Ivory Bar and Grill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Mid-Terraced four-bay two-storey rendered former house, built c.1735, facing north with incorporated carriage arch and single and two-storey rendered extensions, built c.2003.

Pitched natural slate roof, black clay ridge tiles, with rendered chimneystacks and terracotta pots. Ogee-moulded cast-iron guttering on drive-through iron brackets and cast-iron downpipe. Painted ruled-and-lined rendered walling. Square-headed window openings, painted masonry sills, with replacement tripartite timber sash windows having fluted mullions and fluted stepped frieze.

Four-bay front elevation with three-centred arched door opening, replacement flat-panelled timber door flanked by pair of fluted slender pilasters, timber tracery sidelights and further pair of pilasters, all supporting stepped lintel cornice with webbed fanlight above. Door opens onto granite step with wrought-iron bootscraper. Square-headed carriage arch with rounded corner having pair of vertically-sheeted timber doors and an octagonal wheel-guard stone.

East elevation abutted by adjoining house, number 61.

Rear elevation abutted by large single-storey flat-roofed extension to west and gable-ended two-storey rendered extension to east, running along vehicular access lane to carriage arch. A single square-headed window opening to the rear overlooks the flat-roofed extension with timber sash window, while a further diminutive window opening above the carriage arch has a single-pane timber sash window.

Paved rear yard with reinstated rubblestone wall having pair of redbrick door openings.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Ruled-and-lined render
RWG: Cast-iron
Windows: Replacement tripartite timber sash

Historical information

Built in the 18th century, it is possible to date the origins of this building as early as c.1735, erected during Moira's early development from agricultural buildings to stone and brick townhouses, credited to the Rawdon family who owned the Moira Demesne during this period. (Rudd) The internal features suggest late Georgian improvements c.1790.

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.

Griffith's Valuation (1864) values the premises as a house with outbuildings, however by 1870, when the tenancy was taken up by Joseph Cousins and the premises became a shop on the ground floor. Cousins remained in the property and in 1891 there was a further change of use to a public house. By 1908 the public house had been extended into the adjoining property number 61 and in 1909 the tenancy was taken up by a spirit dealer named John Bateman. (Annual Revisions)

By 1933 the public house had moved completely into the adjoining property, with number 59 functioning as a dwelling once more. The properties by this stage were valued as a single record with Bateman as landlord. Following the R.V.Binders valuation 1935 which recorded that the house was very old in bad repair, Bateman still appealed the first valuation with the following comments: “15.4.35; Valuation on hereditament other than agricultural hereditaments is excessive, inaccurate and unfair.” Following inspection the valuer responds: “The dwelling is old but in fair order, the rooms being large and fitted with electric lights… I propose that the valuation be reduced to £34”.

At the time of survey in 2010 the house had reverted back to serving the public as a restaurant. The restaurant was closed c. 2012.

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
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A mid-terrace four-bay two-storey former townhouse, originally built c.1735 with later improvements, incorporating a carriage arch with tripartite windows to the entire front elevation. Retaining much of its fabric externally and many eighteenth-century internal details such as original window linings with raised and fielded panels and original staircase, the buidling is a good example of its type. Despite modern extensions to the rear and some replacement windows to the front elevation, the building retains its essential character and is a valuable part of this early and varied historic terrace in the heart of Moira.