Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB23/16/030 A

Address :
Rathmoyle 40 Craigdarragh Road Helen's Bay Co Down BT19 1UB

Townland:
Ballyrobert

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Survey 2:
A

Date of Listing:
14/10/1994 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Office

Former Use
House

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
Yes

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
115/10

IG Ref:
J4492 8185

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Owner Category

Commercial

Exterior Description And Setting

An asymmetrical split-level Arts and Crafts house with Art Nouveau detailing, built 1901 to designs by Vincent Craig, located in extensive grounds on the east side of Craigdarragh Road. The house is generally two-storey rising to a third attic storey on either side of a four-stage entrance tower (attic is at a higher level on right); there is a single-storey annexe to rear joined to the main house by a curved link block. Pitched and hipped Rosemary clay tiled roofs with attic storey variously lit by gable windows and dormers (variously detailed with flat leaded or hipped tiled roofs); roughcast chimneystacks with flat caps and multiple clay pots. Rainwater goods are half-round cast-iron on overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails. Walling is roughcast over a rock-faced sandstone ground floor topped by a sandstone string. Gables are variously treated with decorative half-timbering and bargeboards. Windows are generally timber or metal framed casements (Crittall) with cement rendered reveals and projecting stone cills (unless otherwise stated). A number of feature windows have leaded and stained Art Nouveau glazing in sandstone surrounds, detailed below. Principal elevation faces northwest and is asymmetrically arranged about a four-stage entrance tower, detailed as house with pyramidal roof. The tower is fronted by a projecting two-storey porch, square to ground floor rising to a canted first floor, and having carved stone heraldic lions placed in front of each chamfer bearing the date ‘1901’. A multi-panelled oak door inset with wicket door and having ornate brass furniture is contained by a curvilinear ashlar sandstone surround, having Art Nouveau stained and leaded sidelights with wavy heads, all accessed up two curving stone steps. First stage has a transom and mullion window with Art Nouveau detailing; the upper stages each have a three-light casement with horizontal emphasis, with fourth stage ‘watch tower’ set some way above and projecting slightly over a moulded stone string. The remainder of the elevation has a complex arrangement of gables and fenestration. All windows are as stated with the exception of that to right of entrance tower, which is transom and mullion sandstone. At left side a two-storey gabled projection is lit by a full-height canted bay, fully glazed to each floor, and catslide to left over an outshot which is lit by an ornate Art Nouveau window. The northeast elevation is two-storey and of plain appearance with a corner window to first floor and a bipartite window to ground floor right. The southeast (rear) elevation is divided by a half-hipped rear extension which is offset to right of centre, and extended to southeast by a single-storey annexe; to its right, the two storey section of the main block is of plain appearance and two storeys, leading to the rear yard. It is lit by a casement to first floor and a 1/1 sash to ground floor; there are also two segmental arched entrances, one to coal yards and one original timber door with oval glazed panel leading to kitchens. The main section of the east elevation, to left of the annexe, is defined by a series of gables, variously detailed, and irregular fenestration, including a bow window to ground floor centre. The extension is plainly detailed. The annexe has a pitched roof with ornate timber ventilation stack to ridge, topped by a weathervane; also a chimney to each end. It is lit to south by a mullioned casement window, each pane diminishing beneath a single segmental arch with ashlar sandstone voussoirs; south west corner is has an Arts and Crafts style canted bay window with lattice lights having timber mullions and transoms and small paned lights over, all topped by a painted leaded dome with tall finial. The south end of the annexe is abutted by a cast-iron conservatory. The east elevation is lit by a substantial roughcast canted bay with Art Nouveau glazing. The annexe is connected to the main house by a curved link block lit by a series of Art Nouveau windows with segmental heads, all in a timber frame over roughcast plinth walling and having a central wide timber door of three panels beneath an Art Nouveau leaded glazed panel as others. The southwest elevation is part-gabled, and has a box bay over two storeys to right (continuous glazing to each floor), and a window to three floors at left including bowed bay to ground floor. Setting The house is set well back from the road in extensive grounds comprising formal lawns and mature trees and shrubs throughout. To front is a forecourt accessed by a winding tarmac drive from the entrance at east. To rear are separate housekeeper's lodgings and garages, and a small group of farm buildings. The main entrance is attended by a gate lodge and comprises a pair of electronic timber gates supported on roughcast piers with stone caps topped by ball finials.

Architects

Craig, Vincent

Historical Information

The house bears a date stone of 1901 and is shown on the third edition Ordnance Survey map of 1900-02. It enters valuation records at the same period (1902) as a house, offices, gate lodge and land valued at £143.15s, occupied by Vincent Craig and leased from the Marquis of Dufferin. Valuer’s notes of 1902 give a plan and dimensions for the house and gate lodge and state the cost as ‘about £5,000’. The house was designed by Vincent Craig, elder brother of Lord Craigavon, for himself. Craig moved to England in 1911 and sold the house to Herbert Brown, a Belfast linen merchant, who is listed as the occupier in 1913. According to Brett, Brown in turn sold it in 1927 to the Mitchell family. In 1933 William Charles Mitchell is listed as the occupier and at this time the accommodation comprises; thirteen bedrooms, three receptions, a kitchen, scullery, two pantries and two bathrooms. The house was then rented until 1947 to Captain Sam Duffin who then passed it to “new owners who have ever since used it (and still use it) to accommodate overseas visitors, for hospitality, and for training and conferences, for all of which purposes it is admirably suited; though they have managed to retain its domestic character, with many fine pieces of Edwardian furniture...The house was refurbished and in parts redecorated in 1993 under the supervision of Michael Priest of London”. (Brett, p.126) References: Primary Sources 1.PRONI OS/6/3/1/3 – Third Edition OS Map 1900-02 2.PRONI OS/6/3/1/4 – Fourth Edition OS Map 1919-31 3.PRONI OS/6/3/1/5 – Fifth Edition OS Map 1938-41 4.PRONI VAL/12/A/3/19 – Annual Revisions Valuers’ Notebook (1902) 5.PRONI VAL/12/B/17/10A-G – Annual Revisions (1867-1930) 6.PRONI VAL/12/B/17/11A-C – Annual Revisions (1888-1930) 7.PRONI VAL/3/D/4/4F/6 – Valuer’s RV Binder (1933-57) Secondary Sources 1.Brett, C.E.B. “Buildings of North County Down” Belfast: Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 2002

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion C. Ornamentation D. Plan Form I. Quality and survival of Interior J. Setting

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest V. Authorship

Evaluation

An asymmetrical split-level Arts and Crafts house with Art Nouveau detailing, built 1901 to designs by Vincent Craig. Rathmoyle is a substantial house, an amalgam of the variety of styles which were popular at the turn of the twentieth century. It was designed by eminent local architect Vincent Craig for his own use, and reflects his favoured Arts and Crafts idiom. Many motifs familiar to the styles have been utilised, from the heart motif to the medieval theme which distinguishes the entrance hall and dining room. Set in extensive landscaped grounds, the house is a notable example of early twentieth-century architecture in all its variety, showcasing many of the more familiar themes of the period and standing as an intact example of Vincent Craig’s work. The original fenestration, including some high quality Art Nouveau glazing, adds to the architectural interest of the house, dominated and drawn together by the watch tower entrance with its fine oak door and stone doorcase. Rathmoyle is one of the best complete houses of its type, retaining its original setting, and is also a good example of the work of a prominent local architect.

General Comments

Please note this record has been renumbered it was previously recorded as HB23/16/030

Date of Survey

04 May 2010