34 Derryboy Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Somewhat altered, gabled, thatched, single storey, vernacular cottage of probable re 1834 origin, set well back on the S side of the Derryboy Road, 3½ miles N of Killyleagh. The property is picturesquely set in surroundings which appear to be little altered since the cottage was built.

The building comprises of three main sections. That to the W was an original barn and has now been converted to a dining room / living room. The centre section was the original two room, vernacular and thatched cottage. This is substantially intact, has its original roof timbers and is still thatched. The E section was originally a byre and has now been converted for use as a bedroom.

The main entrance is to the (S) centre of the central section. It sports a small ‘bolt on’ porch which is supported on timber brackets. The stable door arrangement has a half door outer and a full height door inner with a small glazed window with a decorative glazed glass pane inscribed ‘Sutton Cottage’. Both door leafs are sheeted, framed and braced. To either side of the door is a small window opening with sash window frames each with horizontal astragals. The main roof has a thatched roof and parapets to each gable. A squat chimney stack sits at the peak of each gable

To the E of the S façade is a short section (former byre) with a single window, as before. The ridge of this section abuts the main gable but is slightly lower. The roof covering to this portion is corrugated iron. To the E gable is a small store with an almost flat corrugated Perspex roof.

To the W side of the centre is a short section (former barn) with modern glazed door and window. To the S side of this is a small lean to green house. The barn section may have been raised in height. The owner stated that he observed evidence on the W gable but the writer was unable to verify this.

To the W gable is a relatively large PVC chamfered conservatory which obscures a modern door and window. High on the gable and above the conservatory, is a small square window.

To the centre of the N facade is a long, modern, flat roofed extension. To the N of the extension are four modern windows. To the W is a modern window and door. The E face of the extension is blank. The N face of the ‘byre section’ has one sash window as before.

To the S are some small out buildings with cobbled floors. To the N is a substantially intact and partly enclosed well. Directly behind the ‘barn’ is the remains of a horse walk.

Historical information

A building is shown on both the 1834 and the 1859 OS maps, which, with the exception of the flat roofed extension and the conservatory, matches the foot print of the house we see today. Thus it seems likely that the present house dates from the earlier 19th century at least.

The second valuation of 1861 records that the ‘buildings land and offices’ were valued at £5.10.00, £18.10.00 and £1.10.00 respectively, with tenant Ellen Lowther renting 31 acres from Lord Clandeboy. The present owner states that he has seen has an indenture dating form around the same time which stipulates that the tenant had to maintain walls, hedges and a ½ acre of orchard. The present owner purchased the property in c. 1986. The owner immediately prior to this was a Mr Michael Brachi.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.1071 Dufferin Papers
1 PRONI OS/1/3/24 OS map, 1st ed. 1834, Co. Down 24.
2 PRONI OS/6/3/24/2 OS map, 1st rev., 1859, Co. Down 24.
3 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
F. Structural System
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Single storey, vernacular cottage of probable pre 1834 origin, still mainly thatched retaining original roof structure below the thatch to the central section. Now extended linearly, the attached former outbuildings have been converted to living accommodation and to the rear there is a large modern flat roofed extension. Beautifully situated with gable on approach in a wooded rural setting. This is a rare survival of a once commonplace building type.