Cluntagh Cottage

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single storey hipped roof house of possible mid 19th century construction, with large two storey which assumed its present form in 1927, but may have been built around an original, pre 1834 single storey dwelling. The property is set to the S of Killyleagh Road c.1.5 miles E of Crossgar.

The front façade faces E and is symmetrical. To the centre is a panelled door with three pane sidelights and elliptical arched fanlight with ‘radial’ / ‘spider web’ tracery. The doorway has a moulded surround with keystone and similar side blocks. To the left and to the right of the doorway are two sash windows (i.e. four in all), with Georgian panes (6/6), and surrounds as the doorway. The front façade is finished in lined render with a bevelled base.

The S elevation is made up of the single storey S façade of the front section (to the right) and the S façade of the large two storey return. The single storey section has a large picture window. To the ground floor of the return there are two similar windows with a partly glazed door between. To the first floor there five unevenly spaced sash windows.

The N elevation has a more complex appearance. The N façade of the front section (to left) is blank. To the right of this, and set back, is the long N façade of the return. This façade is in two main sections. The left half of the façade projects and has a large picture window to the ground floor. To the very left side of this half is a small full height gabled projection with window to the first floor with c.1920s-30s three pane frame. The right half of the façade has a large picture window to the ground floor with two narrow sash windows to the first floor. The small portion of W facing façade (‘between’ the two halves of the façade as it were) has a partly glazed door to the ground floor and a sash window, with margin panes and coloured glass, to the first floor. The left half of the façade has a curious raised outline of a gable on it- does this mark the line of the height (and extent) of an original return shown on the 1834 OS map.

The (unevenly pitched) gable of the return is blank.

The return and N, S and W facades of the original section are finished in lined render with some sections in rough cast. The whole façade is painted. The entire roof is covered in natural slate. The front section has two central rendered chimney stacks with octagonal pots. The return has three rendered stacks, without pots. Cast iron rw goods.

To the immediate S side of the return there is a small garden enclosed with a low rendered wall. To the S and W of the house there is an extensive collection of two and single storey outbuildings all finished in rough cast and with openings of various sizes. These outbuildings were extensively renovated in the 1930s.

To the E of the house there is a relatively narrow drive bordered by low rendered walls. To the E end of the drive is a set of wrought iron gates, undoubtedly the work of a local blacksmith.

Historical information

This property appears to have had a slightly complex evolution. On the OS map of 1834 a T shaped dwelling is shown, with what appears to have been the front section on the site of the present return and a long return to the rear (north). The valuation returns tell us that this building (which was then in the hands of a Robert McDowell), was single storey. The 1859-60 map shows a building similar to that of 1834, but with what appears to be the present front section added to it, thus making the original front portion of the house into a return. This property is marked as ‘Cluntagh Cottage’ on this map.

The house retained this shape until 1927 when the return (i.e. the original front portion) was raised in height. At the same time the original 1834 return to the north was demolished. The gabled outline of this section can still be seen on the north side of the present return.

The McDowell family remained in possession of Cluntagh Cottage until at least 1886. In c.1915 it was acquired by the uncle of the present owner.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/23/1 OS map, 1834, Down 23
2 PRONI VAL/1A/3/23 1st valuation map, c.1835, Down 23
3 PRONI VAL/1B/336 1st valuation, Killyleagh, c.1835-38
4 ‘Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory’ Vols.1-21, 1852-1900, (Belfast, Henderson [1852-65], Belfast News-Letter [1865- ])
5 PRONI OS/6/3/23/2 OS map, 1859-60, Down 23
6 PRONI 2nd valuation (in print), Kilmore, 1863
7 George Henry Bassett ‘County Down Guide and Directory’ (Dublin 1886), pp.378-79
8 PRONI OS/6/3/23/3 OS map, 1901, Down 23
9 PRONI OS/6/3/23/4 OS map, 1920, Down 23

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
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Single storey hipped roof house of c.1840-50, with a large two storey return which assumed its present form in 1927 when the original pre 1834 single storey dwelling was raised in height. The front façade of the building has largely maintained its 19th century façade, but the return sports some large picture windows.