Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB18/18/001 A

Address :
Finnebrogue House off Finnebrogue Road Finnabrogue Downpatrick Co Down BT30 9AA

Townland:
Finnabrogue

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Survey 2:
B+

Date of Listing:
27/10/1976 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:
224/3

IG Ref:
J4811 4721

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

Large, part two, part three storey, hipped roof country house originally dating from the mid to later 17th century, but extensively remodelled internally, and to a lesser extent, externally, in the 1790s, with some changes to the rear in c.1880s largely cleared away in the 1930s. The building is roughly H-shaped, with a recessed central entrance section and projecting side wings. The central portion contains two floors whereas the wings have three- the attic level (and dormer windows) to the centre removed in the 1790s to permit the heightening of the first floor rooms. The slightly battered walls are roughcasted, the roof slated, almost all windows Georgian-paned sashes, and the tall prominent chimneystacks rendered. The property is situated within an extensive 45 acre demesne, roughly 1½ miles NW of Downpatrick and is approached from a drive to the S, opening off the Finnebrogue Road. The front elevation faces almost directly N and is generally symmetrical. The elevation consists of the recessed entrance section to the centre flanked by the short N ends of the projecting wings. To the centre of the ground floor of the recessed portion is the main entrance. This consists of a six panel timber door flanked by ¾ columns with moulded bases and Doric capitals with fluted friezes. Beyond the columns are four pane sidelights with thin square pilasters with moulded cornice-like capitals. The entrance is topped with a fluted frieze and dentilled cornice, with the entablature breaking forward over the door; directly above the columns the entablature is enriched with circular paterae. Recent projecting (‘period’ style) light fitting above doorway. To the left of the entrance are two tall Georgian-paned sash windows (both 6/6- all windows have similar frames but with varying numbers of panes). The windows have very slim painted stone cills. To the right of the entrance are two similar windows, with five significantly taller windows to the first floor (all 9/6). The first floor windows were lengthened in the 1790s, when the first floor rooms to this section were heightened. The N face of the E wing (to left on the front elevation) has a panelled door to left on the ground floor with three pane rectangular fanlight. This door (which is reached by a short flight of stone steps with wrought iron railings) was inserted some time in the mid 19th century, replacing a window. To the right of the doorway is a window, with two more to the first floor (all 9/6). To the ‘inner’ W face of the E wing, there is a very small single pane oval window to right on the ground floor and on the first floor. The N face of the W wing repeats that of the E wing, but with two windows to the ground floor (instead of the doorway) and two small basement windows with bars over (that to left is boarded up also). The ‘inner’ E face of the W wing is a mirror image of that to the E wing. The longer E face of the E wing is exposed at basement level. To left at basement level there are two windows with bars over (both 12/8). To right of these there is a square projecting bay, which reaches to first floor level and is topped with a plain parapet (which obscures its roof). The bay is finished in lined render. To the basement (i.e. actual ground level) of the E face of the bay there is an arched opening, to ground floor there is a narrow-ish window (4/4), with a similar window to first floor. To right of the bay there is a larger ground floor window (9/6) with a taller opening to right again reached by a flight of stone steps with wrought iron railings. This taller opening was undoubtedly a door at some point but is now filled with a Georgian-paned ‘window’ which is to all intents and purpose fixed light but one of whose panes contains a cunningly disguised casement opening. The flight of stone steps has two crude ‘segmental’ headed archways cut into its (E) side (now used a shelters for dustbins). At the back of each opening there is a small window. To the first floor of the E face of the E wing there are four windows, two either side of the bay and all 9/6. To the attic level there are three flat roofed half-dormers, all with double windows (all 1/1), except that to far right which has a single window. The W face of the W wing is also exposed at basement level. At this level there are five unevenly spaced windows, all 12/8 but with bars over. To the ground floor there are four symmetrically arranged taller windows to the centre (all 9/6). The first floor as an identical arrangement but with a tiny oval window roughly to the centre (i.e. between the 2nd and 3rd windows). This tiny window is as that