116 Dromore Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An asymmetrical two–storey four-bay farmhouse, of mid-nineteenth century appearance but possibly with earlier vernacular origins, located south of Dromore Road, Burren, on the outskirts of Dromara. Rectangular on plan with single-storey extension, thresher barn and outbuildings; conservatory to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof with blue/black angled ridge tiles and rendered chimneystacks having single pot. Replacement cast-iron half-round rainwater goods. Walling is painted roughcast render. Replacement timber-framed multi-paned casement windows throughout.

The principal elevation faces northeast and is asymmetrically arranged, being four openings wide. To left is single-storey extension having large window to centre and diminutive window to right. Replacement timber door to right of centre.

The southeast gable is blank and abutted by the lower extension.

The southwest (rear) elevation has three first floor windows set into gablets, with a diminutive window to left of centre. To right of centre at ground floor is conservatory; to right is a small window; to left are three windows. To far right the single-storey extension has a large window to centre.

The northwest gable has a single window to left at first floor.

To northeast of house is a slated rubble stone threshing barn complete with working thresher. To west are slated rubble stone stable blocks with brick dressings and timber-sheeted doors and half-doors. Outbuilding connected to house is fully renovated now acting as a modern office with replacement doors and skylights.

Setting:
Situated in a rural
setting surrounded by farmland. Accessed from the main road via a long single-track lane, entry via replacement timber farm gate into gravelled yard to front of house. Lawned and wild shrubbed garden to front and rear of house; to rear is also a small pond; gardens enclosed by mature trees and hedgerow.

Roof: Pitched natural slate
Walling: Roughcast
Windows: Timber-framed replacements
RWG: Replacement cast-iron

Historical information

This two-storey vernacular farmhouse was let by a Mr. Thomas Blaine from a David S. Ker in 1861 however the Freeholders Register of 1813 records that a Mr. John Blaine had first leased land from David S. Ker (PRONI Freeholders Register – 1813). The first edition of the Ordnance Survey maps for the area record that the current farmhouse had been constructed from at least 1834; the map depicts the farmhouse as an oblong structure with an outbuilding situated to its east facing gable. By the second edition of the Ordnance Survey map in 1859 two smaller outbuildings had been constructed to the north-east of the farmhouse (although only one of these now survives); one of these outbuildings was used as a threshing barn.

In 1861 Thomas Blaine was recorded as the occupant of the farmhouse, offices and land which were valued in Griffith's Valuation at £6. Thomas Blaine lived at the farm with his wife Jane and their children until his death in 1893 (PRONI Wills Catalogue – 18/11/1893). With his death the house passed into the possession of Thomas’ oldest son James Blaine who occupied the farm until at least 1911. The 1901 Census tells us that James (32) lived at the farm with his widowed mother Jane (74) and his sister Agnes (34); the census building return describes the house at that time as a 1st class dwelling which consisted of 6 rooms and possessed a slated roof. Jane Blaine died in 1907, leaving her children effects of £260 0s. 2d. (PRONI Wills– 24/11/1907). The third edition Ordnance Survey map (1902-03) shows that the current north-east threshing barn was extended at some stage between 1859 and the end of the 19th century; by 1911 the group of outbuildings which survive at this site were used to house a stable, cow house, piggery, fowl house and a turf house. The slated rubble-stone stable block to the east of the farmhouse first appears on the fourth edition of the Ordnance Survey maps and was constructed between 1902 and 1920.

Field inspection suggests a mid-nineteenth century date of construction, however the house first appears on the maps from 1834 suggesting that the current house either replaced, or was modified, from an earlier vernacular building. The outbuildings still contain a threshing barn which still possesses a working threshing machine in the rear yard. The stable block to the east of the farmhouse is still well maintained although its roof has been replaced with corrugated iron. The largest of the outbuildings, which now abuts the farmhouse has been renovated and now acts as an office building for the business of the current owner.

References
Primary Sources
1. PRONI OS/6/3/22/1 – First edition Ordnance Survey Map 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/3/22/2 – Second edition Ordnance Survey Map 1859
3. PRONI OS/6/3/22/3 – Third edition Ordnance Survey Map 1902-03
4. PRONI OS/6/3/22/4 – Fourth edition Ordnance Survey Map 1919-20
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/68 – Griffith’s Valuation 1861
6. PRONI Freeholders Register (1813)
7. PRONI Wills Catalogue (1893; 1907)
8. Census of Ireland 1901/1911

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An asymmetrical two-storey three-bay farmhouse of mid 19th century appearance, possibly having evolved from an earlier vernacular dwelling pre-dating 1834. The setting is largely unspoiled and the stable blocks and working threshing barn contribute to the historic integrity of the group. Although interesting the building has been significantly altered internally, has replacement windows and rainwater goods and is not considered to meet the criteria for listing.

General comments

This record was completed without access to original source material held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.