2 Lorne Cottages

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A one-and-a-half storey two bay, mid-terrace cottage, built 1875 as part of the Lorne estate (HB 23/16/002A); located at the south entrance to Lorne House. Square-on-plan with projecting porch and return to rear.

Steeply pitched natural slate roof with overhanging eaves; central band of fish-scale tiles; terracotta ridge tiles. Square chimney stacks having sandstone quoins, offset and plinth; topped by four terracotta pots. Half-round, cast-iron rainwater goods. Walling is yellow brick over projecting ashlar plinth. Windows to ground floor are 2/2 and 3/3 timber-framed sliding sash with horns; sandstone ashlar surrounds with lintel set under brick segmental arch and chamfered sill. Dormer window is 2/2 pointed head timber-framed with lower panes on hinges.

The principal elevation faces east. Central projecting porch accessed by brick and stone step comprising pointed arch entrance with sandstone ashlar quoins and surround; date-stone with ‘1875’ moulding; decorative bargeboard and finial. Door is herringbone sheeted timber with brass furniture; pointed arch transom light. To right; 3/3 sliding sash window; to left; 2/2 sliding sash window and dormer window above; dormer with decorative bargeboard and finial.

South elevation is abutted by adjoining building (HB23/16/023A).

Rear west elevation entirely abutted at ground floor by extension. To top floor; two dormer windows (left is gabled) with decorative bargeboard and finial. At ground floor there is a raised stone patio extending the length of the terrace, accessed by central five stone steps; projecting canopy supported on cast-iron columns; modern half-panelled timber door accessed by two stone steps.

North elevation is abutted by adjoining building (HB23/16/023C)

Setting

Set in leafy surroundings, the terrace is separated from the small road leading to Lorne House by a rock-faced ashlar wall with coping and piers; decorative modern cast-iron railing with fleur-de-lis detail. Front of property is pebbled. To rear there is a communal garden with hedgerow.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: brick
Windows: timber
RWG: cast-iron.

Historical information

The cottages were built by Henry Campbell in 1875, near the entrance gates to his mansion ‘Lorne’. Campbell had recently built the house, in 1865, and it would appear that these cottages were built as accommodation for his more favoured estate workers. Lorne House was built to designs by John Boyd and it is possible that the same architect was used for the cottages.

Campbell was a partner and director of the Mossley Mills, linen thread manufacturers and Messrs Gunning and Campbell, flax spinners of North Howard Street. Campbell retired from business life in 1873 and set about building a house for himself and his sisters on land leased from Sir Robert Kennedy. The house was named ‘Lorne’ after the traditional home of the Clan Campbell in Scotland. On his death he left an endowment of £200,000 to found Campbell College at Belmont. (Auld, p.61)

The cottages are dated 1875 and first appear in the valuation records in 1876. All three are listed as ‘house and yard’ and valued at £8. In 1876 they are all vacant indicating that they have been newly built. Subsequent years see many changes of occupier, consistent with the houses being used as tied accommodation. The landlord is always the occupier of Lorne House; by 1900 Alexander Mateer; Henry C Craig by 1906 and James Gamble by 1914. No changes in valuation are noted in the period up to 1930.

References:

Primary Sources

1.PRONI OS/6/3/1/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-02
2.PRONI OS/6/3/1/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-31
3.PRONI OS/6/3/1/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1938-41
4.PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
5.PRONI VAL/12/B/17/11A-C – Annual Revisions (1888-1930)

Secondary Sources

1.Auld, C.”Forgotten Houses of Holywood, Co Down” Holywood: Con Auld, 2003

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
V. Authorship

Evaluation

A picturesque mid-terrace, one-and-a-half storey, two-bay, cottage lodge, built 1875. The design and the quality of the detailing is superior and it is a fine example of the type. Although retaining much of its external architectural features, little of the internal detailing has survived. However, with the original boundary wall, the terrace forms an important group in itself and with Lorne (HB23/16/002A).

General comments

Please note this record has been renumbered previously HB23/16/023