Annahilt Almshouses

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached symmetrical multi-bay single-storey rendered former almshouses with central gable, built c.1835, formerly nine units, now comprising three dwellings. Rectangular on plan with central return, facing east and set below road level at the junction of Ballynahinch and Magheraconluce Roads with railed front area and rear walled gardens. Restored by Hearth c.1987 and currently accessed off Magheraconluce Road with rear bitmac communal parking area.

Hipped natural slate roof, with clay ridge tiles and lead ridges to the hips, cement coping to front gable. Four rendered chimneystacks with terracotta pots and cast-iron guttering on iron brackets to rendered eaves course with cast-iron downpipes. Lime-washed rendered walling with rendered pediment to the gable having a blank rectangular panel. Square-headed window openings with painted stone sills and original bipartite latticed iron casement windows. Vertically-sheeted timber doors, original round-headed doors to the front (no longer in use), replacement square-headed doors to the rear.

Symmetrical single-storey front east elevation with central single-bay breakfront gable flanked by pair of round-headed door openings and extending to either side by four windows.

Single-bay south side elevation with single blind window panel.

Symmetrical rear west elevation has central single-bay gabled projection with a window opening to either cheek and flanked by a door opening, extending to either side by four windows and a door.

Single-bay north side elevation with single window opening.

Setting:
Set on a north-south axis below road level at the junction of Ballynahinch and Magheraconluce Roads with railed front area and rear walled gardens.
Simple iron railing encloses front area, north and south side areas to the road. Original rubblestone wall encloses three rear gardens with two lean-to garden structures and a wrought-iron gate giving access to each. Gates open onto communal bitmac parking area opening onto Magheraconluce Road to the north.

Roof Natural slate
RWG Cast-iron
Walling Lime-wash lime render
Windows Original iron lattice casement

Historical information

The Almshouses first appear uncaptioned on the second edition OS map 1859. Brett however, (p.213) cites Lewis’s Topographical Survey which suggests that the building is much earlier; “Robert sharland Esq., a native of Barnstaple, Devon, who died on the 6th May 1833, bequeathed from £2000 to £3000 in trust to the clergy of the parish and the proprietor of one or two townlands, for the erection of ten almshouses….the buildings were about to be commenced on the spring of 1835”

Griffith’s Valuation 1862, records the building as ‘Widows Alms House’ and values it at £6 10s. The OS maps of 1902-03 and 1919-20, now captioned ‘Almshouses’, show no apparent change to the footprint. This is supported by the Annual Revisions 1866-1929 which also shows no change to the valuation.

In 1987 Hearth Housing fully restored the houses, converting them into three dwellings. Hearth stated that during the restoration, evidence of an old external wall was uncovered suggesting that 191-197 were added to the earlier part, closest to the road. (Hearth)

Primary References:

1. PRONI OS/6/3/22/1 – OS Map 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/3/22/2 – OS Map 1859
3. PRONI OS/6/3/22/3 – OS Map 1902-03
4. PRONI OS/6/3/22/4 – OS Map 1919-20
5. PRONI VAL/1B/333 – Townland Valuation 1828-40
6. PRONI VAL1A/3/8 – Townland Valuation Field Map c.1830
7. PRONI VAL/2B/3/35 – Griffith’s Valuation 1862
8. PRONI VAL/2A/322A-C – Griffith’s Valuation Field Map 1861
9. PRONI VAL/12B/20/1A-E – Annual Revisions 1866-1929

Secondary References:

1. Brett, C.E.B. “Buildings of North County Down” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 2002

2. “Hearth” Hearth Publication, 2005

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity
V. Authorship

Evaluation

Detached multi-bay single-storey former almshouses, built c.1835, on the west side of Ballynahinch Road, Annahilt. Restored by Hearth Housing Association in 1987, the former nine houses were renovated to form three dwellings. The careful restoration is evident from the wealth of external fabric such as natural slate to the roof, white-washed walls, original and good replacement sheeted timber doors and the original latticed iron windows. While the interiors have been largely reconfigured, the retention of the original vertically sheeted doors gives an authentic touch while providing modern accommodation, adding to the character and appeal of the composition on this prominent village site. The main block is enhanced by the boundary railings, walling and gates as well as the outhouses to the rear.