(Site of) Raleagh House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Site, (to the S of Dromore Road to the W of Ballynahinch town centre), of a large two storey Edwardian style residence with canted bays, possibly built around a dwelling of pre 1834 origin. The property, which served as the Manse for 3rd Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church during the early 1900s, was demolished in c.1980 and a modern housing estate built on the general site.

In the first survey of September 1970 the building was described as: ‘Two storey house with slated hipped and gabled roof. Chimneys rendered, walls painted rough cast with black pilaster quoins. Two storey oriel [i.e. bay] on left hand and single storey oriel on right hand with gable above and two first floor windows. Recent central projecting porch with window in main wall above. Entrance- a recessed glazed screen with central panelled door. Windows drop hung, no astragals. Outbuildings and back extension. Condition fair. Frontage about 50ft’.

Historical information

A two storey house is recorded on this site in the valuation returns of c.1838, whose dimensions appears to have matched the front portion of the house on the site until relatively recently. At some stage prior to 1856 the building, or another erected on the site, became the manse for 3rd Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church, a role it continued to fulfil until at least 1932. At some point shortly after this it was sold to a Mr Coulter. The building, which by this time was known as ‘Raleagh House’ was demolished c.1980.

From the original survey photographs, it would appear that the house, with its canted bays, and irregular hipped and gabled roof, was either wholly Edwardian, or the 1834 dwelling after a comprehensive remodelling of c.1900-10.

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 PRONI OS/6/3/22/1 OS map, Down sh 22, 1834
3 PRONI VAL/1B/388A-B Valuation records, Magherdrool, 1834-1838
4 Linen Hall Library ‘Slater’s National Commercial Directory of Ireland’ (Manchester 1846), p.442
5 PRONI and Linen Hall Library ‘Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory’ Vols.1-21, 1852-1900, (Belfast, Henderson [1852-65], Belfast News-Letter [1865- ])
6 Linen Hall Library ‘Slater’s National Commercial Directory of Ireland’ (Manchester 1856), p.408
7 PRONI OS/6/3/22/2 OS map, Down sh 22, 1858
8 PRONI and Linen Hall Library Second (Griffith’s) valuation, Magherdrool, c.1863 [in print]
9 Linen Hall Library ‘Slater’s National Commercial Directory of Ireland’ (Manchester 1870), pp.42-43
10 George Henry Bassett ‘Co Down guide and directory’ (Dublin 1886), pp.369-79
11 PRONI OS/6/3/22/3 OS map, Down sh 22, c.1901

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Site of a former large two storey Edwardian style residence with canted bays, possibly built around a house of pre 1834 origin. The property, which served as the manse for 3rd Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church during the early 1900s, was demolished in c.1980 and a modern housing estate built on the general site.