Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB10/04/001 A

Address :
Baronscourt Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone BT78 4EX

Townland:
Barons Court

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Survey 2:
A

Date of Listing:
07/07/1977 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Country House

Former Use
Country House

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
104-9

IG Ref:
H3622 8285

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

A two-storey multi-bay Neo-classical country house, built c.1780, to designs by George Steuart, remodelled and extended c.1790 by Sir John Soane, further remodelled c.1835 by William Morrison; further remodelled and reduced in size by Sir Albert Richardson c.1945. The house is set in an extensive demesne located to the west of Newtownstewart village (HB10/04/001A-R) It is generally double-fronted square on plan (entrance elevation to north, garden elevation to south) with east and west wings and two-storey projecting pavilions to either end at north; the garden elevation breaks forward at centre and is pedimented. Roofs are hipped Welsh slate with lead-capped ridges and hips; several tall ashlar sandstone chimneystacks with corniced caps and decorative pots. Tapered parapet gutters to base of roofslopes; cast-iron box gutters elsewhere; moulded hopper heads. Walling is ashlar sandstone with parapet and cornice (except where stated), platband and stringcourse at first floor level, slightly projecting plinth. Parapet supports a number of decorative urns. Windows are timber sliding sash, 6/9 6/6 and 3/6; opening are detailed with each elevation. The entrance elevation is asymmetrical and faces north. It is dominated by a triple-height prostyle tetrasyle Ionic portico with pediment bearing a carved stone coat-of-arms; the frieze is detailed with laurel wreaths; responding piers have decorative capitals. The portico is flanked by lower two-storey two-bay projecting bays fronting recessed two-storey east and west wings (that to west sits further back), each terminated by a lower two-storey pavilion (the east wing has no parapet; east pavilion is deeper). A plainly detailed granite colonnade of square-arches spans each ground floor between the pavilions and projecting bays; each has an ashlar infil panel to right arch. The pavilions are plainly detailed, each having a blind semi-circular arch to its main face. The entrance consists of a double-leaf half-glazed timber door with brass furniture, lugged architrave and pediment, flanked by a 6/6 window having moulded lugged architrave and pediment on foliated console brackets to either side. There is an additional secondary entrance door accessed by stone steps to right of portico; it has a beaded muntin, brass furniture and large 6-light transom. Ground floor windows are generally 6/6 have lugged architraves and moulded cills with panelled stops; 3/6 and no lugs to first floor. The east elevation consists of the east end of the main east wing, which is has two blind openings at first floor over two similar diminished openings (all separated by platbands), and the east elevation of the pavilion, which is four windows wide at each floor over exposed rubble-stone basement. Elliptical-arch-headed basement entrance comprises a four-panelled door surmounted by plain entablature on plain baseless columns. Basement windows are 3/3 and have plain reveals. Remainder are 6/6 with the exception of a single 3/3 to first floor. Main block is abutted at left (basement level) by a monopitched garage extension (screened by false front to south elevation – see later). The south (garden) elevation is symmetrical and consists of the central section (seven windows wide and four windows deep) with central pedimented breakfront, flanked by wings (four windows wide). Ground floor windows are 6/9 with full-height architraves to ground level enclosing a panelled apron. First floor windows are 6/6 with platband at cill level and lugged architraves. The west elevation consists of the west elevation of the west wing, and the lower west elevation of the pavilion; both are two windows wide. The west wing has an eight-panelled door at left with large 9-light transom, and a window above, all framed by full-height lesene strips. At right is a projecting bowed ground floor bay with three windows (9-light upper sash over large plain glazed lower sash), surmounted by a balcony with panelled parapet. A double-leaf half-glazed timber door with large transom leads to the balcony at upper floor; all openings have lugged architraves with the exception of those to the bowed bay, which are framed by pilasters. Pavilion openings are 6/6 to ground floor and 3/6 to first floor. The garage block forms a false front to south, detailed as main house and with parapet cornice to south concealing monopitched natural slate roof behind. It is read as two parts: left section is three windows 6/6 windows wide to each floor, right section breaks forward and has two double height round-headed 15/15 sash windows. North elevation consists of an arcade of eight elliptical-headed openings set in a timber sheeted wall; the two at left are open, remainder have double timber-sheeted doors with multi-light elliptical transoms. There is a tennis court directly at north. To the east of the garage block is a square stone faced store, partly ashlar and partly randomly coursed, built in to rising ground with 2 hopper openings that may have been for the delivery of coal. The roof is supported on steel beams and a series of brick jack arches. The house is set on the floor of a declivity in an extensive demesne, with Late formal gardens to south and an expansive lawn and gravel forecourt to north. One of a series of lakes is accessed by a set of steps descending down a steep terrace to west. The estate offices and stableyard (HB10/04/001B) are set on a steep rise to east. The formal gardens comprise a series of shallow terraces with a linear network of gravel paths and manicured beds; the garden is furnished with a number of sets of bull-nosed stone steps and a number of balustraded plinth walls define the immediate curtilege. Beyond to boundary of the garden at south is pasture and grazing land. At the south-west corner is a sandstone and cast-iron gate screen leading from a gravel estate road at south to a grass avenue running up the west side of the house. It comprises two sets of piers supporting an ornate cast-iron gate with matching screens to either side divided by square open-latticework piers with pointed finials; terminated at either side by square ashlar sandstone piers with cornices caps and shallow filleted urn finials on pedestal blocks. Roof: Hipped Welsh slate, leaded hips and ridges Walling: Ashlar sandstone Windows: Timber sashes (various configurations), stone cills and moulded architraves. RWG: Tapered parapet gutters, cast-iron box gutters, decorative hopper heads

