St Catherine's, 12 Red Brae Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim BT38 9DG

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached symmetrical three-bay two-and-a-half-storey Northern Bank, built c.1910, located to the north side of Main Street, Beragh. Rectangular-on-plan with two-and-a-half-storey return to rear abutted by three-storey extension with flat roof; two-storey and single-storey lean-to extensions to re-entrant angle.

Roof is pitched natural slate, raised masonry verges, ogee profile cast-iron rainwater goods supported on corbel course, cast-iron rainwater hoppers; two flat roof dormers to south pitch with timber casement windows. Walls are ruled-and-lined rendered with painted projecting moulded plinth. Windows are 1/1 timber sliding sashes contained within plain surrounds and continuous cill course. (All ground floor windows with the exception of those at south are enclosed by cast-iron railings).

Principal elevation faces south; central entrance door flanked by two windows at each side; five windows at first floor. Entrance comprises original single-leaf six-panelled timber door with round-arched-headed fanlight over, contained within deep moulded architrave and flanked by pilasters supporting a entrance canopy fronted by two Tuscan order columns. Brass signage panel located to centre of door reads; ‘NORTHERN BANK LIMITED’ and contains letter box. Brass door bell and knocker intact.

Left (west) gable contains projecting stepped chimney breast containing window at ground floor; exposed section at left contains three windows, one at each floor (that at ground and attic level diminished in size).

Rear (north) elevation is abutted off-centre at left by two-and-a-half-storey (slightly-lower) return. Exposed section at left contains a window at ground and first floor; exposed section at right is abutted by two-storey lean-two extension with felted roof. Both the right corner of the main block and the two-storey lean-to extension have corbelled corners at first floor level, over the entrance to the rear yard.

Two-and-a-half-storey return is detailed as main block; north gable is abutted by (lower) three storey extension, exposed section contains a window at echo floor. Left cheek is blank; right cheek contains single window at first floor.

Two-storey lean-to extension is detailed as main block; north elevation is abutted at ground floor by end of single-storey lean-to extension, exposed section at right contains single window; two windows at first floor (right, diminished). Right cheek is blank.

Single-storey lean-to extension is detailed as main block; single window at each face.

Three-storey extension with flat roof has red brick walling and timber casement windows throughout. Of no architectural or historic interest.

The rear of the bank is enclosed at south-west corner by replacement metal gates. Bound at north and south by brick walling and adjacent buildings.

Setting

Set in Beragh on the north side of Main Street; bounded to road by original wrought-iron railings on plinth wall. Access at centre via similarly detailed cast-iron gates.

Roof Natural Slate
Walling render
Windows timber
RWG cast-iron

Historical information

The Northern Bank was built in 1912 and appears to have undergone little alteration since.

The building is inserted into Annual Revision records in 1913, replacing three houses previously on the site. It is occupied by the ‘Northern Banking Co. Ltd.’ and is leased from the Earl of Belmore. It is a bank house, offices, yard and garden valued at £40 for the buildings and 15s for land.

An announcement was made in the Irish Builder of 23rd December 1911 that the tender of Messrs Henry Laverty and Sons Ltd. of Belfast had been accepted for the building of new branch premises for the Northern Banking Co. Ltd., according to plans and specifications prepared by Mr Godfrey W. Ferguson, architect, of Royal Avenue, Belfast.

After 1934 the Northern Bank Ltd are the owners in fee and the valuation is raised to £50 (undated changes). The buildings comprises a kitchen and one room and four bedrooms, a reception, bath and W.C. upstairs, with a further attic bedroom. The building is of brick and slate. A plan and dimensions are given showing a public office and strong room.

References:

Primary Sources

PRONI OS/6/6/44/3 – Third Edition OS Map (1906-7)
PRONI OS/6/6/44/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map (1935)
PRONI VAL/12/B/41/4A-F – Annual Revision Records (1860-1924)
PRONI VAL/3/D/7/8C/1 – First NI General Revaluation: Valuers’ RV Binder (1933-57)
Irish Builder, Vol. 53, 23rd December 1911, p.850

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Detached symmetrical three-bay two-and-a-half storey Northern Bank built c. 1910; located to the north side of Main Street, Beragh. The scale, form and proportions emphasise its relative importance in the street. Although of some local significance, it is a common type of a late date and not one of the best examples of the type.