22 Victoria Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey-with-attic, two-bay semi-detached Victorian house with neoclassical detailing, built c.1850 and located to the north side of Victoria Road, Holywood. L-shaped on plan with two-storey flat-roof extension to west and small single-storey extensions to east and south; canted bay to north.

Pitched natural slate roof. Cast-iron ogee rainwater goods on deep overhanging eaves with timber soffits and paired corbel brackets. Walling is painted roughcast render with smooth render raised plat-band. Windows are 2/2 timber-framed sliding sash with margin panes; those to first floor are in moulded surrounds with lugs and pediment (rounded pediment to window above canted bay); canted bay with dividing Doric pilasters surmounted by moulded architrave with plain entablature and cornice.

The principal elevation (entrance) faces northwest. To left is slightly projecting gabled bay with canted bay to ground floor, single opening to first floor and segmental-headed multi-paned window to attic; to right is entrance bay with single window above entrance. Entrance, accessed by two slate steps, comprises glazed timber door with two raised-and-fielded panels; framed by sidelights; pilasters have ornate console brackets and Doric capitals, surmounted by segmental-headed transom light with paired vertical glazing bars (replacement glass throughout). Entrance is framed by panelled pilasters with large ornate console brackets (as in door frame) and surmounted by corniced canopy.

The northeast elevation is two openings wide to first floor (blind window to right); ground floor has single window to right, abutted by small modern single-storey extension to left (of no interest).

The southeast (rear) elevation has segmental-headed stairwell window to left; gable has segmental-headed window to attic and single opening to first floor; abutted to ground floor by single-storey extension with partially glazed roof (enclosing original yard); abutted to east by two-storey flat-roof extension; exposed section having 6/6 sliding sash windows to first floor.

The southwest elevation is abutted by adjoining building(HB23/20/062B).

Setting

Set back from Victoria Road and accessed via Victoria Lane to northwest. Sunken parking bay with modern garage to north; house accessed by eight masonry steps with parapet wall and modern cast-iron railing. Lawned garden to east enclosed by mature trees and timber fence. Garden once extended to north, now contains a private two-storey dwelling, also accessed via Victoria Lane.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Roughcast
Windows: timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

After the opening of the railway in 1848, Holywood became increasingly attractive to prosperous merchants, professionals and developers, who began to build homes set in spacious grounds in the immediate surroundings of the town. In the early 1850’s William Bankhead Esq built three structures on this High Holywood plot. According to Auld, Thomas Turner was the architect engaged to design the buildings, which were initially intended to comprise a mansion, outbuildings and porters lodge. Correspondence of 1854 between Thomas Turner and William Bankhead is referred to by Auld, and the Dictionary of Irish Architects also refers to documents of 1852 held by PRONI which show that Thomas Turner supplied designs for alterations to Hillbrook including the addition of outbuildings. (Auld, p.51; www.dia.ie)

All the structures on the site were initially known as ‘Hillbrook’, two later became known as ‘Glenburn’ and ‘Donnybrook’, the remaining structure retaining the name ‘Hillbrook’. The three buildings are first shown on the second edition OS map of 1858, captioned, ‘Hillbrook’. According to Merrick, Hillbrook was used as a school in the 1850s and 60s by John Turpin, however, given the changes of name, it is not clear that the school was in this house. Auld suggests that the school may have been in the neighbouring house, now called ‘Glenburn’. (Merrick, p.58, Auld, p.51)

Auld states that the current house was the mansion designed by Turner and that it was later divided into two semi-detached dwellings. (Auld, p.51) As a result of the confusion surrounding the house names some uncertainty attaches to the occupiers, but as far as could be determined the occupiers were as follows.

Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64) lists the occupier as Margaret Dawson who leases the house, offices, yard and small garden from William Bankhead. It is valued at £42. By 1867 the house had been taken over by Robert Armour, an insurance agent with offices in Ulster Chambers, Belfast who died in 1875 (Will of Robert Armour) The valuation was reduced to £37 in 1885 as part of a general devaluation of property in this area. Subsequent tenants were Jane Harrol in 1887 and Mary Craig in 1905 who is listed in the 1911 census as a widow living on the interest of money with her two daughters. The family also retained a single domestic servant. (Annual Revisions; 1911 census) The Craig family remained in residence until at least 1930 with Helen Craig, daughter of Mary, becoming immediate lessor in 1924. (Annual Revisions)

According to Auld, Hillbrook was, until his death in 1955, the home of Claud Henfrey, an ice-cream manufacturer who introduced choc-ices to Ireland and was also a collector of early Holywood photographs. However, it is not certain which of the two semi-detached houses was his home. (Auld, p.51)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/3/1/2 – Second Edition OS map 1858
2. PRONI OS/6/3/1/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-02
3. PRONI OS/6/3/1/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-31
4. PRONI OS/6/3/1/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1938-41
5. PRONI VAL/2/B/3/18B – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
7. PRONI Will of Robert Armour, died 29th January 1875

Secondary Sources

1. Auld, C.”Forgotten Houses of Holywood, Co Down” Holywood: Con Auld, 2002
2. Merrick, Tony “Buildings of Holywood” Holywood: Holywood Advertiser, 1986
3. www.dia.ie – Dictionary of Irish Architects online

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A two-storey-with-attic, three-bay semi-detached Victorian house with neoclassical detailing, built c.1850. Forming a pair with HB23/20/062B, which is similarly preserved, the two are not among the best examples of the type built for the professional classes during Holywood’s expansion in the mid 19th century. The setting has been compromised with the construction of a two-storey dwelling to north.