The Cockle House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A grotto or cave-like covered shelter created by excavation in the side of a small hillock above the river bank, with arched openings on the front and rear faces leading into an oval domically-roofed chamber. The main entrance faces westwards, down-river.

Bowed front wall of random rubble basalt partly buttressed to the base. Splayed sides to approach, with basalt rubble revetments. Twin entrance openings, Gothic arched, with new red brick voussoirs; jambs to outer face are of basalt rubble.

Humped top of compacted earth with grass and other vegetation growing on it, bordered by mature trees whose roots form part of the covering. Roof covering at front sits on a course of projecting slates. A small hole or opening in the roof covering is an outlet from the flue of a small fireplace inside.

The rear elevation, facing up-river, is of similar rubble basalt construction with a splayed approach to a central entrance bay containing a single segmental arched opening; new red brick voussoirs as previous; jambs rendered with wet dash of small crushed stones. Humped roof covering as to main entrance front except no slate course at wall head. Ground covering immediately to the front and to the rear is compacted earth.

The openings at front lead into a single chamber of oval plan with an oval domical vaulted ceiling of what appears to be brickwork roughly rendered. Floor of stone cobbles; walls rendered with wet dash of small crushed stones. To north end is a square recess at an intermediate height in the wall: smooth cement rendered reveals and back. Facing it, to the south end, at ground level is a small square recess with red brick reveals, which appears to be a crude fireplace with a flue hole opening in the humped earthen roof.

Deep splayed reveals to twin openings at front, rendered with wet dash of small stone chippings. At the rear the main oval chamber opens up into a wide segmental arched recess which narrows at the exterior to a small opening leading on to a small natural terrace overlooking a weir and waterfall, bordered by a modern horizontal timber fence at the edge of a precipice.

SETTING: The structure stands in an elevated position on the north bank of the Crumlin River. It is approached by concrete steps down from a pathway above, and up concrete steps from the riverside walk below. Concrete steps above are bounded by modern tubular steel railings, and those below by modern horizontal timber fencing. The immediate environs of the structure are densely vegetated with trees.

Historical information

Built apparently as a covered shelter, summer house, or grotto-like belvedere overlooking a waterfall on the Crumlin River, as part of the development of the Glendaragh estate; date of building not recorded but it probably dates from the early 19th century when it was customary for picnic parties to enjoy walks along the banks of the river in this vicinity. It appears to have been built in the tradition of follies and garden features of the ‘Picturesque’ movement of the time, although it could date from as late as the mid-19th century. It is not shown or marked on the first or second OS maps or named on the most recent map. A popular belief that it was built as a chapel by the landlord for a Muslim servant and that it is orientated towards Mecca appears to have no real substance or foundation. The origin of the name ‘The Cockle House’ as applied to this structure is not known. The glen in which it stands was sold by the Aldworth family of Glendaragh to the present owners c 1960s.

References – Primary Sources
1. Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Vol 21: Parishes of County Antrim VII, 1832-8 (Belfast, 1993), p 64 (reference to pleasure walks in Glendaragh Glen).
2. Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, Vol 35: Parishes of County Antrim XIII, 1833, 1835, 1838 (Belfast, 1996), p 13 (reference as follows: “Along the banks [of the Crumlin water] are numerous delightful walks which are much frequented by picnic parties from Belfast and the neighbouring districts”.
Secondary Sources
1. E. Sandford, Discover Northern Ireland (N.I.T.B., Belfast, 1976), p 33 (includes a small sketch of the building in its original state).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

C. Ornamentation
E. Spatial Organisation
F. Structural System
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

This is an interesting example of a summer house or belvedere of rustic type in which natural features are merged with artificial in a manner typical of the ‘Picturesque’ movement of the late 18th to early 19th century. Its original character and quality has been diminished by inappropriate refurbishment.