31 High Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large, three storey terrace house, with shop, of c.1840, set on the W side of High Street, in the centre of Ballynahinch.

The front (E) façade is asymmetrical. To the left on the ground floor is the entrance to the house, which consists of a (recent) panelled door with narrow panelled pilaster jambs, entablature and cornice. To the right of this is a large shop front with central doorway and large flanking windows. The shop front arrangement appears to be largely original, but door, jambs, window frames etc all appear to be recent replacements (c.1990s). Above the shop front is a PVC internally illuminated signboard with two similar projecting signs. To the right of the shop front is a segmental headed carriage arch with granite voussoirs and metal sheeted double doors.

To the first floor are three evenly spaced sash windows with Georgian panes (6 panes over 6). To the second floor are three similar but smaller sash windows (3/6). The front façade is finished in painted lined render.

To the rear there is a large mainly flat roofed mainly single storey return (which could not be clearly seen as it was largely obscured by a high yard wall. To the first floor there is a window with modern frame to left. To the right of this is a modern door (which gives access to a terrace on the return roof). To far right (at a slightly higher stair landing level) is a semicircular headed window with Georgian paned sash frame. To the second floor are two windows with modern frames. The rear elevation is also in lined render.

The gabled roof is slated and has two rendered chimney stacks (that to S shared with No.33). Cast iron and PVC rw goods.

Historical information

This site is shown occupied on all maps from the mid 1700s onwards (and probably long before this). The valuation returns of c.1836-38, tell us that at that stage the site was occupied by a relatively old two storey house, ‘with shop in front’, belonging to a Samuel Smith. The 1863 valuation map shows what is undoubtedly the present building, which judging from its appearance, may not have been built too long after 1838, perhaps c.1840.

In 1863 the owner of the property is recorded as one James Robinson, who is listed in Slater’s Directory for 1856 as a grocer. Since the 1970s, at least, the shop has contained a newsagent’s / tobacconist’s.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.1255 Title deeds, legal and testamentary papers, correspondence and Irish Land Commissioners Papers re the Ballynahinch Estate, 1630-1940
2 ‘Taylor’s and Skinner’s maps of the roads of Ireland’ (Dublin 1777) map 284
3 PRONI D.272/41 MS map of Ballynahinch by William Byers, c.1790
4 PRONI OS/1/3/22 OS map 1st ed., 1834, Co. Down 22
5 ‘Ordinance Survey Memoirs of Ireland’ vol.17 ed Angélique Day and Patrick McWilliams (QUB 1992) p.106
6 PRONI VAL/1D/3/19 Valuation town plan, Ballynahinch, 1838
7 PRONI OS/9/41/1 OS Town plan of Ballynahinch, 1860
8 William McComb ‘Guide to Belfast and adjoining districts’ (Belfast 1861)
9 PRONI VAL/12E/83/1 Valuation town plans, Ballynahinch, 1864-1905
10 PRONI VAL/12E/83/2 Valuation town plans, Ballynahinch, 1905-35
11 PRONI OS/8/3/2 OS town plan of Ballynahinch, 1920
12 PRONI VAL/3G/59/1 Valuation town plans, Ballynahinch, 1937-53

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Large, three storey terrace house of c.1840 with shop front and carriage arch. To the rear there is a large single storey return, the roof of which is now used as a terrace.