62 Scotch Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large, three and two storey late Georgian terrace townhouse with main three storey portion probably dating from the late 1700s with the two storey section from c.1840. The ground floor openings have vermiculated quoins and voussoirs probably dating from c.1840 also. The house is set within the terrace on the N side of Scotch Street, to the NE of Downpatrick town centre.

To the right of centre of the (asymmetrical) S facade of the three storey section a short flight of steps lead up to a recent six panel door which is flanked by with ¾ fluted Doric columns with plain abacus supporting a projecting canopy. The astragals to the semicircular fanlight are now missing.

To the left of the doorway are two sash windows with horizontal astragals (2/2) and vermiculated quoins. To the right (and partly within the two storey section) are four similar windows. To the first floor of the three storey section are four windows as ground but without quoins. To second floor are four more windows, as first floor but with modern frames. To the first floor of the two storey section are three windows as first floor main section, but set at a slightly higher level.

To the right side of the rear elevation is a large two storey gabled return. The N gable of the return is blank. The W face was not accessible but internal evidence suggests it is blank. The E face has a stone stair to the left side. Cut under the stair (to E) is a door opening with a low head. To the right of the stair are three windows all of irregular size and spacing and all with modern timber window frames. To the left side of first floor is a door, at the head of the steps. The door head has been raised and cuts through eaves level. To the left of this is a gabled half dormer with a modern window frame and to the far right is a small window also with modern frame.

To the left of the rear façade is the rear of the two-storey section which ‘wraps’ around the left side of the three-storey section and joins up with the side of the large return. To the second floor of the three storey section is one sash window with Georgian panes (6/6).

To the left of the N face of the two-storey section is a small two storey lean-to return the roof of which merges with the main roof. To the ground floor of this return is large flat arch vehicle doorway with timber sheeted double door. To the right of this a small window opening with PVC frame. To the first floor right is an 8/8 sash window. To the right the main rear wall has one 8/8 sash window to ground floor. To the left of the first floor is a small 4/2 [?sash] window while to the right at an intermediate level is a semicircular headed sash window with plain sash frame. On the far right the façade is abutted by the end of the stair (see above).

The ground floor section of the front facade is finished in V-jointed lined render and heavy vermiculated in-out dressings and voussoirs to door and window openings. The wall surface to first and second floors is of random rubble construction. The first and second floor windows all have brick dressings. Short parapet to three storey section. The entire façade is painted with dark [almost chocolate] brown paint. All of the rear elevation is finished in rough cast render with the exception of the N face of the large return, which is in random rubble.

All sections of the roof are slated. There are three brick chimney stacks to the main roof (two to three storey section, one to the two storey section). The two storey return to the rear has two chimney stacks, a short brick one to the gable and a much taller rendered one further to the S. Mixture of cast iron and PVC rw goods.

There are small raised gardens either side of the front door, both contained by a low plain retaining wall with modern cope stone. The railings to the gardens were removed (like many others), during WWII.

Historical information

This portion of Scotch Street, which was originally known as ‘Barrack Street’, had been developed prior to c.1720. The three storey section of the present building probably dates from the latter half of the 18th century, though, given the apparent lack of documentary evidence, it is difficult to be totally certain. It is probably the house belonging to a Dr Bingham recorded in the 1838 valuation (with a rateable value of £15).*

The two storey portion appears to have been added in the mid 19th century, replacing an earlier building (which does not appear to have been an appendage to the three storey section). The vermiculated dressings to the front ground floor openings were probably added at this time also.

The current owners believe the main three storey portion of the house to have been built by a local merchant, who used to the high vantage point afforded by the property to keep track of the comings and goings of boats at Quoile Quay. They also believe that for a long period, (though they did not know when), the property belonged to a family named Forsythe.

References- Primary sources
1 Down County Museum ‘A plan of Downpatrick’ (c.1708)
2 PRONI D.477A ‘A survey of the town of Downpatrick in the county of Down and province of Ulster in Ireland’ by James Maguire (c.1708)
3 British Library, Addit. MS 9750, ff.71b-72 ‘A plan of the town of Downpatrick (c.1720)
4 British Library, Addit. MS 21, 131, f.90 ‘A plan of the town of Downpatrick 1729’
5 Walter Harris, ‘The ancient and present state of the County of Down’ (Dublin 1744)
6 PRONI OS/6/3/37/1 OS map, Down sh 37, 1834
7 Ordnance Survey memoirs of Co Down (IV), ed Angélique Day and Patrick McWilliams (QUB 1992), pp.38-61 [Dec. 1836]
8 PRONI VAL/1B/378 First valuation, Down, c.1838 [*Unfortunately this valuation does not supply either dimensions of buildings within Downpatrick or any indication of their age / condition; it merely gives a list of the occupants names and the rateable value of each property.]
9 PRONI VAL/1D/3/7 First valuation town plan of Downpatrick, c.1838
10 PRONI OS/8/9/1/1-24 OS town plans of Downpatrick, 1859
11 PRONI Second valuation, Down, 1863 (in print). [The map to accompany this valuation is missing.]
12 PRONI VAL/12E/120/1 Revaluation manuscript books, Downpatrick, 1864-1901
13 PRONI VAL/12E/120/1/1-24 Revaluation town plans of Downpatrick, 1864-1901 [12 sheets missing]
14 PRONI OS/8/9/2/1-3 OS town plans of Downpatrick, 1901
15 PRONI VAL/12E/120/2/1-3 Revaluation town plans of Downpatrick, 1906-35

Secondary sources
1 Lady Dunleath, P.J. Rankin, A Rowan, ‘Historic buildings…Downpatrick’ (Belfast 1970), p.21
2 Anthony M. Wilson, ‘Saint Patrick’s town’ (Belfast 1995)
3 R.H. Buchanan and Anthony Wilson, ‘Irish historic towns atlas no.8: Downpatrick’ (Royal Irish Academy 1996)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Fine three and two storey late Georgian terrace townhouse with main three storey portion probably dating from the late 18th century and two storey section of c.1840.