The Hill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two storey farm house of c.1840, set on a slight rise to the W of the Jericho Road, just over two miles W of Killyleagh.

The front (E) façade is symmetrical and (apart from the openings) completely covered in ivy growth. In the centre of the ground floor is a segmental headed doorway with panelled door, spoked fanlight, and sidelights with margin panes top and bottom. To the left of the doorway is a sash window with Georgian panes (six over six). To the right of the doorway is a similar window, whilst to the first floor there are three more similar windows, only slightly smaller.

The N gable has two windows as before to the ground floor and two more slightly smaller versions to the first floor. The S gable is largely covered in ivy and has a very large modern window to the left on the ground floor, and a similar window to the left on the first floor. The left hand side of this gable merges with the S face of a rear two storey lean to, which has a modern window to the ground and to the first floor.

The exposed portion of the original rear façade (to the left), is blank. To the right is the large two storey lean to which is a modern addition (added c.1979), with mainly large modern windows, a large skylight and an segmental arch headed ‘porch recess’ leading to a glazed rear door.

The N gable and rear façade are both finished in fine pebbledash/rough cast, with quoins to the N gable. The front façade and S gable are undoubtedly also covered in the same finish (they were when an ivy-less house was photographed in January 1995).

The roof is gabled and covered in natural slate (which was partly being renewed when the writers visited the property). Rendered parapets and rendered chimney stacks to each gable. Mixture of cast iron and PVC rw goods.

Outbuildings to W of house, one of which (to the far W) is now converted to a small dwelling. Some wrought iron farm and garden gates around the property.

Of particular interest is a two storey random rubble with brick quoins and natural slate hipped roof stable with hay loft above. Elevation to yard has three timber stable doors with integral three light windows above. First floor has two sheeted doors and is accessed by timber ladder. Side elevation has a single timber window. Rear elevation is blank. Attached to stable block is single storey random rubble outbuilding with a regularly spaced timber Belfast Truss roof covered with corugated iron. Trusses were manufactured by The Rex Roofing Co Connswater Belfast. The elevation to the yard is mainly open but two of the bays have been infiled with masonry and corrugated iron sheeting. Close to the junction of the stables and this building is a cast iron water pump with cow tail handle.

The other outbuildings enclose the yard on the NW side but are more altered.

Historical information

The OS map of 1834 shows a group of buildings on this general site, but there is nothing in the same position as the present dwelling. The house is shown on the revised map of 1859 and the valuation records of 1861 tell us that this property was then in the hands of a Francis Weaver, who rented it from Lord Dufferin. A James Weaver is listed as the resident of the previous house in the valuation records of c.1837. The current resident confirmed that the Weaver family did indeed live in the house, but the last of the family in the area migrated to Australia in the mid 1900s.

The present owner acquired the property in 1970 and added the rear lean to extension in c.1979.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/1/3/24 OS map, 1st ed. 1834, Co. Down 24.
2 PRONI VAL/1B/336 p.33 First valuation, Killyleagh, 1837.
3 PRONI OS/6/3/24/2 OS map, 1st rev., 1859, Co. Down 24.
4 PRONI Second valuation, Killyleagh, 1861. [In print in PRONI search room and Linen Hall Library.]

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Substantial two storey gabled farm house of c.1840, with large modern lean to extension added to the rear in c.1979. House is well proportioned and detailed and sits within an unspoiled rural setting. The outbuildings to the west contribute to its interest - in particular a 2 storey stable block and a Belfast Truss roofed outbuilding, along with a cas iron water pump.