Milltown House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A long asymmetrical two-storey three-bay Georgian house dated c.1747. Rectangular in plan form with various single and double storey returns, built at different times, to the rear elevation. Located on the west side of the junction between Deriaghy Road and Barnfield Road.

The roofing is pitched natural slate with clay ridge tiles with clipped verges to the gable ends. Four sets of chimneys stacks are located uniformly across the ridge line, with paired tall clay pots over. Cast-iron rain water goods with semi-circular guttering fixed to single corbelled stone eaves. Some uPVC replacement to the rear. The walling is ruled-and-lined natural finish render with rusticated quoins. The windows are principally single glazed 6/6 Georgian sliding sash; no horns; large stone cills; label mouldings over. The front entrance door is a six-pannelled timber door with cast-iron ironmongery, flanked by glazed and solid panels set within a large elliptical arched opening, with fan light over and moulded surround to match windows.

The principal elevation faces east and is uniformly arranged. The front entrance is located off centre with two windows to the right and four windows to the left. The first floor windows are arranged directly over the ground floor openings. A date stone is located above and to the right of the entrance and is dated 1747 with the initials R.M.M.

The south facing gable elevation has three window openings at various levels, all of which have been bricked up. The elevation faces directly onto the Deriaghy Road.

The west facing elevation addresses the rear yard which serves all the out buildings. Its asymmetrical arrangement is a result of various historical and modern extensions and returns which in turn creates a dynamic composition.

The asymmetrical north-facing right gable elevation extends towards the rear yard and encompasses a single storey return with varying window types including box sash, timber casement and small fixed lights.

Setting:
This large Georgian house is set within its own landscaped grounds. It is access through the modern gates fixed to two large piers. The driveway curves around the bottom of the front garden and leads up to the principal elevation. Access to the rear is adjacent to the west gable which leads to a secure enclosure. The outbuildings are of a later date and are pitched slated roofs with rough cast walling painted white.

Roofing: Natural slate
Walling: Ruled-and lined render
Windows: Timber sliding sash
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

Milltown house appears on the OS first survey maps of 1833 and is shown to be a rectangular plan form with outbuildings to the rear and captioned ‘Milltown’. The second and third edition maps of 1859 and 1904 show the various alterations to the rear of the main house and to the associated outbuildings, developing into what presently exists.

The entry in the 1835 Townland Valuations does not clearly indicate the exact occupier or valuation of the building however it is most likely to have formed part of a larger estate under the ownership of the Marquis of Hertford. A possible occupier being Murray Alderdice, who at least had a very similar entry in the valuation books. The estate included the house and various other properties including a corn mill and spade manufactory, all of which was valued at £25.13.

By the time of Griffiths Valuation in 1861, it is clarified that the house was occupied by the Mc Bride family who remained as occupiers, as recorded in the Annual Revisions, until the early part of the 20th century. In 1862 the Annual Revisions valuer notes; “Wm Mc Bride still complaining of high value of both land and houses, asked could the rent be reduced to £18 as it is an old house ……and has not modern arrangements.” The house continued to decline in value following further complaints of the valuation, owing to the age of the house. Following the death of the Marquis of Hertford, his son, Sir Richard Wallace, inherited his fathers estates which included Milltown House in 1873. The McBrides continued to contest the valuation as being too high, with valuers notes citing that the house was old and too large for a farm house, and recommending that the house should be valued accordingly. The value subsequently continued to fall to £17 and finally recorded at £8.

The date plaque on the exterior of the house is inscribed with “1747” however Brett (p.143) cites Fagan in stating that the building’s origins were much earlier than that, “This is said to be the date at which the house was rebuilt and that it was originally built before the rebellion of 1688. However it was newly roofed and slated in 1828, and in 1836 about £180 spent on repairing it and the appendages annexed to it.” The noted appendages possibly referring to the two additional bays added to the right hand side of the house. Brett (p.143) continues to note that the house was the old vicarage of Derriaghy and was occupied by the Rev. Thomas Thompson, who died there in February 1858.

Barr (p.41-42) also notes that the building was known as ‘Milltown Lodge’ for a while before it became ‘Milltown house’, offering a possible connection and subsequent meeting place for the formation of the Milltown Freemasons Lodge in 1782, prior to which freemasons were meeting informally in the Milltown Inn owned by the Alderdice family.

Supporting the house’s use as a meeting place for community groups, Barr (p.41-42) states, “The hall, situated near the junction of Barnfield Road and Derriaghy Road, was built in May 1922. Before its erection meetings were held in Milltown House, at that time the home of Mr. R. M. Watson and previously occupied by a family named McBride.”

Presently occupied by the founders of the Pastel Society of Ireland, the Milltown house also operates as a private gallery holding regular exhibitions of art work.

Primary References:

1. PRONI OS/6/1/64/1 - OS Map 1833
2. PRONI OS/6/1/64/2b - OS Map 1859
3. PRONI OS/6/1/64/3 - OS Map 1904
4. PRONI OS/6/1/64/6 - OS Map 1938
5. PRONI VAL/1/B/125 - Townland Valuations 1828-1840
6. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/19A - Griffiths Valuation 1856-1864
7. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/2A - Annual Revisions 1862-65
8. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/2B - Annual Revisions 1866-1879
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/2C - Annual Revisions 1879-1889
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/2D - Annual Revisions 1889-1900
11. PRONI VAL/12/B/8/2E - Annual Revisions 1900-1912

Secondary References:

1. Barr, W.N.C. “Christ Church Derriaghy A Short History of the Parish” 1974.
2. Brett, C.E.B. “Buildings of County Antrim” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society and Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A long asymmetrical two-storey three-bay Georgian house construcuted c.1747. Regtangle on plan and located within its own landscaped grounds, south gable bound by the Deriaghy Road. Displaying proportions and detailing typical of the Georgian period, much of the architectural fabric is intact. Externally the modest style and elegant proportions of the house are an excellent and largely unaltered example of a house of this period. The wooded surroundings and sweeping driveway add to the character and setting of the house. With origins dating to the 17th century the house is of local interest.