78 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey, two-bay mid terrace Georgian townhouse; rectangular plan form with extensive single storey returns to the rear, originally built c.1735. Located on the north side of the principal thoroughfare through the town of Moira, adjacent to number 76 and 80 Main Street.

The roofing is pitched natural slate with clay ridge tiles with a clipped verge to the right hand gable end. One brick chimneystack with no pots over at the right hand gable end. uPVC rain water goods throughout. The walling is natural finished rubble coursed basalt with galletting and 1 ½ red brick flat arches and surrounds to openings and a smooth rendered plinth. The windows are double glazed replacement tripartite and 6/6 sliding sash with horns, painted white, with rectangular stone cills. The front entrance door is a six-panelled timber door with a half circle fanlight over, set into an arched opening. The door is flanked by stucco pilasters with cornice head and smooth rendered arch and key-block over.

The principal elevation faces south and is asymmetrically arranged with the front door located in the left hand bay. Tripartite windows are located to ground and first floor on the right hand side with 6/6 sliding sash over the entrance. One non-illuminated fascia sign is located over the ground floor window.

The left gable end abuts number 76 Main Street, part forming the side wall to the adjoining coach entrance.

The north facing rear elevation has a series of lean-to extensions, projecting northwards, all built at varying times. The original rear openings have been blocked up. The walling to the rear is natural finished smooth render.

The right gable end abuts number 80 Main Street, Moira.

The building faces directly on to the principal road through Moira with direct entrance off the foot path. The access through the adjoining carriageway leads into a rear courtyard of sympathetically constructed commercial properties, which also serves to give rear access to the building.

Roofing Natural slate
Walling Basalt random rubble with red brick surrounds, ruled and lined render to the rear
Windows 6/6 Timber sliding sash, 9/9 tripartite sliding sash
RWG uPVC

Historical information

Built c.1735 during the towns early development in the 18th century credited with the Rawdon family. A date stone located in the façade of a neighbouring building is widely accepted to indicate the completion of the village, during that period, and is dated 1735. (Rudd)

It is not until the Annual Revision records 1909-20, that the building now known as number 78 was individually valued. Prior to that all records indicate that 78 was included in the valuation of number 76, which at that time was a hotel, owned by the Ruddell family from 1891. The Annual Revision records indicate that in 1911 the Ruddells leased part of that hotel (now 78 Main Street) to the Livingston family who continued to occupy the building until 1928, at which point the tenancy was taken over by Catheine Anthony. The premises at this stage were being valued as a house, outbuildings and a yard.

According to the R.V.Binders Valuations 1933-57, the house was old but in good repair. A valuer notes the following situation on the 12.4.37 “Catherine Anthony – supports two orphan children – no income. Old type terrace house on main road (no front garden) with access to back through covered way at side. Contains wide hall, good front R(reception) with modern tiled grate, Large back K(kitchen) with ‘modern mistress’ stove from sc. Lean to CI roof, no sink- down 2 good Bs(bedrooms) (old type grates) and small cupbd over hall on first floor. Two attic rooms in delap condition and unusable. Water supply from street fountain. No gas or EL electricity). Small enclosed yard and range of offices in common yard, used for keeping pigs at rear.”

There is still evidence of the partial survival of some of the lean-to outbuildings to the rear, however much of the character of the original house and the outbuildings has been lost over the years due to alterations to both the internal and external fabric. Its use at the time of survey in 2010 was a bookmakers.

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 – Field Maps: 1863-79
7. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13C – Field Maps: 1895-14
8. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13E – Field Maps: 1925-35
9. PRONI VAL/12E/109/1 – Town Map: 1906-35
9. PRONI OS/6/3/13 – OS Map: 1833
10. PRONI OS/6/3/13 – OS Map: 1858
11. PRONI OS/6/3/13 – OS Map: 1903
12. PRONI OS/6/3/13 – OS Map: 1916
13. PRONI VAL/3D/4/12F/4 – R.V.Binders: 1933-57
14. PRONI VAL/14A/183/12 – 3rd General Revision Lists: 1975
15. PRONI VAL/14B/256/11A - 3rd General Revision Lists: 1976 – 1987
16. PRONI VAL/14C/248 - 3rd General Revision Lists: 1987 – 1993

References – Secondary sources

17. Canon CRJ Rudd “Moira: A Historical Handbook” - Plantation Press Lisburn 674530 and Moira 619759, c.1995
18. “Moira Rural District: The Offical Guide” - Campaign Publicity Ltd, Undated

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A two-storey Georgian townhouse erected c1735, as part of the early development of Moira, with later improvements during early 19th century. The building retains its early 19th century proprtions and style and is centrally located on Main Street, Moira, in close proximity to a number of other historic buildings, including the old courthouse (HB19/22/004) . Despite replacement of much original external fabric and loss of most internal fabric, the building has group vlaue with the attached townhouse at no. 76 Mian Street (HB19/22/19A) and makes a positive contribution to the historic value of the town.

General comments

Please note this record has been renumbered from HB19/22/019