Architects

Richardson, Sir A Morrison, Richard & William Vitruvius Stewart, G Soane, Sir J

Historical Information

During the plantation, extensive lands in County Tyrone were granted to the first Earl of Abercorn in 1611 by King James I. Baronscourt was included and was part of the manor of Derrygoon (also known as Derrywoon and Dirrywoon). Baronscourt Demesne lies in the townland of Barons Court within the parish of Ardstraw approximately 4km south-west of Newtownstewart. The present mansion was originally constructed c.1780, remodelled and extended c.1790, and again c.1835 and c.1945. The Abercorns originally had their Baronscourt residence in what is now the Agent’s house (HB10/04/001C). Rowan states that Baronscourt House (HB 10/04/001A) was built on its present site between 1779 and 1781 and Bence-Jones dates it to c.1780. The house is shown on a 1777 map of the demesne (D623/D/1/16/72), possibly moving the date back a few years, although this could be a proposed layout. Correspondence shows that the building was certainly complete by 1781 and plans were already underway to convert the earlier house and to carry out other improvements in the demesne. James Hamilton, eighth Earl of Abercorn (1712-1789) employed George Steuart as his architect. According to Rowan (p 131), Steuart’s house cost £8,015 8s. 7½d. John (later Sir) Soane was employed by the first Marquis of Abercorn (1756-1818) to remodel the house during 1791-92. Changes included enlarging and remodelling the house and reorienting, to create a north-facing front. Building accounts show these changes cost the Marquis at least £14,500. In July 1793 James Hamilton described the change as ‘completely metamorphosed, both as to house and grounds, as scarcely to bear a single trace of resemblance to the former appearance of either.’ (Proudfoot, p 534). In 1796 an accidental fire at the house, gutted the main block of Soane’s building causing the loss of distinctive features. Robert Woodgate, already at Baronscourt overseeing work for Soane, was put in charge of reconstruction between 1797-98. Additional changes were subsequently made in 1810 by Mr Turner. According to agent John James Burgoyne, Turner was ‘idle’ and would ‘do anything to get a drink’ (Gebbie p 388-9). OS Memoirs describe in the 1830s (p 10) that considerable improvements and alterations are about to be made to the house immediately. Around this time, the second Marquess of Abercorn called upon William Farrell and William Vitruvius Morrison to produce plans for remodelling, Morrison’s plans were chosen. His father, Richard Morrison, took over after his death in 1838. Remodelling cost almost £20,000. The house was further enlarged and a pedimented port-cochere added. The house was given a rich Ne-oclassical interior and a formal garden was added at this time. The Morrisons contributed largely to the interior of Baronscourt. Greek Ionic columns, the Rotunda and a large dining room with scagliola pilasters, were amongst the additions. Richard Morrison’s individual contribution is the Palladian revival ceiling in the library, designed 1839 (Rowan p 132). The house was subject to another fire c.1940. O’Brien states Sir Albert Richardson made some changes for the late third Duke c.1945 after this, including the demolition of two substantial wings (O’Brien, p 204). In 1970, Raymond Firth was responsible for building a garage on the site of one of these wings (Reeves-Smith in the Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest, Northern Ireland). Rowan states that work was undertaken to reinstate some internal changes made by Richardson c. 1975 (p 133). This was most likely the work of David Hicks, who, according to Reeves-Smith, was commissioned to remodel the interior between 1975-6. References: Primary Sources 1. PRONI D/623/D/1/16/72 -Map of Baronscourt Park (1777) 2. PRONI OS/6/6/17/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833) 3. PRONI OS/6/6/17/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1854) 4. PRONI OS/6/6/17/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1907) 5. PRONI D/623/D/5/43 -Late 19th Century map of Baronscourt 6. PRONI VAL/1B/637A &D -Townland Valuation (1828-40) 7. PRONI VAL/2/A/6/17A -Griffith’s Valuation Map (1856-64) 8. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/17 -Griffith’s Valuation (1856-1925) 9. PRONI VAL/12/B/42/7A-F -Annual Revision Records (1860-1925) Secondary Sources 1. Bence-Jones, M. “A Guide to Irish Country Houses.” Second Revised Edition. London: Constable and Robinson, 1990. 2. Day, A. and P. McWilliams, eds. “OS Memoirs of Ireland, Parishes of County Tyrone I, 1821, 1823, 1833-36, Vol. 5.” Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1990. 3. Dean, J. A. K. “The Gate Lodges of Ulster.” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1994. 4. Lewis, S. “A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, Vol. I.” London: S. Lewis & Co., 1837. 5. O’Brien, J. and D. Guinness. “Great Irish Houses and Castles.” London: George Weidenfield & Nicolson Ltd., 1992. 6. Proudfoot, L. Place and Mentalité: The ‘big house’ and its locality in County Tyrone, Ch. 16. In “Tyrone History and Society.” Dillon, C. and Henry A. Jefferies, eds. Geography Publications, 2000. 7. Rowan, A. “North West Ulster: Londonderry, Donegal, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.” Dublin: Penguin Books, 1979. 8. The Irish Architectural Archive Dublin. “The Architecture of Richard Morrison (1767 – (1849) and William Vitruvius Morrison (1794 – 1838).” Dublin: The Irish Architectural Archive Dublin, 1989. 9. The Irish Architectural Archive Dublin. [Internet source]. Available from: Accessed 22nd Apr 2009 10. Young, R.M. “Belfast and the Province of Ulster in the Twentieth Century.” Brighton” W. T. Pike, 1909 11. “Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest, Northern Ireland.” Northern Ireland Environment Agency [Internet Source]. Available from: Accessed 22nd Apr 2009

