1 Ardmore Terrace

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A symmetrical three-bay, three-storey end terrace house built c.1850, located to the west of Ardmore Road, south east of Holywood. Rectangular on plan with two two-storey returns to rear.

Pitched natural slate roof with rectangular chimneystacks having stone plinth and terracotta pots. Half-round rainwater goods on painted masonry eaves; uPVC rainwater goods to rear returns. Walling is ruled-and-lined painted render to principal elevation (west elevation smooth painted render); simple rustication to ground floor; with quoins, raised and chamfered plinth and smooth render string course between upper floors. Windows to principal elevation are; to ground floor 2/1 timber-framed sliding sash in canted bays; 2/2 to first and second floor (second floor are diminutive) with continuous sill and moulded architrave with projecting moulded cornice to first floor openings. West elevation has two uPVC windows to ground floor. Asymmetrical fenestration to rear elevation, with a variety of timber-framed sliding sash, the majority 6/6, all with projecting masonry sills.

The principal elevation faces north and is three windows wide; ground floor having central single panelled timber door with recessed moulded surround and round-headed plain transom light, accessed by four stone steps.

East gable is abutted by adjoining building, HB 23/20/065B.

Rear elevation comprises recessed bay to right abutted by two-storey return with window openings to both floors at south gable. Two-storey return also to left, both returns with window openings to exposed sections. Left return with pent roof; right return is abutted by similar return to HB 23/20/065B (creating full gable). Yard is enclosed with joining wall between gable ends, with simple timber latch gate. No access to rear yard.

The west elevation has single modern window to ground floor; return to south also with single uPVC to ground floor.

Setting

Paved front garden accessed by stone steps, enclosed by a rendered wall. To rear there is a communal pathway separating the house and garden; the garden containing recently constructed two-storey house and bounded by tall hedgerow.

Roof: natural slate
Walling: render
Windows: timber
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

Ardmore Terrace was built in the late 1840s and the houses were let, either as bathing villas or on more permanent terms, to the professional classes who were beginning to be attracted to Holywood, following the opening of the railway. (Merrick, p.56-9)

The terrace is shown on the second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1858 captioned “Ardmore Terrace”. The Griffith’s Valuation fieldbook for the period (1856-64) lists the buildings initially with the name of “Ormeau Terrace”. It also carries an undated newspaper clipping advertising the renamed villas for rent, “Villas in Holywood at reduced rent. To let and immediate possession given, two houses in Ardmore Terrace. The houses have each a garden and the use of extensive grounds and contain Dining room, Drawing room and Seven Bedrooms with Hot and Cold Baths &c., and a never-failing supply of Water, without pumping. For a permanent tenant, very moderate terms would be made…An Omnibus plies from every Train, Fare 2d. Apply on the premises; or to James Greenfield, Post Office, Holywood.” Although the lessor, John Simms, may have sought to let the houses to a ‘permanent tenant’, it appears that the houses may have, on occasion, been used as bathing villas and rented seasonally, and if so the valuation records may not reflect every change in tenancy.

At the time of Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64), number one is unoccupied and is leased from John Simms with a valuation of £55, a larger valuation than others in the row reflecting its larger size. A plan and dimensions of the house are given. The valuer comments, “Each of these small houses has 1st storey: D.Room, parlour, closet, pantry and kitchen, 2nd storey: 2 large bedrooms, bathroom, closet and servants room, Return: scullery, store rooms and servants rooms.” Between 1880 and 1887 the valuations were dropped slightly but no reason for this is given.

By 1863 the occupier is Jane Marshall and then follow a succession of tenants; Maria Pirrie (1880), Marion McCammon (1890) and Alfred Egan (1918). The house also experiences some periods of vacancy. In 1902 the immediate lessor becomes William Gilliland, who also occupied one of the houses. He was an architect, engaged mainly in commercial and industrial projects such as the Ormeau Bakery, Belfast, and was also active in public life as a founder member of the Ulster Society of Architects and a city councillor for Victoria Ward. (www.dia.ie)

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/3/1 – Griffith’s Valuation Map (1856-64)
6.PRONI VAL/2/B/3/18B – Griffith’s Valuation (1856-64)
7.PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930)
8.PRONI VAL/12/B/17/11A-C – Annual Revisions (1888-1930)

Secondary Sources

1.Merrick, Tony “Buildings of Holywood” Holywood: Holywood Advertiser, 1986
2.www.dia.ie – Dictionary of Irish Architects online

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A recently renovated three-storey three-bay end terrace Victorian house, one of a terrace of seven built in palace form. A substantial house reflecting the development of Holywood after the arrival of the railway. Most historic fabric remains intact and it is, along with the rest of the terrace, a fine example of the type. The setting has been compromised with the construction of modern housing (Ardmore Park) on the approach to Ardmore Court and further construction to the rear.

General comments

Please note this record has been renumbered it was previously recorded as HB23/20/065