'Ashdene,'

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Plain, mainly two storey farmhouse of possible part pre 1834 construction, but which was probably raised to its present height in the mid to later 1800s and which now sports a modern glazed porch and modern window frames. The property is set on a slight rise to the S of Newtownards Road, just over 2 miles W of Donaghadee.

The front elevation faces roughly NW and is asymmetrical and mainly two storey, with a small single storey section to right (SW). To the right of centre on the two storey section is a mainly glazed modern porch which covers the original doorway. The doorway itself has a modern glazed door and a mid 19th century looking surround with pilasters, frieze and cornice. To the left of the porch are two windows with modern frames. To the right is a single similar window, with two more slightly narrower windows to the right of this (within the single storey section). To the first floor are four evenly spaced windows, as ground floor.

Both gables are blank. The single storey section merges (to SW) with a single storey outbuilding. To the left on the ground floor of the rear façade of the two storey section is a mainly glazed door to left of this is a square window with modern frame. To left again is a smaller window with modern frame. To the right of the doorway are two windows much as that to far left. To the first floor are two windows, much as first floor front.

The façade is finished in a dry dash. The gabled roof is slated. Two rendered chimney stacks to gables. Mainly cast iron rw goods.

Historical information

A building, matching the plan of the present, is shown on the OS map of 1834. This particular building is not recorded in the valuation of c.1836 as it was below rateable value, something which suggests that it may have been single storey at that stage. In the valuation of c.1861-63 the property was in the hands of a James Hanna and had the rateable value of £6-10-0, a relatively substantial amount which could imply that the property may have been raised to two storey by this time.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI OS/6/3/3/1 OS map, 1834, Co Down sh 2
2 PRONI OS/6/3/3/2 OS map, 1858-60, Co Down sh 2
3 PRONI Second (‘Griffith’s) valuation, Bangor parish, c.1861-3 [In print in search room.]
4 PRONI OS/6/3/3/3 OS map, c.1901, Co Down sh 2
5 PRONI OS/6/3/3/3 OS map, c.1901, Co Down sh 2

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Plain, mainly two storey farmhouse of possible part pre 1834 construction, but which was probably raised to its present height in the mid to later 1800s and which now sports a modern glazed porch and modern window frames.