Marlfield House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Substantial, formal one and a half storey house of probable pre 1834 construction, with small gabled extension to rear. The property is set set at the end of a narrow lane to the NW of Marlfield Road, c.2 miles N of Portaferry). The lane leads directly into the farm yard which is at the rear of house.

Front S façade is symmetrical, and, with the exception of the door and window openings, is entirely covered in ivy. Central front panelled and glazed double door with four pane sidelights and elliptical arch ‘radial’ fanlight. Double sliding sash window to left of door with similar window to right.

South east gable blank, and covered in ivy.

North west gable has single attic sash window with horizontal and vertical astragals.

Rear has single sash window to left with double sash window to right of this with small three pane [?steel] attic window next to eaves. Next to second ground floor window is gabled extension with a timber glazed door to its left side a small two pane window to the gable end and a timber sheeted door to the right side. Two pane window, with top hung upper opener, to right of extension on main house. All rear and gable windows and doors have smooth cement render surrounds with smooth render to edges and bases of walls. Rest of walls are finished in rough cast render with front covered in ivy.

Pitched roofs to main house and extension, with Bangor blue slates to main roof and asbestos slates to extension. Three Velux windows and one cast iron skylight to front of main house roof with two Velux windows and one small cast iron skylight to rear. Stone parapet to south east gable. Four rendered chimney stacks with chamfered plinths. All stacks have matching pots except the third. Cast iron gutters and down spouts.

Historical information

The name ‘Marlfield House’ suggests this building may once have possessed local significance. A house is shown in this townland on a map of the Ards dating from 1767, which may or may not correspond to this building, or an earlier structure on this site. What does appear to be the present house, is shown on the 1834 OS map, however. In 1838 the occupant of the house is listed as a Margaret Dalzell, with a James Savage in residence in 1861. The Savage family appear to have retained ownership of the property until at least 1886.

References- Primary sources
1 [?PRONI] 1767 map of the Ards, used as front cover for successive editions of the 'Journal of the Upper Ards Historical Society' (1977-97)
2 PRONI OS/6/3/24/1 OS maps, 1st ed., 1834, Down sheet 24
3 PRONI VAL/1B/36 First valuation, Parish of Ardquin, 1838
4 PRONI OS/6/3/24/2 OS maps, 1st rev, 1860, Down sheet 24
5 PRONI Second ('Griffith's') valuation, 1861 [In print.]
6 George Henry Bassett ‘County Down Guide and Directory’ (Dublin 1886)
7 PRONI OS/6/3/24/3 OS maps, 2nd ed., 1899-1900, Down sheet 24

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Substantial, formal one and a half storey house of probable pre 1834 construction, with small gabled extension to rear. Not much altered and of limited architectural interest.