Holywell House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 2-storey red brick late Victorian house of asymmetrical layout designed in a plain Queen Anne style.

Hipped roofs of green slates with serrated terracotta ridge tiles; terracotta finials; panelled chimneys.
Elliptically arched window openings containing modern rectangular PVC fixed lights and top-hung vents, replacements for original timber sashed windows. Moulded cast iron gutters with rectangular cast iron downpipes.

Main entrance is in a gabled porch on the west side; looks like original entrance area has been altered, with removal of a previous porch or conservatory and patching of brickwork walling, with addition of a modern concrete ramp to the front door. Projecting moulded brick stringcourse at ground floor cill level now cut short to each side of entrance area.

SETTING: The building stands on its own within the grounds of a large hospital separated from the main complex by a tarmac road. It is approached by a tarmac driveway and is surrounded by lawns with mature shrubs and trees.

Historical information

Designed by the architect John Lanyon as a residence for the Medical Superintendent of the County Antrim Lunatic Asylum at Holywell which was built in 1894-9; ceased to be used as a residence for the medical superintendent in 1967 and became a Nurses Training School; now used as offices.

References – Primary Sources
1. Photographs in possession of Holywell Hospital.
2. OS Map 1902, Co Antrim 50.
Secondary Sources
1. M. Mulholland, To Comfort Always: A History of Holywell Hospital 1898-1998 (Ballymena, 1998).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This is a late 19th century building by a prominent Irish architect designed in association with a large hospital complex of some architectural interest, but it does not form part of the overall architectural composition of the main complex and has lost a number of its original features.