3 Lorne Cottages

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

One-and-a half-storey two-bay, end-terrace cottage, built 1875 as part of the Lorne House estate (HB 23/16/002) and 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. Chimneystacks comprising sandstone quoins, offset and plinth; topped by three terracotta pots. Half-round, cast-iron rainwater goods. Walling is yellow brick over projecting ashlar plinth. Windows to ground floor are 2/2 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 north. Central projecting porch accessed by walled five stone steps at left side; porch comprising pointed arch entrance with sandstone ashlar quoins and surround; moulded plaque with profile of hogs head; decorative bargeboard and finial. Door is herringbone sheeted timber with brass furniture; pointed arch transom light. Porch is flanked by two 2/2 sliding sash windows; above to left is a skylight and to right, a dormer window with decorative bargeboard and finial. Walled steps abutted to right by walled flowerbed.

West elevation is abutted by flat roof extension containing two timber-framed oculus windows to either side of centre; windows multi-paned and inset into decorative brick surround. North wall is blank. South wall has modern half-paned timber door.

Rear south elevation is almost entirely obscured. It is abutted to east by gable wall of adjoining building, which in return is abutted by rear extension. Raised stone patio extending the length of the terrace; with projecting canopy supported on cast-iron columns; modern half-panelled timber door accessed by single concrete step.

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 end-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 reord has been renumbered previously HB23/16/023