1901 Census notes that McKee (34, Presbyterian) resided at Rath House alone with the help of two domestic servants; the census building return described the site as a 1st class dwelling that consisted of 12 rooms and possessed a number of out offices which included two stables, a cow house, piggery, fowl house, a turf house and a store which were located in the rear courtyard. An Annual Revisions town plan (dated 1906-c. 1935) notes that Rath House possessed a number of small outbuildings to the rear of the site (all of which have now been taken down).

Francis McKee married his wife Thomasina in c. 1902 and likely constructed the adjoining stable block by 1909 when the value of Rath House was increased to £22 10s. McKee continued to reside at Rath House until his death c. 1919 when his widow took possession of the site. Mrs. McKee vacated the house in 1922 when John Wilson, who was also employed as a surgeon, took possession, residing at Rath House until the end of the Annual Revisions in 1930.

In 1969 Brett described Rath House as a ‘nice two-storey stucco house with quoins and glazing bars;’ at that time the house was occupied by a Mr. W. Cleighton. Rath House was listed in 1977 and its layout has not been altered since the 1973 edition of the Ordnance Survey map. The house continues to be occupied as a private dwelling and is also currently used as an antiques showroom.

References

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/21/1 – First Edition Ordnance Survey map 1833
2. PRONI OS/6/3/21/2 – Second Edition Ordnance Survey map 1859
3. PRONI OS/6/3/21/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey map 1903
4. PRONI OS/6/3/21/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey map 1919-20
5. PRONI VAL/1/D/3/13 – Townland Valuation map c. 1834
6. PRONI VAL/1/B/342 – Townland Valuations c. 1830
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/38A – Griffith’s Valuation 1861
8. PRONI VAL/12/E/122/3/4 – Annual Revisions Town Plan 1906– c. 1935
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/10A – Annual Revisions 1864-1878
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/10B – Annual Revisions 1879-1891
11. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/10C – Annual Revisions 1892-1898
12. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/11A – Annual Revisions 1899-1910
13. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/11B – Annual Revisions 1911-1919
14. PRONI VAL/12/B/16/11C – Annual Revisions 1920-1930
15. PRONI Wills (9 Feb 1869)
16. Census of Ireland (1901 / 1911)
17. First Survey Record – HB17/15/002 (1969)
18. Ordnance Survey map – 202-4 (1973)

Secondary Sources

1. Brett, C. E. B., ‘Historic buildings, groups of buildings, areas of architectural importance in the towns and villages of Mid Down: Hillsborough, Dromore, Dromara, Ballynahinch, the Spa, Drumaness and Saintfield’ Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1974.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Rath House is a two-storey-over-basement three bay terraced house with adjoining single-storey-over-basement three-bay house; built c.1830. Restored in recent years, architectural detailing to both number 40 and 42 is largely intact and the original proportions have survived. Number 40 and 42, the adjoining former stable block, boundary wall and gate piers to south form an interesting group. Rath House is a good example of a Georgian dwelling, situated in an urban context with much character and fabric surviving.

General comments

New listing criteria R & S to be added when available.