80 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey, four-bay mid terrace Georgian townhouse; rectangular plan form with two-storey rear extension, connected at ground floor only, originally built c.1735. Located on the north side of the principal thoroughfare through the town of Moira, adjacent to number 78 and 82 Main Street.

The roofing is pitched artificial slate with a clipped verge to the right gable end and a rendered chimney stack with a pair of small clay pots over. uPVC rainwater goods throughout. The walling is painted roughcast render with smooth render surrounds, plinth, quoins and banding. The windows are single glazed tripartite windows with 4/4 sliding sash flanked by a pair of 2/2 sash, with large stone cills, painted to match walling. The front entrance door is a six-panelled timber door with a half circle fanlight over, set into an arched opening with matching surrounds.

The principal elevation faces south and is asymmetrically arranged with the front door located at the left of centre bay. A single tripartite window is located left of the front entrance with four matching windows located across the first floor. A large elliptical opening, formerly a large Georgian door with side panels and fanlight over, is located to the right of the front door. A single large pane of glass now occupies the opening. An elliptical coach entrance with modern gates is located in the far right bay providing access to the rear of the building.

The left gable abuts number 78 Main Street, Moira.

The north facing rear elevation is asymmetrically arranged with various sized windows. All windows have been replaced with double glazed uPVC. On the right hand side a two-storey random rubble outbuilding abuts the principal building at ground floor only. It is however only partially remaining and in poor repair.

The right gable abuts number 82 Main Street, Moira.

The building faces directly on to the principal road through Moira with direct entrance off the foot path. Access through the carriageway leads into a rear yard is of little interest.

Roofing Artificial slate
Walling Roughcast render with smooth surrounds
Windows 4/4 tripartite sliding sash
RWG uPVC

Historical information

Built as part of a Georgian terrace originally dating from c.1735, during the period of early development in Moira, credited with the Rawdon family.(Rudd) A date stone, located close to number 80 on a neighbouring building is inscribed with the 1735, which is reputed to be the date that the village was completed.

The building appears on the 1833 first edition OS maps as part of a long line of terrace lining the northern side of the main thoroughfare through the village.

The Annual Revisions note several occupiers from the mid-19th century until Thomas Ruddell, who was previously a tenant, became landlord of the property in 1893 (most likely to be collecting it on behalf of Lord Deramore who owned the Moira Demesne.) It is possible that it is the same Ruddells who occupied the hotel located at number 76 Main Street at the same time and also the same family who would convert the old market house to “Ruddells Garage” in the late 1920’s.

The R.V.Binders valuations 1933-57 indicate that development had undergone within the premises, as it was now functioning as a shop and noted as being of “Fair Repair Fitted with electric lights.” The tenants at which time were the McCleery family with Lord Deramore as the landlord.

The property has since survived as a commercial premises, however at the time of survey in 2010 had lost much of its internal character and fabric, particularly to the ground floor.

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.1992

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A two-storey four-bay Georgian townhouse, originally built c.1735, representing the early development of the town of Moira, with improvements during early 19th century. Distinguished by its large tripartite 'Wyatt' windows, the external appearance of this building adds to the historic integrity of the terraces which line the street. Although alteration of the interior, replacement of the rear windows and original Georgian front door have impacted on the character of this building, is still retains its early 19th century style and proportions and some fine internal features, including an 18th century staircase. Set within the centre of Moira, the building makes a positive contribution to the architectural heritage of the village, along with the other historic buildings on the street, including nos. 76-78 Main Street (HB19/22/19A-B), directly adjacent and the old courthouse (HB19/22/004), opposite.