to the front ‘inner’ faces of both the E and W wings- see above. To the second (attic) floor there are five small symmetrically arranged windows (all 6/3). The rear elevation is also exposed at basement level and has a complex appearance. To far left is the rear face of the W wing with the rear face of the E wing to far right. To the centre is the recessed portion which has a large single storey (over basement) projecting gabled section to its centre right. The elevation has witnessed some alteration in the later 19th century when an extension was added, but this was removed during the 1930s renovations and the rear now probably appears much as it did in the early 1800s. The rear face of the W wing has two windows to basement level (both 12/8). The left hand window is largely obscured by shrub growth. To the ground floor there two tall narrow windows, with two more to the first floor (all 4/4). To the second floor there are two much smaller windows (both 4/2). To the narrow E face of the W wing there is a segmental-headed sash window to the ground floor (4/4)- this opening may once have been a doorway. To the immediate right of the W wing, (in front of the left side of the central recessed section), is a raised ‘terrace’ area which stretches over to the projecting gabled section, where there is a relatively recent looking quarter circle reducing flight of steps. To the left of the steps (i.e. to the basement level underneath the terrace) there are two segmental headed window openings with bars over. To the ground floor left on the central recessed section there is a large tripartite window (2/2, 6/6, 2/2) flanked by very narrow windows (both 2/2). To far right on this section (i.e. to right of the gabled projection) the basement level is exposed. Here there is a very small four pane window with bars over. Directly above this is a very tall stairwell window with semicircular arched head (12/9). To the left and centre on the first floor left there are three windows (6/6). At attic level there is a fixed light tripartite window to far left (2, 6, 2). To right of this there were originally (i.e. pre 1790s) two more similar sized windows but these were removed (with the heightening of the first floor level) and all that remains are their recesses and thin cills. To the W face of the gabled projection, (which, because of the terrace level is largely single storey), there is a six panel doorway with (relatively recent) classical cement rendered surround with large broken pediment on curved brackets. To the S facing gable (which is exposed at basement level) there is a tall segmental headed window (9/6) to the centre of the ground floor, with cement render surround with lugs and moulding above. To right at basement level there is a small narrow window with small lattice panes. The gable itself has a parapet with moulding forming it into a broken pediment. To the E face there is a timber sheeted door to right at basement level and a small 2/2 window to left at ground floor level. The rear face of the E wing is actually broader than that of the W wing as it was extended to the left hand (W) end at some point [possibly the late 19th century]. This extension is full height but very narrow and topped with a plain parapet which hides its roof [which may be flat]. To basement level of the rear face of the E wing there are three small windows (all 4/2). In line with these there are three much taller windows to both the ground and the first floors (all 4/4). To the ‘inner’ W face of the E wing there is a timber sheeted doorway to left at basement level, a small window (4/2) to left at ground floor level, and a taller window (4/4) to left at first floor level. The entire façade (apart from the projection to E face of the E wing) is finished in unpainted roughcast with a moulded and dentilled eaves course. The hipped roof is slated with a large skylight to the centre of the S ridge of the central section. This helps light the stairwell / landing and has stained glass with coats of arms of the Perceval and Maxwell families thereon. Small cast iron skylight to NW corner of roof of E wing. There are four large rendered chimneystacks (of varying size), with the main central stacks set lengthways on the ridge. A stack to the N end of the W wing and one to the N end of the E wing were removed in relatively recent times. Cast iron rw goods with decorative hoppers to front. The ground around the building slopes from N to S and at the E and W sides. To front (N) there is a large expanse of relatively flat lawn whilst a short distance to the E there is a large stable yard complex (which contains a dwelling), with further former outbuildings to the NE, now also converted to a dwelling. Much further to the NE there is a large walled garden of 1802 with several dwellings in and around it, one originally a gardener’s house the others converted sheds etc. To the S is the main drive with a gate lodge at the entrance dating from c.1885.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

