West Gate Lodge

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Irregular single storey neo-classical sandstone and stucco gate lodge of c.1900 by William J. Fennell, at the west entrance of Ballywalter Park. The lodge is set on the east side of Greyabbey Road, roughly one mile SW of Ballywalter.

This lodge was described by Alistair Rowan in 1967 as ‘on an L plan each arm of which is gabled with a mutule pediment containing the Mulholland coat-of-arms and their motto 'SEMPER PRAECINCTUS'. To each apex an acroterion moulding. On the road [W] elevation a canted bay window surveys the gates, its openings architraved and parapet balustraded. The avenue [S] elevation contains a semicircular headed window framed with pilasters and a keystoned archivolt. In the internal angle a porch with a bowed entablature carried on a pair of Tuscan columns and responds resting on a base which is carried around the lodge as a stringcourse which corresponds with the cills. Rusticated quoins. Puny chimney stack.’

At the NE corner of the lodge a high wall (with a timber sheeted door to its E side) which encloses a small yard. A small modern steel window has been inserted on the right side of the N gable.

The gate screen to the W of the lodge contains elements similar to that on the E entrance such as heavily rusticated sandstone pillars with plain frieze and moulded caps, decorative ‘spear head’ cast iron carriage gates and railings, with a pedestrian gate to the N side.

Historical information

This gate lodge was built c.1900 to designs by William J. Fennell. Previous to this the original western entrance was further to the north-east, but was moved after the acquisition of lands in Ballyatwood. The original western gate lodge (which may have matched that to the east), isolated with the enlarging of the estate was demolished in recent times, however, the original gates were dismantled and reconstructed at the new western entrance.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/12B/23/6a-f Annual valuation revision books, Ballywalter, 1866-1929

Secondary sources
1 Lord Dunleath et al, 'Ballywalter Park' (Belfast, UAHS, 1985).
2 Alistair Rowan, "Ballywalter Park, Co. Down- I, II" in 'Country Life', vol.CXLI, No.3652, 2nd March 1967, pp.456-60: No.3653, 9th March 1967, pp.516-20
3 J.A.K. Dean 'The Gate lodges of Ulster- a gazetteer', (Belfast, 1994) p.63.
4 Derek Patton, "The Village of Ballywalter- A brief history" in 'Journal of the Upper Ards Historical Society No.14' (1990), pp.10-15
5 A.J. Hughes and R.J. Hannan, 'Place-Names of Northern Ireland Vol. Two, County Down II- The Ards', (QUB, 1992), pp.71-73

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Irregular single storey neo-classical sandstone and stucco gate lodge of c.1900 by William J. Fennell, at the west entrance of Ballywalter Park.