Castlenavin

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Relatively large, plain single storey gabled house of probable pre 1834 construction, with early 20th century flat roofed porch. Two canted bays to the front were removed recently and the window frames are largely now PVC. The property is set on a slight rise to the N of New Line Road, less than a mile W of the small village of Loughinisland, c.5 miles W of Downpatrick.

The front façade faces S and is symmetrical. To the centre is a flat roofed porch with modern looking glazed doorscreen to front and narrow window to the E and W faces. To either side of the porch (to main façade) there are three windows. With the (relatively) recent removal of the outer bays, these windows are now unevenly spaced. The front windows all have modern PVC frames.

To the W gable there is a small semicircular headed upper level window with sash frame (horizontal glazing bars- 2/2). The E gable has a similar window. To the ground floor right on this gable there is a window, similar in size to those to front but with plain sash frame. To the right of this window the gable is abutted by a high rubble wall (which extends from the gable of an adjacent outbuilding.

To the right on the rear façade there is a partly glazed door, reached via a short flight of steps. To the right of this is a window. To the left of the doorway are two more windows, with that to the right probably enlarged in recent times. All the rear windows have PVC frames.

The front façade and gables are finished in painted lined render with in / out quoins. Dentilled eaves course to front. The rear is finished in plain unpainted render. The gabled roof is slated and has three cast iron skylights to the rear. Four, symmetrically arranged, rendered chimney stacks. Cast iron rw goods.

Extensive outbuildings to rear. To the N of the outbuildings is a derelict single storey vernacular dwelling (itself recently used as an outbuilding), with slated roof, rubble facade and remains of large kitchen fireplace.

Historical information

The dimensions of the present house appear to match those of the building on this site noted in the valuation of 1836 and shown on the 1834 OS map. It is probable therefore that this property is of pre 1834 construction and (according to the aforementioned valuation) may have dated from the later 1700s.

In 1836 the resident is noted as one William Blackwood. The Blackwoods were still present in c.1860.

In the later 1800s, or c.1900, canted bays were added to the front of the property with the flat roofed porch added at this stage also, or perhaps slightly later. The bays were removed at some time after 1978.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI D.366 Forde papers
2 PRONI OS/6/3/37/1 OS map, Down sh 37, 1834
3 PRONI VAL/1B/387 1st valuation, Loughinisland, 1836
4 PRONI OS/6/3/37/2 OS map, Down sh 37, 1858
5 PRONI 2nd valuation, Loughinisland, c.1860 [in print]

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Relatively large, plain single storey gabled house of probable pre 1834 construction, with early 20th century flat roofed porch. Two canted bays to the front were removed recently and the window frames are largely now PVC. The building is not of special architectural or historic interest.