House near Bellfield

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Unusual, but relatively plain, one and a half storey with gabled entrance bay, of probable pre-1834 origin, but which probably assumed its present form c.1890-1900. The house set in a hollow to the E of the Spa Road, roughly 1.5 miles S of Ballynahinch.

This house may have originally been entered from the N but it is now entered from the S. To right of centre of the S front is a two storey gabled projection. To the E face of the ground floor is a plain sheeted timber door. To the S face there is a window each to the ground and first floors. To the W face of the porch is a 2/2 sash window to the first floor. The ground floor is obscured by a small lean-to. To the S face of the lean-to extension has a small window to the left and a timber sheeted door to the right. The W face of the lean-to is blank. To the left of the lean-to is a steel sheeted door.

The W gable has two first floor 6/6 sash windows. The ground floor is blank.

The E gable has one centred first floor window.

The N façade has 5 evenly spaced 6/6 sash windows.

The façade is finished in rough cast. The main portion of the building appears to be rubble-built with the bay in red brick. The gabled roof is slated and has two central chimney stacks. Small skylight to rear. Sections of cast iron rw goods.

This building appears to have been abandoned some time ago and is in poor condition.

Historical information

This building may be that shown on the OS maps of 1834 and 1858, however it appears to have assumed its present appearance in c.1890-1900, when the gabled brick built entrance bay was added. From map evidence it appears that prior to this date the building may have been entered from the opposite side (north). The present owner stated that he believed this to be the case also. The owner also stated that he believes that the property once acted as an inn or coach house, but its size and proximity to both Ballynahinch and The Spa suggests that this is unlikely. Like many other properties in the area, however, it may once have served as a guest house for those visiting The Spa.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/29/1 OS map, Down sh 29, 1834
2 PRONI OS/6/3/29/2 OS map, Down sh 29, 1858
3 PRONI and Linen Hall Library Second (Griffith’s) valuation, Magherdrool, c.1863 [in print]
4 PRONI OS/6/3/29/3 OS map, Down sh 29, c.1901

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Unusual, but relatively plain, one and a half storey house, with gabled entrance bay, of probable pre-1834 origin, but which probably assumed its present form c.1890-1900, when the entrance was moved to the opposite (south) side and the bay added.