Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB09/06/008 C

Address :
The Drapers Arms 2/4 High Street Moneymore Magherafelt Co Londonderry BT45 7PD

Townland:
Moneymore

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
16/12/1977 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Public House - Terrace

Former Use
Hotel - Terrace

Conservation Area:
Yes

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
109/5

IG Ref:
H8580 8337

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

A 4 bay wide, projecting porch, 2 storey building with a bay extending over a gateway, basement, slated and gabled back return. The elevation to High Street is 4 bays wide echoing the centre 4 bays of No. 8 High Street with complimentary projecting porch (see HB09/06/008B) which has 2 Tuscan style columns on a landing, with respond plain pilasters supporting an entablature with cornice. Steps ascend to the landing so that the columns rest on low side walls. To the S side 2, 12 pane double hung sliding sash windows. To the N side a small shopfront comprising a 6 pane display window with plastered and painted panel under cill, 4 panelled entrance door, upper 2 glazed, plain fanlight and painted nameless fascia over with cornice. Simple narrow pilasters frame shopfront. At 1st floor a plain stringcourse just below cills and above 4, 12 pane double hung sliding sash windows centred over openings below. Between the windows square moulded advertising panels with painted symbols. Wall smooth rendered and painted in a strong colour, stepped plinth, ½ round metal gutter, natural slated roof, 2 chimney stacks, one of which is placed on the gable off centre. Between the public house and No. 6 a gateway leading to former market yard and stables and stalls behind and over a 1st floor, slightly set back with single 12 panedouble hung sliding sash window. The exposed S wall to Stonard Street 3 windows off-centre and vertical over other. 1st and 2nd floor windows double hung sliding sash basement window, small rectangle. Wall smooth rendered, unpainted. Back return to Stondard Street continues as 3 storey because of fall in ground with an irregular arrangement of windows with wall smooth rendered, unpainted. Slated roof. The rear of main block of public house is part obscured by return fronting Stonard Street. 3 bays exposed with 12 pane double hung sliding sash windows, 2 to ground floor, 3 to 1st floor and a back door exiting to a flight of external steps, above which are steel external fire escape stairs with windows converted to doors giving access to them. Walls smooth rendered and unpainted. The rear wall over gateway is setback. Basement under ground floor. The former market yard is enclosed by back return, lean-to sheds and stores on other 2 sides. The ground fills quickly to lower yard also enclosed by stores with access gateway to Stonard Street. Part of the extended back return is a dwelling house of the outgoing owner of the Drapers Arm. The Drapers Arm forms part of the architectural composition of the terrace comprising it, the old market house and the doctor’s residence and dispensary. The building line is maintained and forms a fine terrace to High Street.

Architects

Gibson, Jesse

Historical Information

No 2/4 was designed as an inn to provide comfortable accommodation for travellers and members of the Drapers Company and as part of an architectural terrace composition fronting onto High Street (See Booth’s drw. of c 1835, ill 35, Moneymore and Draperstown, p. 58). The Drapers Deputation of 1818 had instructed Jesse Gibson, their architect, to draw up plans. Joinery work was carried out in London ……….. “that they might serves as a model for the workmen of the country”. The inn appears to have varied greatly in the quality of facilities offered as subsequent Deputations felt that much could be done to improve the hospitality. However the O.S. Memoirs describes it “a pretty stone-finished building and contains a good deal of accommodation. Its interior arrangement is very comfortable and the charges are moderate”. A Mr Henry was leased the new inn for 3 years”. The Company’s Deputation “were well accommodated there”. “The plan and design of the inn, by all accounts a handsome place, did credit to Mr Gibson …….. and to Mr George Bridger, the builder”. When W.J. Booth was appointed surveyor he reported that much repair work was needed. The whole place was renovated with new fireplaces, decoration etc and the outbuildings upgraded. In 1877 “The Drapers’ Arm Hotel at Moneymore was greatly improved ……….” Towards the end of the 19th cent. the Company decided to sell its estate. The hotel business eventually petered out and the property became a public house. In 1975 a Patrick McGinley had the premises and the present outgoing owner occupied the building for some 20 years. The shopfront was previously a petrol station, a useful acquisition beside an hotel. References Primary Sources 1. O.S. Map 1832 Londonderry sh. 46. 2. O.S. Map 1832 Rev. 1856 Londonderry sh. 46. 3. O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of Co Londonderry XI 1821, 1833, 1836-7 p. 38 Ed by Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams Q.U.B. 4. Curl J.S. Moneymore and Draperstown UAHS p. 34-62 5. Curl J.S. The Londonderry Plantation 1609-1914 p. 192-251 6. Notes, 1st Survey, E.H.S. Hill Street, Belfast 7. Present Owner Secondary Sources 1. Lewis. Topographical History of Ireland p. 388 2. Rowan, A, North West Ulster, Buildings of Ireland p. 424

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

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

Historic Interest

V. Authorship Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A pleasing arrangement of the early 19th cent. in Georgian style and part of a fine terrace fronting onto High Street but sadly disfigured by brash colour scheme and signs and the interior has lost all its original features. The back return and rear outbuildings do not contribute to the architectural merit though the yard is a good historical item reminiscent of the old market yard.

General Comments

Date of Survey

21 November 2000