'Shepherd's cottage'

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Substantial single storey gabled vernacular dwelling of c.1840 set at the end of a long track in Donard Park, about 1 mile W of Newcastle town centre.

The front façade faces N. To the left is a doorway, with a window to the left and right. To the right of the façade is a slightly smaller doorway and two further windows. The openings to the right side of the façade appear to have been altered in recent times. The W gable is blank. To the E gable is a small lean-to shed with a single doorway with modern door. To the rear are two very small high level openings, now boarded up. The building is currently used as an outdoor pursuits centre.

The front façade and gables are finished in rough-cast and painted. The rear façade is finished in unpainted render. All openings to the front are covered with metal shutters. Windows behind appear modern. The roof is covered in pantiles. Three rendered chimney stacks. Two modern rooflights windows to front. PVC rw goods.

Historical information

This building is not shown on the 1834 OS map, but appears on that of 1859, where it is marked ‘Shepherd’s Lodge’. It was probably built c.1840 and originally stood within the estate surrounding Donard Lodge, the Newcastle residence of the Earls Annesley. It is noted in the valuation of 1863 as the shepherd’s house. Part of the house may originally been used as a byre.

The building is currently used as an outdoor pursuits centre.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.1503 Annesley Papers.
2 PRONI OS/6/3/49/2 OS map, first rev., Co. Down 49.
3 PRONI Second (‘Griffith’s) valuation, Kilcoo, 1863.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Substantial single storey gabled vernacular dwelling of c.1840, formerly a shepherd’s cottage set within the estate surrounding Donard Lodge. The roof is now covered in pantiles and the doors and windows are modern. Some of the openings to the front façade have been altered in recent years.