65 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Terraced four-bay three-storey rendered former townhouse, built c.1735. Facing north with incorporated carriage arch to the east bay, abutted to the rear by two-storey return forming a T-plan. Two-storey rendered building to rear, built c.2008, connected to rear return by flat-roofed glazed wing. Extensively renovated and restored c.2008, converted to guesthouse.

Pitched natural slate roof, terracotta ridge tiles and pair of rendered chimneystacks. Cast-iron guttering supported on iron drive-through brackets with cast-iron hopper and downpipe. Painted rough-cast rendered walling. Square-headed window openings, smooth render surrounds, painted masonry sills and timber sash windows.

Four-bay three-storey front elevation with elliptical-headed carriage arch opening to the east bay having vertically-sheeted timber doors and brick-lined walls. Round-headed door opening door opening with replacement timber panelled door flanked by pair of semi-engaged fluted Doric columns on plinth blocks supporting stepped lintel architrave and moulded archivolt with keystone and peacock fanlight. The window openings over the door and the carriage arch are original 6/6 timber sash and 3/3 to second floor. All remaining window openings are tripartite with 4/4 to the centre flanked by 2/2 sashes all flanked by fluted mullions and fluted stepped frieze above. 2/2 to second floor flanked by 1/1 sashes. All windows have no horns and contain cylinder glass.

East elevation abutted by adjoining house.

Four-bay three-storey rendered rear elevation abutted by gable-ended two-storey rendered return. Pitched natural slate roof to return with tall rendered chimneystack to rear gable. Replacement timber sash windows to rear and return.

West elevation abutted by adjoining house (HB19/22/038), with the gable rising slightly higher.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Rough-cast render
Windows Original timber sash
RWG Cast-iron

Historical information

Erected in the 18th century, it is possible to date the origins of this building as early as c.1735 during the town’s early development from, credited to the Rawdon family who owned the Moira Demesne during this period. (Rudd) Although it would appear that later remodelling c.1770 was carried out to the external fabric and internal plaster and joinery work.

Brett describes it as “the last Georgian house in the excellent main street of Moira to remain completely unspoilt, without the slightest fascia, nameplate or shop sign and one to remain as a private dwelling.”

It would appear that the Georgian building has remained as a dwelling throughout its history. The earliest OS maps from 1833 show the dwelling with large formal gardens to the rear, as with most of the dwellings at the time. Brett refers to Kertlands comments in the 1830’s “size of the houses very irregular, some thatched and some slated, some very low and some very high; streets and houses very dirty. The town is built of balsalt or limestone, no brick houses.” (Brett)

It is understood that this was the birth place of Anne Lutton in the late 18th century. Ms Lutton is credited to bring Methodism to the town of Moira and author of the book, “A consecrated life” written just before her death in 1881. (Rudd) There is no record of her having actually lived in the house. The Annual Revision valuations 1866-29 records John Murphy as the tenant until 1882. After a short stay by Rev John Dickson, John Irwin took up the tenancy in 1890 and remained there until the 1950’s.

The R.V.Binders valuation 1933-57 records the building as having kitchen, scullery, pantry 2 receptions and 3 bedrooms. Following an appeal of the valuation being to high, the inspectors report notes: “Inspection 17.6.35 – this is an old house with out offices (buildings). The outbuildings in the yard, I closely inspected and they are definitely agricultural buildings. They are only fair with the exception of […] a good piggery.”

The dwelling has continued in its domestic capacity, and at time of survey 2010 was functioning as a guest house.

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
15. CEB Brett – “Buildings of County Antrim” 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

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

This four-bay three-storey rendered house built c.1735, displays good Georgian style and proportions and retains its residential appearance. On the exterior the early 19th century 'Wyatt' style windows are intact and display fine original detailing and there is an original simple vernacular style timber staircase, original roof structure and timber panelled window linings in the interior. Converted into a guest house by the current owner in 2008, the building also has historical connections to the Author, Ms Lutton, credited to have brought Methodism to Moira. The building, along with 63 Main St. adjacent (HB19/22/038), is part of an important group set back from the main road in the centre of the village and makes a significant contribution to the heritage of Moira.