Former school

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Former school house of c.1840 with coursed rubble fronted single storey gabled classrooms flanking a two storey master’s residence with an open porch and granite Ionic colonnade. The master’s residence was originally single storey but was raised in height in the 1920s, and the whole building (classrooms and all) was converted to a dwelling in 1982-84. The property is set on the W side of Belfast Road, c.2.5 miles NW of Downpatrick.

The front elevation faces E and is symmetrical. To the centre is a recessed bay (the original residence) which is set behind a colonnade. To the centre of this bay is the main entrance, which consists of a panelled timber double door with narrow granite surround. Above the door is a granite ‘entablature’ pediment set on curved brackets. The tympanum is faced in coursed fieldstone rubble (as is the rest of most of the front elevation). To either side of the entrance is a sash window with Georgian panes (6/6) and granite surround, as door.

The central bay is enclosed to N and S by the projecting gables of the former classrooms. Each of these has a large, centrally located tripartite sash window, with Georgian panes and granite surround. Each of the gables has a granite fringed tympanum and granite in/out quoins. The ‘inner’ sides of each of the projecting sections have a panelled ‘doorway’, both of which led to the classrooms. Both are no longer used and the opening behind each ‘door’ has been blocked up.

Stretching between the gables is a flat roofed open porch with a colonnade. The colonnade consists of four Ionic columns (the shaft of each consisting of a single piece of granite) supporting a plain entablature with cornice.

Above the porch, and set back in line with the central bay, is the first floor of the original ‘house’ section. The front façade of this floor is relatively unobtrusive. It is finished in unpainted rough cast and has three casement windows with Georgian-like panes. The outer windows are broader than that to the centre. The windows have smooth render surrounds.

The S elevation is in two sections, both finished in rough cast. The section to the right is larger and has four tall sash windows with Georgian panes (12/12). (The two centre windows were reduced in size in the 1980s.) To the right is a smaller, lower section whose S façade is now completely covered by a lean-to conservatory. Within the conservatory (i.e. on the original S façade) is a glazed door and a casement window (as first floor front).

The N elevation repeats that to the S in handed fashion, except that the lower section to the left (W) has a blank N façade.

The rear elevation is in three bays, with that to the centre recessed and those to the N and S (the gables of the lower sections referred to on the N and S elevations), projecting. The gable to the left (N) has two small windows with recent looking casement frames. The gable to the right as a much broader single window opening with similar style of frame. Both gables have projecting sections of walling which used to belong to a former toilet block. Behind both lower gabled sections part of the gable of the the larger N and S sections (see above) is exposed. Each of these has a small roundel window close to its apex.

The central recessed portion of the rear elevation has two casement windows. Between these there used to be a doorway, but this has been blocked up. The granite surround of the former doorway is still visible. Directly above the former doorway is a large stairwell window with Georgian panes. To the upper left of this window is a large dormer with large casement window (much as previous windows).

The ‘inner’ faces of the projecting outer bays each have a small window, with frames much as before. The inner face of the S bay has a modern glazed door as well.

The rear elevation is finished in unpainted rough cast. All sections of the roof appear to be covered in natural slate. The roof of the original house section and those to the lower sections to N and S have overhangs with plain barges. There is a Velux window to the rear of the original house section of the roof. This section also has two rendered gable chimney stacks, with simple cornicing. The rw goods appear to be mainly metal.

To the front (E) of the property there is a vehicle entrance with simple wrought iron gate with simple wrought iron railings (now partly obscured by shrub growth). To the rear of the property there is a large flat expanse of ground, covered in tarmac, which must have originally been the school yard.

Historical information

This school was built c.1840, probably by local landowners the Maxwells of Finnebrogue House. It is shown on the OS map of 1860 as ‘Inch School’. Originally the master lived in the central house section, with the classrooms either side for a junior school and an upper class. The master’s house was originally single storey but was raised in height in the 1920s. The school closed in 1982 and the building was purchased by the present owner who converted the entire property to a dwelling.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/30/2 OS map, 1860, Down 30
2 PRONI 2nd valuation (in print), Inch, 1863
3 PRONI OS/6/3/30/3 OS map, 1901, Down 30
4 PRONI OS/6/3/30/4 OS map, 1920, Down 30
5 Plans (c.1940?) of Inch School in possession of current resident

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Former school house of c.1840 with coursed rubble fronted single storey classrooms flanking a two storey master’s residence with a open porch and granite Ionic colonnade. The master’s residence was originally single storey but was raised in height in the 1920s, and the whole building (classrooms and all) was converted to a dwelling in 1982-84.