94 Saul Street (Betsy's Terrace)

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three storey terrace house of c.1820, one of a block of five (originally) identical dwellings which, due to the steep rise in ground level, are two storey to the front. The house is situated at the NE end of the block, and, (like its neighbours) is set on the squint. The terrace itself in on the NW side of Saul Street, to the NE of Downpatrick town centre.

The front façade faces SE. To the left on the ground floor is a modern (partly glazed) door with (almost) semicircular fanlight with original ‘spider web’ iron tracery. To the right of the door is a window with modern frame. To the first floor are two similar windows. The front façade is finished in dry dash. The NE gable is cement rendered.

At ground (‘basement’) level to the left at the rear is a modern flat roofed extension with small two storey section. To the first floor is a window, with another to second floor- both with modern frames. The rear is rendered with much of the extension in a dry dash.

The gabled roof appears to be covered in artificial ‘slate’ and has a concrete brick chimney stack. Velux window to rear. Cast iron and PVC rw goods. Low rendered wall to front.

Historical information

[Note- More comprehensive history, (with valuations etc.), to follow with next (Seaforde) ward.]

The short terrace to which this house belongs is shown on the OS map of 1834 and may date from c.1820. The name ‘Betsy’s Terrace’ is said locally to refer to Betsy Gray (of 1798 Rising fame), whom- one theory suggests -came from Downpatrick. Whether this theory is true or not is debatable, and what connection (if any) she had with this area of Saul Street is unknown. If she did have some connection with the actual terrace it would suggest that the houses may be late 18th rather than early 19th century, though this seems doubtful.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/37/1 OS map, 1834
2 PRONI OS/6/3/37/2 OS map, 1859
3 PRONI OS/6/3/37/3 OS map, 1901
4 PRONI OS/6/3/37/4 OS map, 1920

Secondary sources
1 R.H. Buchanan and Anthony Wilson ‘Irish historic towns atlas No.8- Downpatrick’ (Royal Irish Academy, 1997)
2 Bill Wilsdon ‘The sites of the 1798 rising in Antrim and Down’ (Belfast 1997), pp.135-6, 160, 172 [Betsy Gray etc.]

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Three storey terrace house of c.1820, one of a block of five identical dwellings which (due to the steep rise in ground level) are two storey to the front. To the rear there is a large modern extension and all the windows have modern frames.