104 MAIN ST.

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three attached two-storey Georgian town houses with attics, built in the 18th century, as part of the early development of Moira. Now operating as one single large premises the building is located at the northern end of the principal thoroughfare at the foot of the hill on the north side of Main Street adjoining number 100 on the left hand side. Rectangular in plan form with small rear returns.

The roofing is pitched natural slate with clay ridge tiles over with coping stones over the right gable end. Rendered chimney stacks serving the principal bays; no pots. The walling is random rubble basalt with sandstone quoins and string courses. The windows are replacement single glazed timber sliding sash, painted white, with large sandstone cills and 1 ½ red brick surrounds and flat arches over. Two front doors; the left hand side is a six-panelled timber door, flanked by pilasters with moulded capitals, with a half circle fan light over set into an arch opening with moulded stucco surrounds with a central key-block. The right is a six-panelled timber door flanked by moulded Doric columns supporting a broken-pediment with a half circle fanlight enclosed.

The principal elevation faces south and is asymmetrically arranged; distinguished by three adjoining facades. The centre and right facade comprise a three-and a four-bay terrace townhouse; continuous reeded sandstone frieze with moulded cornice running full length at eaves level. The front doors are located to the left of each facade with windows to the right, and first floor windows directly over. The right hand building has small timber framed basement windows with sandstone lintels and relieving elliptical brick arches over. The adjoining left building comprises three ground and first floor windows with an infilled door opening at ground floor centre right. This portion of the overall elevation does not share the decorative sandstone dressings.

The left gable abuts number 100 Main Street which incorporates a elliptical arched coach entrance.

The rear elevation is a mixture of random basalt stone and natural finished cement render. Various hipped and lean-to roofed additions have occurred historically, serving as cellular single-storey extensions. A two-storey return is located to the left hand side serving as the stairwell to number 106. Various other modern alterations including the blocking up of original windows, large cement finished surrounds to new openings and the introduction of timber casement windows have also occurred in various locations. Altered window openings and modern galvanised steel fire escape stair to the rear of 102.

The right gable is rendered with cement and has a door opening located on the right hand side to the basement with a small window to the left. Two high level squared 2/2 sliding sash to the attic level with one 1/1 sliding sash to the right hand side of the first floor level.

Setting:

The building forms part of the two-storey Georgian terraces which largely make up the lower part of the town. Long raised terrace with railings to the front elevation accessed by steps at either end. Yard to the rear of 102 accessed from coach entrance; car parking to the rear of 106.

Roofing Natural slate
Walling Random rubble basalt with red brick surrounds and sandstone detailing
Windows 6/6 timber sliding sash
RWG Cast-iron

Historical information

Built c.1760 according to Brett, however many of the two storey Georgian buildings in Moira are widely accepted to have been erected as part of the early development of the town in the early 18th century. A date stone inscribed with 1735, located on a neighbouring building of similar age, is reputed to denote the completion of the village which might date this building early than 1760. No architect is attributed with the building.

The building appears on the first edition OS Maps from 1833 as the end terrace of a pair of terraces which line the Main Street of Moira. The early maps also indicate wooded areas to the rear although by the 1858 edition the wooded areas have been cultivated into gardens. The early maps also indicate early additional extensions and outbuildings to the rear however these no longer exist.

Griffiths Valuations, 1864, records the occupier of number 106 to be the Rev Johnathon Harding and number 104 by James Livingston Douie who was the land steward for the Moira Estate and remained in occupancy of the house for the next 71 years until the Annual Revisions show a change of tenant in 1925. After the Rev Harding in 1866, number 106 went through many occupiers as well as spending many years vacant.

In 1900 John Douie, son of James L Douie, took up the tenancy but only for a short while before he died in 1907, eleven days after he was ordained in England. (Rudd)
Brett makes reference to the house being called “Dewey (Douie) House” but gives no date. (Brett p.160)

By mid 1930s Lord Deramore, land owner of both dwellings, issues a notice of appeal, in response to the R.V. Binders1933-57 valuation of number 104 referring to the poor economic situation of Moira as a whole. “Business has left the village, only low rents can be obtained, the buildings are old – they have been maintained in exceptionally good repair.” R.V.Binders 8.4.35

At the same time his appeal for number 106 goes further to say “It is difficult to let a large or comparatively large house in Moira – business has departed form the village – it is a backwash with nothing to attract strangers. The house is very old and very expensive to keep up. An immediate expenditure of £50 is required before it can be let” R.V.Binders 8.4.35

Both dwellings continued to serve as residence to various occupants throughout the 20th century, although continued to deteriorate. Dr Anthony Damoglou restored number 104 as a family residence c.1987 just before Hearth Housing Association restored 106 in 1989, for its present owners, who also acquired number104 in 1995 as part of an extension, for their commercial use.

References – Primary sources

1. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7A - Annual Revisions 1866-78
2. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7B – Annual Revisions 1878-93
3. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7C – Annual Revisions 1894-08
4. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7D – Annual Revisions 1909-20
5. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7E – Annual Revisions 1920-29
6. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13A – Annual Revisions Map 1863-79
7. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13C– Annual Revisions Map 1895-14
8. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13E– Annual Revisions Map 1925-35
9. PRONI VAL/12E/109/1 – Annual Revisions Map 1906-35
10. PRONI OS/6/3/13 - OS Map 1833
11. PRONI OS/6/3/13 - OS Map 1858
12. PRONI OS/6/3/13 - OS Map 1904
13. PRONI OS/6/3/13 - OS Map 1916
14. PRONI VAL/3D/4/12F/4 - RV Binders Val. 1933-57
15. PRONI VAL/14A/183/12 - 3RD General Revaluation Lists 1975
16. PRONI VAL/14B/256/11A - 3RD General Revaluation Lists 1976 – 1987
17. PRONI VAL/14C/248- 3RD General Revaluation Lists 1987 – 1993

Reference - Secondary source

18. Canon CRJ Rudd – Moira: A Historical Handbook - Plantation Press Lisburn 674530 and Moira 619759 c.1992
19. CEB Brett – Buildings of North County Down – UAHS 1996

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A group of three two-storey Georgian terraces built during the early development of Moira in the 18th century. Externally these buildings are of an elevated status, with their sandstone quoins and elaborately detailed front entrances and eaves details, unseen elsewhere on the terrace. Their characters contribute significantly to the townscape of Moira and although the piecemeal nature of the random rubble finish to the front facade might suggest it may have originally been intended to be a render finished with sandstone detailing, the mixture of materials adds to the visual character of the buildings. Internally much alteration has taken place by opening up the floor spaces to suit its present use; all modern work have been carried out sympathetically and do not detract from the internal character of the buildings. Historically the rear has undergone various alterations and presently serves as subservient ancillary accommodation. With their elegant facades, historical connections to the Moira Estate and setting at the former entrance to the historic part of Moira, opposite the listed terrace including nos. 77-101 Main St. (HB19/22/005A-M), the buildings have significant architectural and historic value within the village.

General comments

This record now includes 102 and 106 Main Street, Moira