Rossconor Cottage

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Substantial, ‘picturesque Tudor’ 1½ storey house with gabled bays, overhanging eaves and battlemented porch, of pre 1834 origin, but whose present appearance is the result of a c.1840s remodeling. The property is set at the end of a long drive to the S of Annacloy Road, roughly 3 miles NW of Downpatrick. A largely ruinous gatehouse is located at the start of the drive with cement rendered gateposts in front supporting cast iron gates. A 1980's house is located between gate and main house.

The asymmetrical front elevation faces roughly N. Slightly to the right of centre of the elevation is a large full height gabled bay. To the centre of the (front) gable of the bay is an open porch with gabled roof and battlemented parapet. To the front (N) face of the porch there is an elliptical arch. Beyond this lies the panelled timber entrance door.

Flanking the porch are very narrow sash windows with Georgian panes (2/2). These, and most of the rest of the windows have simple geometric smooth render surrounds which may have been added c.1930s. Nearly all windows have sash frames with Georgian panes. Above the porch is a large tripartite window whose sidelights are lower that to centre (1/2, 6/6, 1/2). To the narrow E and W faces of the bay is a narrow window, same as those flanking the porch.

To the immediate left of the bay are two sash windows (both 6/6). To the far left is another full height bay. To the ground floor of this is a large, deep, flat arch recess with beveled corners. Within this recess is a smaller and much shallower flat arch recess with rounded corners, within which is a large double sash window (4/4, 4/4). To the first floor is a grouping of three narrow windows, with that to the centre taller (1/2, 2/3, 1/2).

To the right of the entrance bay are two windows (both 6/6).

The E gable there is a window to first floor (6/6). To the left this gable merges with the E face of a single storey gabled return, which has two small, square windows with modern frames.

The W gable are two windows to first floor, with that to right larger (6/6 as opposed to 4/4). Chimney breast to gable.

To the left of centre to the ground floor rear there is a paneled and glazed door. To the right of this is a small window (4/4). To the first floor are three unevenly spaced windows of varying size, that to left very small (1/1), the others 6/6 and 4/4. To the far right of the elevation is the gabled return. This has a modern glazed door and a window with modern frame, to its W face. A large rear return has been demolished in recent times.

The façade is finished in painted rough cast, with smooth render surrounds to openings. The gabled roof is slated and has an overhang with exposed rafter ends and decorative and barges and finials to the gables. The are five octagonal chimney pots set on to the ridge with small bases as (extremely small) stacks. Six skylights to rear. Cast iron rw goods.

At the entrance to the site are

Historical information

A building with large return is shown on this site on the OS map of 1834 whose dimensions of whose main section match those of the main section of the present dwelling (excluding bays). This building, which was then home of a Hugh Taylor, was of significant age by that stage, the valuers suggesting that it may have dated from the late 1700s. The revised OS map of 1858 shows the property much as today, with bays to front and two returns to rear. Judging from the style of the house, it is probable that the building was remodelled in c.1845, probably by John Kincaid, who appears to have held the property from some time after c.1836, until his death in 1849. The gate lodge to the north also shown on the 1858 map, (now largely ruinous), was probably also added at this stage.

The Kincaid family remained in residence until at least 1865. After this point the sequence of owners is uncertain, however for most of the period up until 1933 (when the present owner’s grandfather acquired the property) it may have been held by a family named Morrison. A large rear return was demolished with listed building consent as part of renovations carried out in 2000. The renovations by Donal McRandal Chartered Architects were grant aided by EHS and NIHE.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/30/1 OS map, Down sh 30, 1834
2 ‘OS Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Down IV’ ed. Angélique Day and Patrick McWilliams (QUB 1992), p.88
3 PRONI VAL/1B/386 1st valuation, Kilmore, c.1838
4 ‘Belfast and Province of Ulster directory’ (Henderson, Belfast News-Letter 1852-)
5 PRONI OS/6/3/30/2 OS map, Down sh 30, 1858
6 PRONI 2nd valuation, Kilmore, c.1863 [in print]
7 PRONI OS/6/3/30/3 OS map, Down sh 30, c.1901

Secondary sources
1 J.A.K Dean ‘The gate lodges of Ulster: A gazetteer’ (Belfast 1994), p.92

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Substantial, ‘picturesque Tudor’ 1½ storey house with gabled bays, overhanging eaves and battlemented porch, of pre 1834 origin, but whose present appearance is the result of a c.1840s remodeling. The building is of special interest for its style, proportion , ornamentation, surviving planform and internal detail. Its setting is complementary to its character. Its age and history also contribute to its interest.