57 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

End of terrace two-bay two-storey rendered former house, built c.1735, square-on-plan, facing north with double-height outbuilding attached to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof, black clay ridge tiles, cement verge to east gable with rendered chimneystack to either end with terracotta pots. Ogee-moulded cast-iron guttering on drive-through iron brackets and cast-iron downpipe. Painted ruled-and-lined rendered walling with rusticated rendered quoins. Square-headed window openings, timber sash windows and painted masonry sills.

Two-bay front elevation with tripartite timber sash windows to the right bay with fluted mullions. Further 6/6 timber sash window to left bay with elliptical-headed door opening below having replacement double-leaf timber panelled door and spoked timber fanlight. Painted timber fascia over ground floor window. Octagonal painted stone wheel guard to corner of front elevation and west gable.
East elevation abutted by adjoining house, number 59 (HB19/22/37B).

Rear elevation abutted by lean-to structure. Double-height rubble stone former outbuilding attached to rear with pitched natural slate roof, plastic rainwater goods.

Blank ruled-and-lined rendered west gable fronting onto rear access lane.

Enclosed yard to rear shared with no. 59 Main st. (HB19/22/37B) enclosed in rubble-stone yard walling. Grassed wasteland further south formerly large formal rear garden; now accessible from laneway adjacent no. 57 Main Street.

Roof Natural slate
RWG Cast-iron
Walling Ruled-and-lined render
Windows Timber sash

Historical information

Built in the 18th century, it is possible to date this building as early as c.1735, erected during the town’s early development from largely agricultural buildings to Georgian stone and brick townhouses, credited to the Rawdon family who owned the Moira Demesne during this period. (Rudd) A date stone inscribed with 1735, located on a neighbouring building, is widely accepted to indicate the completion of the Georgian village. The lack of any historic interiors give little indication to any later improvements or remodelling.

The building appears on the 1833 OS maps, as part of the terraces lining Moira Main Street. The early maps also indicate large formal garden to the rear, a common feature in Moira at the time, however by the 1858 OS map all of these appear to have gone.

The Griffiths Valuation 1864 notes the tenancy as a “Dispencary” (Dispensary), likely to have been the medical dispensary to the adjacent Police Station. The building continued this service until it was recorded as being vacant in 1868 at which point returned to function as a house. The house went through various tenants and in 1884 became vacant again, owing to bad repair, made apparent with a drop in value from £5 to £3. The building remained vacant for about 6 years, before the tenancy was taken up first by the McKinley family in 1893, and quickly followed by the Hendry family in 1903, however the house continued to decline in value and dropped to £2.5.0 and then a further £1.1.0 in 1929. The tenancy was eventually taken up by John Bateman, who was also the occupier of the adjoining public house (Annual Revisions 1866-29). The R.V.Binders 1933-57 indicated that property was now operating as a shop and commented: “House in bad repair. Upper floor not used”.

Having recently functioned as an off-licence the property was restored and converted to a cafe in 2011.

References – Primary sources

1. PRONI VAL/1B/347 – Townland Valuation 1828-40
2. PRONI VAL/1A/3/13 – Field Map c.1830
3. PRONI VAL/2B/3/47A – Griffiths Valuation 1864
4. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7A – Annual Revisions 1866-78
5. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7B – Annual Revisions 1878-93
6. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7C – Annual Revisions 1894-08
7. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7D – Annual Revisions 1909-20
8. PRONI VAL/12B/21/7E – Annual Revisions 1920-29
9. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13A – Field Map 1863-79
10. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13C – Field Map 1895-14
11. PRONI VAL/12D/3/13E – Field Map 1925-35
12. PRONI VAL/12E – Field Map 1906-35
13. PRONI VAL/3D/4/12F/3 – R.V. Binders 1933-57

References – Secondary sources

14. Rudd, Canon CRJ - “Moira – A Historical Handbook” - Plantation Press Lisburn 674530 and Moira 619759 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

R. Age
S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A modest two-bay two-storey end of terrace former house, originally built c.1735 with later improvements, retaining original composition and most original fabric externally, such as natural slate roof and timber sash windows. Despite having lost its interior layout and details due to a series of refurbishments, the retention of the external appearance, including its decorative tripartite sash windows, adds to its overall importance at the termination of the historic terrace. Formerly the dispensary for the local Police station it has retained its essential character and makes a positive contribution to the historic character of Moira.