Outbuildings at Edenderry House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single-storey four-bay gardeners cottage built c.1730, during the same period as the principal adjacent dwelling (HB19/23/019A). Rectangular in plan form abutted by L-shaped 1 ½ storey outbuildings to the rear. Located at the end of a very long drive way off the Ballylesson Road, south west of the ‘The Giants Ring’ (Dow 009:036) and to the west of Drumbo Parish Church.

Pitched natural slate roof with clay ridge tiles over; rear pitch to outbuildings partially covered by corrugated translucent plastic sheeting. uPVC rainwater goods throughout. Smooth render chimneystacks rising to cornice cap with octagonal clay pots. Walling rough-cast over rubble masonry with brick courses and surrounds. Windows 3/6 timber sliding sash. Windows to out buildings, timber round-headed openings with fan light incorporated into upper sash with interlacing tracery; lower sash infilled and rendered; stone cill in original position although detached. Doors round heads with fixed fanlight over; matching interlacing tracery; timber sheeted door.

The principal elevation faces north and is asymmetrically arranged with the front entrance located left of centre, flanked by sash windows. To the right is secondary access (seam line visible) in the form of a square-headed door with adjoining 2/2 sash window. Two chimneystacks, one over gable apex and one located on the ridge line left of the front door.

The left gable has clipped verge. No openings.

The rear elevation is blank with 1 ½ storey outbuilding abutting the left hand bay, projecting southwards.

The right elevation is a lean-to gable end adjoining the outbuilding to the right hand side. Window opening centrally located, timber casement in bad repair. The remains of a wall projects from the right side of the gable.

The abutting outbuildings are two adjoining rectangular buildings, arranged in an L-shape with the central block facing east onto the forecourt and the southern block facing south overlooking the rural landscape. The central block has a square headed modern opening flanked by altered round headed windows. To the left is the gable end of the southern block with a door located right of centre and centrally located opening above; the rear elevation has exposed low level rubble masonry with English garden-wall bond brick courses above; various openings differing in style and size all in bad repair. The rear elevation of the central block made from earlier handmade bricks laid in Flemish bond with header corbel courses at eaves level; various openings.

Setting

The dwelling is situated at the end of a long driveway of the Ballylesson Road adjacent to principal dwelling. 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. A small private burial ground present in the fore court, adjoining cottage is enclosed by fine cast iron railings.

Roofing Natural slate/corrugated plastic
Walling Random masonry/brick/roughcast render
Window Timber sash/fixed round headed
RWG uPVC

Historical information

The first edition OS map 1834 shows the foot print of the outbuildings much as they appear today, however field evidence suggests that the southern block was erected later, or at least was remodelled, due to the use of a later brick type. The central block with earlier handmade brick forms the upper courses of a stone wall, which according to the present owner, may have once formed part of a walled garden.

Valuations of these buildings were included as part of the value of the principal house, (HB19/23/019A); no separate account was given.

Built 1734 (Rankin p.29) by James Beers as part of the outbuildings and workers accommodation of the principal house. 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)

The current owner of the house informs that the last known resident in the cottage was Robert Waterworth who became gardener c.1920s until 1949. Since then the cottage has remained vacant.

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 Filed Map 1830
7. PRONI VAL/2B/3/25B – GriffithsValuation 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
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A single-storey dwelling with abutting outbuildings to the rear built c.1740 at the same time as the principal dwelling. The overall scale and proportions of the buildings have changed little since they were constructed, although their condition has deteriorated. The adjoining outbuildings are kept in agricultural and storage use. The buildings were erected as a single design along with the main house creating a partially enclosed courtyard, and they have group value with the house ,also listed HB19.23.019A. Both the house and these buildings enjoy an unspoiled setting.

General comments

Drumbeg Area of Village Character