11 Ballyfounder Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Description on 10.03.2006. As 08.08.1997 except that the house has been partially refurbished and extended. There are now 3 larger metal roof lights to the front elevation. The original rear return has been removed and a new 2 storey extension has been constructed. This will be finished in natural slates and render to match the main house. The roof construction is now all new. A conservatory is also under construction. The outbuildings and corn stack are unchanged from the original survey report.

Description on 08.08.1997 Single storey vernacular house with attic, of possible pre 1834 origin. The property is set at the end of a lane to the S of the Ballyfounder Road, c.2 miles SE of Portaferry.

The front façade faces roughly E and is asymmetrical. Slightly to the left of centre is the main entrance with timber panel door with plain fanlight. To the left and to the right of the door are two sash windows with horizontal astragals.

The S gable has ground floor and attic window also as front. The N gable has an attic window, as before.

To the rear there is a small off centre lean-to extension with sash window to W face with Georgian panes. To the N face is a plain timber sheeted back door, with a two pane timber window to S. Window to right of extension (on main façade) as front. Window to far left of extension as front with two smaller windows between it and extension, the first a small four pane square window and the second a larger square sash window with vertical astragals.

The façade is harled and white washed.

The gabled roof is covered with Bangor blue slates, stone parapets and four potless yellow brick chimney stacks with simple corbelling. Small skylight to front and small dormer with segmental arch roof and glazed sides, to rear. Cast iron gutters and down spouts.

Extensive and largely intact outbuildings to north (with elaborate external access feeder for cattle) with smaller out buildings to south. Wrought iron gates (probably early to mid nineteenth century). Large ‘corn stool’ to rear. External water pump on opposite side of road.

Historical information

A building is shown on this site on the 1834 OS map and all other maps thereafter. The 1838 valuation survey records a much longer single storey dwelling house on the site, suggesting that the present property had not been built at this point, or was partly demolished giving the building we see today. As the plan of the house on the 1834, 1859 and 1901 OS maps looks exactly like that of today, it is difficult to explain these dimensions. It seems likely that the fabric of the present house is pre 1834, but the overall 'neatness' of the façade suggests mid to later 19th century renovation.

One Eliza McDonnell is recorded as occupant in the first valuation of 1838 and that of 1861.

March 2006 Undergoing major refurbishment. Owner's attempting to rrtain as much of the original character as possible.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/32/1 Ordnance Survey Maps, 1st ed., 1834, Down sheet 32
2 PRONI VAL/1B/314 First valuation, Parish of Witter, 1838
3 PRONI OS/6/3/32/2 Ordnance Survey Maps, 1st rev., 1860, Down sheet 32
4 PRONI Second valuation, Parish of Witter, 1861 (in print)
5 PRONI OS/6/3/32/3 Ordnance Survey maps, 2nd ed., 1899-1900, Down sheet 32

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
G. Innovatory Qualities
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Fine example of a 1 1/2 storey vernacular farm house with outbuildings, which may be largely pre 1834 in construction, but which may have assumed its present form in the mid 1800s. The farmyard contains some two and single storey outbuildings and a fully intact corn stack.