The Bog,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Large single storey vernacular gabled house of possible pre 1834 origin, modernised and extended somewhat in recent years. The property is situated to the W of the Ballyglighorn Road, c.2 miles SE of Comber.

The front (E) façade has a recently formed modern looking doorway to the right of centre with a PVC door and large window-like sidelight (all doorways and windows are modern and in PVC). This doorway has taken the place of a window. To the left of the doorway are three window with simple moulded surround with keystones. The 2nd window used to be the entrance door. To the right of the doorway is another, similar window.

To the far right there is a large gabled projection with a window (as before) to the S face. Its gable is blank. The main S gable has a window, as front, to the left. This gable merges with the S face of a rear return, which is blank. The N gable merges with the N side of the front gabled projection and this whole façade has two smallish square windows, without surrounds.

To the rear façade there are three windows (of varying size) with a pair of ‘French’ doors between the 2nd and 3rd windows. To the far right there projects a large gabled return with a door and window to its N face and a larger window to its (W) gable.

The entire façade is finished in rough cast with quoins and base to the front and main S gable/façade. Both these facades are painted. The N and rear facades are unpainted and their render looks quite fresh. The roof is covered in a mixture of natural and asbestos slate. Slight roof overhang to eaves with plain barge boards. Two brick chimney stacks to main section of house. PVC rw goods.

Outbuildings to rear. Former barn to NE of house now converted to two holiday homes.

Broad driveway to the front of the house.

Historical information

A building is shown on this site on the OS maps of 1834 and 1858. The valuation records of 1833 note that the house was at that stage in the hands of a Hugh Dixon and measured 64ft x 19 x 8 with a ‘return’ of 27 x 7½ x 6, measurements which appear to correspond to the building we see today. The valuers also recorded the house as grade ‘B’, denoting a building (in their judgement or in fact) possibly up to 50 years old at that stage. The house appears to have been in the hands of the Dixon family at the time of the second valuation survey (c.1863), though in the absence of the map to accompany the valuation this is difficult to confirm.

The surrounds to the windows suggest the property was renovated perhaps around c.1900. Recently the former entrance door was converted to a window, and a new entrance created in place of another window. The gabled projection to the N has also had its roof line heightened marginally and brought up to the same level as (and joined to) the main roof.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL 1B/323 1st valuation, Tullynakill.
2 PRONI OS/1/3/10 OS map, 1st ed. 1834, Down 10.
3 PRONI OS/6/3/10/3 OS map, 1st rev. 1858, Down 10.
4 PRONI 2nd valuation, Tullynakill.
5 PRONI OS/2/3/10 OS map, 2nd ed. 1901, Down 10.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Large single storey vernacular dwelling of probable pre 1834 origin (and possibly 18th century) modernised somewhat in recent years with a new modern entrance created and the former entrance converted to a window. To the rear there is a large gabled return, added in 1998.