According to historian Anthony Malcomson’s introduction to the Perceval-Maxwell Papers held at PRONI, the Finnebrogue estate came into being ‘officially’ the 1628, when the lands comprising it were let in perpetuity to Henry Maxwell by Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Ardglass*. It is not known whether there was a house on the site at this time, however, it has been suggested that in medieval times the townland of Finnebrogue contained a grange (i.e. out farm) belonging to near by Inch Abbey, and consequently that buildings of some kind may have existed in the general area (if not on the exact site of the present dwelling) at this stage. Malcomson states that all extant written documents concerning Henry Maxwell and his relatives, up until 1674 at least, make no reference to Finnebrogue as a family seat, with Henry’s only son Robert referred to as ‘of Killyleagh’. A headstone belonging of 1662 in the grounds of Inch Abbey, recorded in OS Memoirs of c.1836 as marking the grave of Henry Maxwell’s daughter, Ann Wauchope, is said to have referred to Henry is of ‘ye Ince’ [i.e. Inch], indicating that he resided somewhere within the parish, if not at Finnebrogue. The first mention of one of the family as ‘of Finnebrogue’ occurs in a deed of 1699 in which Robert’s son, Henry, is mentioned as such. This all would appear to indicate that the house was built some time between 1674 and 1699, but that a pre 1674 dwelling cannot be ruled out. The extent of the 17th century house is not certain, the current owner believes that it was built in stages, the original dwelling consisting merely of the central section, with the east and west wings added later, making up the H-shaped platform; however, similar shaped houses (with projecting wings either side of the entrance) were common in Ireland in the 1600s (cf Roxborough Castle - which could imply that though the building may have been built in stages, that it assumed its H plan early in its lifetime. The presence of pistol loop-like oval windows on the ‘inner’ faces of the wings hints that they were built in the turbulent 17th century and not later, a theory supported by the remark in the OS Memoirs of c.1836 that the house was at one time ‘a place of defence’. Whatever the case, most sources agree that Finnebrogue had assumed it basic form by the early to mid 1700s. Walter Harris for instance, writing in the early 1740s, refers to it ‘as a good house’, suggesting a substantial structure, whilst a crude depiction of the building on a recently uncovered estate map of 1772, indicates a plan much as today. In 1792, on the death of her brother, Edward Maxwell, the Finnebrogue estate passed to Mrs Dorothea Waring-Maxwell. In the years immediately following this Dorothea embarked upon extensive restoration / renovation of the house itself, which, apparently, had lain vacant for some years and fallen into dilapidation. This work involved major changes to the interior with the attic level of the central section removed to allow the heightening of the first floor and the creation of a piano nobile, the rebuilding of the staircase, the addition of a new service stair to the east wing and the reordering of walls within the west wing to accommodate a passage. Much new neo-classical detailing was added as well as some rococo fireplaces -believed to have been brought from Paris- in the newly created drawing room and library. Externally, dormers which formerly lighted the central attic level were removed, the first floor windows to front enlarged and sash frames installed throughout the building. In ‘(Burke’s) Guide to Irish country houses’ [secondary source no 3] Mark Bence-Jones states that ‘the original high pitched roof was replaced with a roof that was lower, though still high by late 18th century standards, however, this is not mentioned in the (more detailed) description of the house in the ‘Archaeological survey of Co. Down’ [secondary source no.2]. The house is shown on the 1834 OS map with a plan much as today and recorded in the 1838 valuation, with the basic dimensions, again, as today. The OS map also shows the north, south and west wings of the neighbouring stable yard (the west wing of which is indicated on the aforementioned estate map of 1772), the kennel block to the north of this and, further to the north-east, the large walled garden built in 1802 by Dorothea’s husband, John Waring-Maxwell. The estate farmyard, to the far north-east of the side of the Killyleagh Road, is also shown. The OS Memoirs of c.1836 refer to Finnebrogue as ‘a fine old house…erected on very low ground’. In the half century following the 1830s the house appears to have altered very little, though an east wing was added to the stable yard, a gardener’s house built the north side of the walled garden, and the farmyard expanded between c.1834 and c.1858. Additions were made to the rear of the house in the later 19th century, probably by Robert Perceval-Maxwell (Dorothea Waring-Maxwell’s grandson who inherited the estate after the death of his uncle, John Waring-Maxwell Jnr., in 1869). The exact extent and the date of these alterations is not