86 Main Street

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Small, plain and unassuming, single-storey Orange hall, set within a mixed terrace. Originally a dwelling house of possible pre-1834 construction, the building was converted to its present use in 1903, (and extended to the rear c.1960s) but, externally still retains its domestic appearance. The building is set on the north-west side of Main Street, within the small town of Greyabbey.

The adjoining property (no.84) appears to have been demolished in late 2008 and a replacement building is now in progress.

The front elevation is asymmetrical, with the front entrance to the left side. Roughly hewn stone steps rise to the front entrance. To the left of the front south façade is a semicircular arched doorway which has an painted stone 'Ards' surround consisting of plain pilasters and a semicircular arch with keystone. The replacement sheeted door is manufactured in uPVC. To the right there are two flat-arched window openings with cut stone sills. Replacement windows are uPVC.

The now exposed west gable is blank.

The north façade is composed entirely of the c.1960s extension and has a series of flat-headed window and door openings; the door and window frames are all uPVC.

The main roof is pitched and covered with artificial slate. Rainwater goods are uPVC. The front wall is finished with ruled and lined render; it rests on a plain plinth and has a plain eaves course. Side and rear walls are finished with roughcast render.

Historical information

The site of this building is shown developed on the OS map of 1834. In the near contemporary valuation the particular structure on this site is noted as one of 'six houses under value', and as such not rateable, and consequently not recorded by the valuers. In the second valuation of c.1861 the house -which, due to lack of change in later valuations we can assume to be the present building- is listed as occupied by a Samuel Lavery, with the modest rateable value of £2-5-0. In 1885 the occupant is recorded as Ellen McDermott, followed by an S. Cummings in 1894, and William Morrison in 1900. In 1903 the house was acquired by the local Orange Lodge, and converted to an Orange hall. Previous to this the lodge met met in a property elsewhere within Main Street.

It is difficult to be certain of the age of this building. Its single-storey form strongly suggests an early 19th century date at least. The semicircular-headed 'Ards' door surround is found on various properties within Greyabbey and Newtownards dating from the 1820s through to the 1850s, perhaps indicating, however it is possible that this surround is a later alteration. The actual arch itself has moulding which looks closer to 1850- or later. The extension to the rear is post 1903, as the dimensions of the building given in the valuers' notebook of that year correspond to the original structure only.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL1B/33 First valuation, Greyabbey parish, c.1834-c.1838
2 PRONI VAL1D/3/17 Valuation town plan of Greyabbey, c.1838
3 PRONI VAL2D/3/10 Valuation town plan of Greyabbey, c.1861
2 PRONI VAL2B/3/4 Second valuation, Greyabbey parish, c.1861
3 PRONI VAL12B/23/16A Annual valuation revision book, Greyabbey ED, 1866-79
4 PRONI VAL12B/23/16B Annual valuation revision book, Greyabbey ED, 1880-82
5 PRONI VAL12B/23/16C Annual valuation revision book, Greyabbey ED, 1883-1900
7 PRONI VAL12B/23/16D Annual valuation revision book, Greyabbey ED, 1900-08
8 PRONI VAL12E/99/1 Valuation town plan of Greyabbey, 1906 [-1945]
9 PRONI VAL12B/23/16E Annual valuation revision book, Greyabbey ED, 1909-21
10 PRONI VAL12B/23/16F Annual valuation revision book, Greyabbey ED, 1921-30
10 PRONI VAL3B/4/17 First General Revaluation of Northern Ireland, Greyabbey ED, 1935
11 PRONI VAL3C/4/36 First General Revaluation of Northern Ireland, Greyabbey ED, 1936-56
12 PRONI VAL4B/3/73 Second General Revaluation of Northern Ireland, Greyabbey ED, 1956-72

Secondary sources
1 ‘84a Main Street’ (1997) [A history of Orangeism in Greyabbey.]

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This small Orange was converted c 1903 from a dwelling constructed c 1820. Its main feature of note is the classical doorcase to the front door. Unfortunately there have been alterations to the rear and the replacement of door and windows with uPVC and this detracts from it interest. It has local interest as an Orange hall.