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion C. Ornamentation D. Plan Form E. Spatial Organisation H+. Alterations enhancing the building I. Quality and survival of Interior J. Setting K. Group value

Historic Interest

V. Authorship W. Northern Ireland/International Interest Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Baronscourt is one of the largest and most significant country houses in Northern Ireland and the wider island of Ireland. It has been in continuous use as the family seat of the Earls of Abercorn since 1780 and retains a wealth of the highest quality detailing and craftsmanship. The house has been associated with a number of distinguished architects and has undergone at least three periods of extensive remodelling since its construction, having been originally designed by George Steuart, subsequently enlarged by Sir John Soane in 1790, and again by William Vitruvius Morrison in c.1830, taking on its current appearance only in c.1945 when the house was reduced in size by Sir Albert Richardson. As a result, the house has a somewhat complicated plan, particularly at the north side, where rooms are on a number of levels. It is neo-classical in style, faced in ashlar sandstone, generally two storey over an extensive basement, with formal garden front to south and entrance elevation with portico and asymmetrical pavilions to north. Internal refurbishment by David Hicks c.1970 is also worthy of note. The main house is complemented by the lower level garage block, a detatched store and an ornate gate screen to the south. The house is beautifully situated in an extensive demesne with formal gardens, parkland, woodland and three loughs. It is overlooked by the stableyard (HB10/04/001B) to east and has a wealth of ancillary structures including a two earlier ducal residences, an eighteenth century classical villa (HB10/04/001C) and a seventeenth century plantation house. The house and wider demesne are of considerable architectural, historical and significance.

General Comments

This record has been renumbered it was previously HB10/04/001.It is part of a group which includes previous HB/10/04/051 and HB10/04/052.

Date of Survey

08 April 2009