clear, as, strangely, they are not recorded in the valuation revision books, however they may have included the narrow extension to the south-western corner of the east wing and the equally narrow projection to the centre of the same wing’s east face (both of which remain). Map evidence suggests that the major extension appears to have to the rear (south) of the central section, on the site of the present terrace. The ‘Arts & Crafts’ style timber fire surrounds in the main hallway and sitting room (then the dining room), may have been installed at this time also. These changes may have been executed in c.1885, at the same time as the building of the gate lodge to the main entrance to the south. The last significant alterations to the building occurred in 1934-36 when John Robert Perceval-Maxwell demolished much the late 19th century extensions to the rear, added a new service stair to the north-east corner of the west wing and remodelled the room to the immediate west of the back (stair) hall- creating the present informal sitting area. Following the death of John Robert Perceval-Maxwell in 1963 the 1,000 acre Finnebrogue demesne and home farm, apart from the house and 45 acres immediately surrounding it, was sold. In 1996 Finnebrogue House, too, passed out of family possession. [*In his 1927 book ‘City of Downe’, R.E. Parkinson states that Henry Maxwell was granted land north of Downpatrick (including the townlands of Ballyrenan, Dunanely and Magheracranmoney) by his brother-in-law, ‘John Echlin of Finnebrogue’ some time after 1633. This would appear to imply that John Echlin was either living at, or was in possession of, Finnebrogue in the 1630s at least, and that there must have been a dwelling here at this point. Local folk memory (recounted by a former gardener at Finnebrogue, Dick Kelly, and recorded by local resident, Eileen Halliday) suggests that the Echlin’s had a small house at Finnebrogue in the early 1600s- a, (probably vernacular), single storey dwelling locally known as the ‘White House’ (because of its whitewashed façade). Apparently, John Echlin gave this house to his brother-in-law Henry Maxwell, after the latter’s house at Inch had been destroyed in the 1641 Rebellion. This all appears to imply that the Echlins may have owned or leased the townland of Finnebrogue prior to 1641- but this does not square with the available documentary evidence discussed above.] References- Primary sources 1 PRONI T.1023, D.1556, D.2480, D.3244, D.3817, D.4218 Perceval-Maxwell Papers, 1606-1969 [D.4218, the most recent deposit, has not as yet (October 2001) been catalogued in detail. It includes a tin box full of estate maps among which is a bound volume entitled ‘A mapp book of Finabrogue estate- survey’d anno 1772 for Mrs Ann Maxwell by Patrick Savage’. This survey contains a small crude drawing of the house at that date.] 2 Walter Harris, ‘The ancient and present state of the County of Down’ (Dublin, 1744), p.39 3 ‘Taylor’s and Skinner’s maps of the roads of Ireland’ (Dublin, 1777), map 282 4 PRONI OS/6/3/30/1 6in OS map, Co Down, sh 30, 1834 5 PRONI OS/6/3/31/1 6in OS map, Co Down, sh 31, 1834 6 PRONI VAL.1B/372 First valuation, Inch parish, 1838 7 ‘Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland’ vol.17, ed Angelique Day and Patrick McWilliams (QUB, 1992), pp.74-75 8 PRONI OS/6/3/30/2 6in OS map, Co Down, sh 30, 1858 9 PRONI OS/6/3/31/2 6in OS map, Co Down, sh 31, 1858 10 PRONI VAL.2B/3/74 Second valuation notebook, Inch Parish, 1861 11 PRONI VAL.12B/18/13a-d Annual valuation revision books, 1864-79, 1880-97, 1898-1911, 1912-29 12 PRONI OS/6/3/30/3 6in OS map, Co Down, sh 30, c.1901 13 PRONI OS/6/3/31/3 6in OS map, Co Down, sh 31, c.1901 Secondary sources 1 R.E. Parkinson, ‘City of Downe’ (Belfast, 1927; reprint Bangor, 1977), p.35 2 ‘Archaeological survey of Co. Down (Belfast, HMSO, 1966), pp.362-63 etc. 3 Mark Bence-Jones, ‘(Burke’s) Guide to Irish country houses (updated edition, London, 1988), p.125 4 Anthony M. Wilson, ‘Saint Patrick’s town’ (Belfast, 1995), pp.30, 98, 99, 111, 134, 141, 142, 148, 151, 154, 209 5 Anthony Malcomson, The Perceval-Maxwell Papers- Introduction (1997) [Available at PRONI]

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

X. Local Interest Z. Rarity V. Authorship

Evaluation

Important large, part two, part three storey, hipped roof country house originally dating from the mid to later 17th century, but extensively remodelled internally, and to a lesser extent, externally, in the 1790s, with some changes to the rear in c.1880s largely cleared away in the 1930s. The building is roughly H-shaped, with a recessed central entrance section and projecting side wings. The central portion contains two floors whereas the wings have three- the attic level (and dormer windows) to the centre removed in the 1790s to permit the heightening of the first floor rooms. The slightly battered walls are roughcasted, the roof slated, almost all windows Georgian-paned sashes, and the remaining tall prominent chimneystacks rendered.

General Comments

In the first survey this record was numbered HB18/18/001.

Date of Survey

28 September 2001