1 The Square

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Relatively small, two storey terrace house of c.1840, largely intact externally but with a PVC front door. The house is set at the E end of the terrace on the N side of The Square, at the centre of the village of Clough.

The front (S) façade is symmetrical. To the centre is a PVC door. To the left of this is a sash window with Georgian panes ( 6/6- all windows have similar frames). To the right of the doorway is a similar window, with three more to the first floor.

The E façade has two windows to each floor, as front.

To the left at the rear there projects a long, single storey (slated) gabled outbuilding return with rough cast façade and a few small odd window openings. This return is set at an angle to the house. To the immediate right of the return is a small lean-to porch (also attached to the return) with a timber sheeted door and small adjacent ‘sidelight’ window. To the right of this is a window, as front, with two more to the first floor.

The front façade is finished in unpainted rough cast with moulded in / out quoins. The rear is finished in unpainted lined render. The gabled roof is covered in natural slate. Two small rendered chimney stacks (to gables). Cast iron rw goods.

To the immediate NE of the house is a garden enclosed with a rubble wall with gateway to the S with square gate piers and wrought iron gates (all of which appear to be original).

Historical information

The valuation returns of 1836 tell us that this site was then occupied by a single storey house occupied by one James McMullan. Judging from its style, it is possible that the present dwelling was erected not long after this, perhaps c.1840. The building (along with the return) is shown on the valuation plan c.1860. At this stage the resident is recorded as a Rev. David Watson, so it is possible that the property may have acted for a time as a manse, or even have been built as one [?perhaps for the minister of the near by Non-subscribing Presbyterian church- itself built in 1837]. The present owners family acquired the house in c.1890.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/1B/387 1st valuation, Loughinisland, 1836-38
2 PRONI VAL/1D/3/19 valuation plan of Clough, 1838
3 PRONI VAL/2D/3/2 valuation plan of Clough, c.1860 [with annotations of c.1905]
4 PRONI 2nd valuation, Loughinisland, c.1860 [in print]
5 PRONI OS/8/78/1 OS plan of Clough, 1901
6 PRONI VAL/3G/64/1 valuation plan of Clough, 1935-1956

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Two storey terrace house of c.1840, largely intact externally, and of special architectural and historic character