Dovecote

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A freestanding late eighteenth-century double-height rubble stone dovecote, square-on-plan and located centrally within the stableyard at Clandeboye Estate. The dovecote has a hipped natural slate roof surmounted by a timber sheeted glover (lantern) with small round-headed aperture to each side. Brick eaves over brick dentil course. The upper stage is slightly corbelled over three stepped courses of brick. Walling is random rubble stone throughout with the exception of isolated patches of cement render at upper level.

Openings are round-headed with brick arches; those to ground floor open on east and west face only, forming a through-passage; first floor openings on east and west faces having timber sheeted doors with fixed tympanum; blind arches to north and south. Fixed lights under eaves.

Setting

The dovecote is set in the stable and coachyards (HB23/10/002B) at Clandeboye, which comprises a quadrilateral courtyard arrangement of single- and two-storey rubble stone outbuildings, including the Chapel (HB23/10/002D) and Gasworks (HB23/10/002E). The wider estate
setting is accessed via a long sweeping drive from the main Bangor road at north.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Rubble stone
RWG: None
Windows: None

Historical information

The Clandeboye Estate website states that the Dove Cote at the centre of the estate’s stableyard dates from the 18th century, which indicates that it dates from the period of the earlier Ballyleidy House which was replaced by the current Clandeboye House c. 1803. In his book on Clandeboye Rankin included an illustration of Ballyleidy House dating from the mid-18th century which did not depict the Dove Cote in the estate courtyard, suggesting that it was built in the late 18th century (Brett, p. 94; Rankin p. 34). The Dove Cote can first be seen on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map for the townland of Ballyleidy in 1833, located at the centre of the stable yard. There was no discernible alteration to the Dove Cote over the later editions of the Ordnance Survey maps.

In recent years the courtyard has been converted into the commercial centre of the Clandeboye Estate; the 18th century features of the courtyard including the Dove Cote, as well as the 19th century baronial gas works (HB23/10/002E), form a picturesque setting for wedding receptions as well as private and corporate events. Field inspection finds that restoration work to the Dove Cote is ongoing at the time of writing (Feb 2011).

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/2/1 – First Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1833
2. PRONI OS/6/3/2/2 – Second Edition Ordnance Survey map 1858
3. PRONI OS/6/3/2/3 – Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1901
4. PRONI OS/6/3/2/4 – Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1919-26
5. PRONI OS/6/3/2/5 – Fifth Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1939
6. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/1B – Griffith’s Valuation 1861
7. Ordnance Survey map 131-3 (1968)

Secondary Sources

1. Brett, C. E. B., ‘Buildings of North County Down’ Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 2002.
2. Rankin, P., ‘Clandeboye’ Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1985.

Online Resources

1. Clandeboye Estate website - http://www.clandeboye.co.uk/courtyard/

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

A freestanding double-height early nineteenth-century rubble stone dovecote, square-on-plan and located centrally within the stableyard at Clandeboye Estate. The dovecote retains much of its original aspect, and is characterised by simple materials and detailing. It represents a rare survival of the type; others are at Castlewellan (HB18/12/006) and Ballywalter (HB24/04/041). It has group value as part of the suite of buildings associated with Clandeboye House.

General comments

This record has been renumbered from HB23/10/004 as part of the Clandeboye Estate group.

This record was completed without access to original source material held by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

Within Clandeboye Local Landscape Policy Area BR24