Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
Grotto / Folly
Ballymaglave north, Newry, Mourne and Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- Grotto
- Date of construction
- 1820 - 1839
- Address
- Grotto / Folly, Montalto Estate, Dromore Road, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PX
- Townland
- Ballymaglave north
- Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.39371, -5.90354
- Date of survey
- 15 September 2000
- HB reference
- HB18/06/034
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1794 "Sheet 55. (Cary's England, Wales, and Scotland)." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
Somewhat enigmatic cave like subterranean structure approximately 100m S of Montalto House (within the Montalto estate, S of Ballynahinch).
The structure is carved from the natural rock and has roughly cut stone stair leading down into it.
The function of this structure is not known. The present owner has no knowledge of its origins. It does not show on any maps. The writers surmise that it may have been some sort of folly.
Historical information
Nothing is indicated on this site on the OS map of 1834, but a summerhouse is marked close to this site on the revised map of 1858. This appears to refer to a now demolished building, which may, or may not have had a connection with the above described ‘cave’.
References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/29/2 OS map, Down sh 29, 1858
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
Somewhat enigmatic cave or grotto-like subterranean opening approximately 100 metres south of Montalto House.
Nearby in the register
- House at MontaltoHouseunder 1 mi
- Montalto HouseCountry Houseunder 1 mi
- Pump situated in the Farmyard, Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, Co DownPumpunder 1 mi
- Farm buildings at Montalto HouseFarm Buildingsunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.