Edenderry House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A symmetrical two-storey, three-bay Georgian country house built c.1734, L-shaped plan form with additional single-storey rear returns, conjoining with outbuildings to form a courtyard with origins dating as early as c.1650. Located at the end of a long drive way off the Ballylesson Road, south west of the ancient monument ‘The Giants Ring’ (DOW009:036) and to the west of Drumbo Parish Church.

Pitched natural slate roof with clay ridge tiles; gable ended with clipped verge; leaded ridge over bay extension; cast-iron rainwater goods, semi circular cast-iron guttering fixed to plain corbelled eaves with circular down pipes on front building, with ogee moulded gutter to single-storey rear. Simple chimneystacks located on main block at gable apex at either side with five plain clay pots. Smaller chimneystacks located on the rear buildings with moulded cornice details and pairs of tall octagonal pots. Slate and tile repairs to roof. Walling is ruled-and-lined rendered; natural finish. Windows are primarily timber sliding sash with stone cills with varying fenestration patterns and detailing throughout. Timber doors with moulded stone architrave, painted white.

The principal elevation faces south and is symmetrically arranged. Centrally located two-storey canted bay with double glazed doors at ground floor with 12-paned fixed light over; flanked by full length 9/4 sliding sash with horns. At first floor over continuous cill course, 3/6 sliding sash with horns, flanked by a pair of 2/4 sliding sash. Side bays have Georgian 6/6 sliding sash at ground floor with 3/6 sliding sash above; no horns.

The left gable has no openings.

The north elevation abutted by a one-and-a-half storey L-shaped return to the right hand side projecting northwards. The west elevation is asymmetrically arranged with the principal entrance to the building located on the right hand side. The front door is a wide Georgian 6-panel timber door, painted white, with cast-iron ironmongery and mould stone architraves. To the right is a Georgian 6/6 timber sliding box sash window, with a matching pair of windows to the left of the door. To the far left is a smaller 3/6 Georgian sliding box sash window. The chimneystack is located left of centre along the ridge line. A further subservient return, projecting eastwards from the far left bay, with a lower eaves and ridge level, forms part of the courtyard enclosure, with a pair of double doors installed replacing windows, as part of the Victorian alterations.

The north elevation of the return is primarily the gable end to the one-and-a-half storey return; asymmetrically arranged. Right of centre is a single-storey gabled porch, with modern timber door. The windows vary between timber side-hung and sliding sash and are of various sizes and proportions. The gable rises to projecting plain barge boards. To the left is a single storey lean-to shed, attached to the building via a wall with doorway. The east elevation is asymmetrically arranged with a timber door located left of centre; 3/6 sliding box sash window to left. To right are two matching windows. Modern roof lights located at far right over the attic. Evidence of the former three-storey rear accommodation exists.

The right gable has a single 3/6 Georgian sliding sash window located right of centre on the first floor. It is extended to the return by a large 18-paned half-circle arched opening, into the stairwell with a smaller 3/6 sliding box sash located below at ground floor level.

Setting:

The dwelling is situated at the end of a long driveway of the Ballylesson Road. On approach to the house is a modern dwelling located on the left hand side prior to reaching the courtyard enclosed by outbuildings. To the north of the site is woodland raising to the crest of a hill. The surrounding land is largely open fields bordered by vegetation, all forming part of the estate. Towards the east, the spire of the neighbouring Drumbo Parish Church can be seen.

Roofing Natural slate
Walling Ruled-and-lined render
Windows Georgian timber sash
RWG Cast-iron

Historical information

The first edition OS map 1834 shows the footprint of the building and outbuildings much as they are today although with additional accommodation to the rear. The building was valued at £23.3s in the Townland Valuations 1828-40. By the second edition OS map in 1858, it appears that much of the rear accommodation has been removed. Griffiths Valuation (1863), records the building as being occupied by Charles Dunlop in fee, and the value of the buildings increased to £25.

Rankin (p.29) suggests the house was built in 1734 by James Beers, and the house has remained in the same family through successive generations until the time of survey 2010. James Beers, son of William Beers, built the house when he came into ownership of the estate, however the current occupier states that the smaller single-storey rear accommodation dates from as early as 1650. Beers along with James Watson Hull are remembered as the Church Wardens responsible for the building of the new Drumbo Parish Church, on land donated by Beers free of charge. Beers, who gave instruction to be buried in the grave walk with ‘no mark to remain over’, bequeathed the estate to his nephew, Charles Dunlop c.1805. (Rankin p.29) Charles Dunlop died in 1884 leaving the estate to his son James Dunlop who subsequently died in 1905. Both deaths, amongst others, are recorded on headstones located in the family burial ground, located adjacent to the house.

The current occupier stated that a rear three-storey addition was built in c.1880 and accommodated 12 bedrooms although was later removed in 1984. Evidence of this can be seen in a water colour of the building in 1916. The two-storey canted bay to the front elevation was added in 1902 and still remains. Further alterations to the windows of the rear buildings, changing them to a pair of double glazed doors opening up into the courtyard, was also carried out during this period.

Reference – Primary Source

1. PRONI OS/6/1/9/1 – OS Map 1834
2. PRONI OS/6/1/9/2 – OS Map 1858
3. PRONI OS/6/1/9/3 – OS Map 1901
4. PRONI OS/6/1/9/7 – OS Map 1938
5. PRONI VAL/1B/326 – Annual Revision 1828-40
6. PRONI VAL/1A/3/9 – Annual Revision Field Map 1830
7. PRONI VAL/2B/3/25B – Griffith'sValuation 1856-1864
8. PRONI VAL/12B/20/11A-E – Annual Revisions 1865-1929
9. PRONI VAL/12B/20/12A – Annual Revisions 1923-30

Reference - Secondary Source

1. Rankin, J.F. “The Heritage of Drumbo” Parish of Drumbo,1982
2. Day, A. and P. McWilliams, eds. “Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Volume Seven, Parishes of County DownII, 1832-4, 1837” Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1991

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

Evaluation

A two-storey three-bay Georgian country house built c.1735 possibly with 17th century origins. Located at the end of a long driveway in a rural setting. This house has retained much of its original character and detailing. Later Victorian alterations contribute positively to the interest of the house. Internally the principal spaces have retained most of their plaster and joinery work, all of which is of particularly high quality. The outbuildings and former gargener's house forming the courtyard, also listed HB19.23.019B, which are of a similar date as the house add to the setting and have group value with the main house..

General comments

Drumbeg Area of Village Character
This record has been renumbered, it was previously recorded as HB19/23/019