The Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached three-bay single-storey Italianate gatelodge, built c.1865, to designs by Thomas Jackson, located to the west entrance of Seapark House (HB22/07/011A). Rectangular-on-plan; flat-roofed single-storey link block to extension (currently under construction 2009).

Roof is hipped natural slate; blue/black clay ridge tiles; deep overhanging eaves with panelled soffit supported on scrolled modillion brackets; single rendered chimney with recessed panels and bracketed cornice; replacement clay pots. Rendered walls have horizontal banded rustication over moulded plinth; diamond-pointed rusticated quoins. Windows are replacement round-arched-headed timber-framed 2/2 sliding-sash flanked by pilasters with dentilled impost surmounted by moulded archivolt with keyblock; moulded sills over panelled aprons.

Principal elevation faces north; central bay contains replacement square-headed four panelled timber entrance door flanked by pilasters; abutted by portico supported by two Ionic columns each flanked to outer side by square Tuscan pier. Outer bays each contain single window.

East elevation contains central pair of windows; central shared pilaster.

South elevation is abutted by extension; exposed section is blank.

West elevation contains central pair of windows; central shared pilaster.

Set to the west entrance of Seapark estate; bound to Shore Road by roughly coursed walling and accessed through pair of original cast-iron gates supported on pair of square pillars with rubble crenellations. To north, estate boundary wall consists of smooth rendered plinth wall surmounted by cast-iron railing with pair of recent cast-iron gates supported on square pillars with banded rustication and concrete caping. Belfast Lough to East.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Smooth render with horizontal banded rustication
Windows Round-arched-headed timber framed 2/2 sliding sash
RWG Cast-iron half-round gutters and round downpipes

Historical information

Gate Lodge built c.1865 by Thomas Jackson to replace a previous lodge for the early nineteenth century Seapark House. Built for Thomas Greer, who also employed Jackson to remodel Seapark House (HB22/07/011A). The 1832 and 1857 OS maps show previous lodges for the house.

The Townland Valuation of 1836 records the occupier of Seapark as the Rev. John Cheyne, later revised to John Owden. A lodge is included in the valuation and is valued at £1.13s.

John Owden continues to be the occupier in Griffith’s Valuation of 1859 when a gardener’s house/office (lodge) valued at £2 is recorded.

Valuation Revisions of 1929 show the occupier of the gate lodge as William Murphy, and the valuation as £4.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI D/1954/6/13 -Map of Carrickfergus from James O Kane’s Survey 1821.
2. PRONI OS/6/1/52/1 -First Edition OS Map (1832)
3. PRONI OS/6/1/52/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1857)
4. PRONI OS/6/1/52/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1901-2)
5. PRONI VAL/1/A/52A -Townland Valuation Map
6. PRONI VAL/1/B/187 -Townland Valuation Fieldbook
7. PRONI VAL/2/A/1/52A -Griffith’s Valuation Map
8. PRONI VAL/2/B/22A -Griffith’s Valuation Fieldbook (1859)
9. PRONI VAL/12/B/7/5A-F -Valuation Revisions (1861-1894)

Secondary Sources

1. Dean, J.A.K. 'The Gatelodges of Ulster.' Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1994.
2. Irish Architectural Archive. ‘Dictionary of Irish Architects’ [Internet source] Available from:
(Accessed 20/05/09)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A detached three-bay single-storey Italianate gatelodge, built c.1865, to designs by Thomas Jackson, located to the east entrance of Seapark estate. The lodge is very finely detailed including panelled soffits to eaves and moulded window surrounds. The gate lodge remains a fitting entrance to the main house and has group value with the other listed buildings and structures on the estate.

General comments

This record has been renumbered as part of a group - previously HB22/07/010.