Boathouse

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached boathouse, built c.1800, located on Seapark estate to south-east of Seapark House (HB22/07/011A). Rectangular-on-plan; recessed within a rocky outcroft and covered by grassy banks, west of Seapark Bathing House (HB22/07/011C.)

Roof is covered by grass, revealing only a little of the supporting structure to the south; Walls are roughly coursed rubble.

Principal symmetrical (shore-facing) entrance contains two segmental-headed arches with stone voussoirs and cast-metal gates; round-headed opening to centre above supporting pier with brick surround, replacement masonry cill and vertical support.

Enclosed to all other sides by grass bank and roughly coursed rubble retaining wall.

Set within Seapark estate on rocky outcroft to east in Belfast Lough; bathing house (HB22/07/011C) immediately to south-east.

Roof Grass banks
Walling Roughly coursed rubble
Windows N/A
RWG N/A

Historical information

The ‘boathouse’ is first captioned on the third edition OS map of 1902 but does not appear in the Valuation Revisions for Sea Park itself. Sea Park House was built in the early 19th century. The occupier is first recorded in the Townland Valuations as the Rev. John Cheyne, later revised to John Owden.

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 (1836)
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)
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/7/6A-D –Valuation Revisions (1894-1929

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A detached boathouse, built c.1800, located on Seapark estate to south-east of Seapark House (HB22/07/011A). The boathouse displays well detailed stonework and contributes positively to the landscape of this seafront estate. The bathing house as well as being of rarity value has group value with the other listed buildings and structures on the estate; gatelodge (HB22/07/011B) and bathing house (HB22/07/011C).

General comments

This record has been renumbered as part of a group - previously HB22/07/012.