Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/30/014 A

Address :
Convent of Mercy Home Avenue Newry Co Down BT34 2DL

Townland:
Ballynacraig

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Survey 2:
B+

Date of Listing:
11/11/1981 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Religious House

Former Use
House

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
266/11 NW

IG Ref:
J0885 2557

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Owner Category

Charity

Exterior Description And Setting

Asymmetrical three-storey double pile house with chapel attached (HB16/30/014B). The front elevation faces west towards a residential home constructed in the grounds by Thomas Fagan in 1898. Roof has natural slates and is double gabled; rendered chimneys (with oversailing caps) to each gable (four in all). Plastic rain water goods at front and back. The walls are dashed over a raised render base course. They have raised vee-jointed and stepped granite quoins to both corners of the main façade. All floors have a rendered continuous cill course across the front façade. At eaves is a corbelled three-course plain cornice. Three granite steps lead up to entrance at centre of front elevation. The timber door has six panels (rectangular at top and bottom, and square between) and brass fittings. The door is framed by two demi-columns and pilasters supporting a pedimented entablature (all components painted, probably over granite). Between each column and pilaster is a 2/2 (vertically divided) sliding sash window. Above the door is a semicircular fanlight which breaks the base of the pediment. Flower-filled urns and wrought iron boot scrapers to each side of door. To left and right is a 6/6 sliding sash window. There are three 6/6 sliding sash windows to first floor and three 6/3 diminished sliding sash windows to second floor. All window openings have rendered heads and stepped jambs and those to the upper floors are in line with the ground floor openings. The right double-gable faces into an enclosed yard. Wall is rendered, with façade cornice continuing across at eaves level. There are two cast-iron down pipes, one from central roof valley. On left gable, at half-landing between ground and first floor, is a Venetian window. This comprises a 6/6 sliding sash with Y tracery segmental head, flanked on both sides by a narrower three-paned window. Below, at ground level, is a 2/2 sliding sash window. Below again, a sweep of curving stone steps leads to basement door and window. A flat-roofed one-storey cement-rendered extension abuts the ground floor of the right gable. The wall facing back towards the yard has a sliding sash window, with louvre glass to top sash. Its end wall is blank. Its right cheek, which is in line with rear elevation of main block, contains a pair of modern French doors (with plain transom) at basement level. The rear elevation of the main building overlooks a large garden. This is planted with lawns, flower beds and trees and is enclosed with a high random rubble wall. Paths are laid out formally dividing the garden into four square central plots. The walls of this elevation are rendered, with raised granite quoins at both corners. Along the basement (which is actually the ground floor of this elevation owing to the ground slope) is a row of five top-hung windows, all modern. At ground floor are five tall openings which contain, from left to right: (1) pair of glazed timber doors with six paned transom above; (2) 6/9 sliding sash window; (3) as 1; (4) as 2; (5) as 2. Across at this level is a modern steel-railed metal balcony with metal staircase to ground. At first floor are five equally spaced 6/6 sliding sash windows, all with granite cills. At second floor are five equally spaced 3/3 sliding sash windows, again with granite cills. All these windows are in line. The left gables are smooth rendered with corbelled cornice at eaves level, and there is a cast iron down pipe from central roof valley. Abutting at ground floor left is a single storey link block to the chapel (see HB 16/30/014b for description). There is a 1/1 sliding sash window to left side of right gable to each upper floor. In the yard to the right of the house is a two-storey outhouse. It has a natural slate hipped roof (the slates:; laid in diminishing courses). Walls facing into yard are dashed and have smooth rendered dressings. This elevation has small windows to first floor and larger to ground floor. A sheeted painted timber door is housed in a semicircular-headed recess. The gable and rear wall openings are blocked. A pair of entrance gates leads into the property from Home Avenue. They are of wrought iron with dog bars at bottom and hooped spikes at top. They are set between two tall rendered granite gate posts which are embellished with a base course, fluted frieze along top, projecting cornice and stepped caps. They are flanked by high painted rendered walls on either side. Punched through each wall is a wicket gate with plain rendered architrave.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

Shown on the 1835 OS map. Recorded in the 1835 valuation book as being occupied by William Needham Thompson [who was Customs Officer at that time]. Valuation book of 1863 notes occupier as Ellen H. Thompson . Described therein as having three storeys. Valuation revision book notes Thomas Fagan as occupant from 1879. The following year, the building is described as a “home for aged and infirm, poor orphanage”. The building is first cited as a convent in 1899 valuation. A plaque above entrance to adjoining old people’s home on the Chapel St side states that the latter was erected by Thomas Fagan and presented to the Sisters of Mercy in 1898. Primary Sources: 1. OS 6" map, 3rd edition PRONI OS 9/15/1/3. 2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 1B.389, pp 44. 3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 2B/3/69K, p.288. 4. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12B/22/14, p.377. 5. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12B/22/17.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

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

Historic Interest

W. Northern Ireland/International Interest

Evaluation

Double pile mid-Georgian classically styled house survivies in virtually original condition. Garden and setting are also of interest. It is of historical interest in being the residence of Needham Thompson, a well-known local figure, before transfer to the convent.

General Comments

Date of Survey

14 August 1997