Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/07/010

Address :
51 Main Street Hilltown Newry Co Down BT34 5UJ

Townland:
Carcullion

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
22/09/1981 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
House

Former Use
Rectories/ Manses etc

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
253/16

IG Ref:
J2131 2894

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

Late 18th C two-storey (+ attic)/ three-bay/ double-pile former Church of Ireland rectory on S side of Main Street. Pitched natural slate roofs with semicircular metal gutters (downpipe on left of façade) on an inappropriate modern timber fascia. Each pile has a cement rendered and coped chimney to each gable. Front pitch of the right gable on the rear pile has rendered skews. Walls are lined cement rendered with a chamfered painted base course. Front elevation is N facing and central bay is narrower than the others and contains the main entrance. A single granite step rises to a reproduction stained timber door with nine raised and fielded panels (top three square). Over is a rectangular transom light with Gothic glazing bars. All are set with a broad timber frame. On wall to left and right are modern coach lamps. Ground floor left and right bays each have a pair of 6/6 reproduction sliding sashes (with horns), exposed boxes and painted cills. Left and right bays at first floor have similar windows, with a single one to central bay (over the door). Modern telephone cables abut the centre of façade. Left gable of front pile is blank and has an advanced chimney breast to centre. Left gable of rear pile has two 4/4 sliding sashes to ground floor, two 6/6 to first floor, and a small 2/2 in the gable (to right); all are detailed as those to façade. Rear elevation is abutted to centre by a narrow two-stage/ two-storey return, the right section of which is lower and carries a metal water tank on its flat roof. Remaining wall of main block to left of return is abutted by a single storey extension; blank above. Exposed section of wall to right is blank. Roof of the left section of return is pitched and natural slated, with boxed eaves and modern plastic rainwater goods. Its rear (south) wall has a sheeted over rectangular opening at ground level, a 4/4 sash between G/F and F/F, and a 6/6 sash between S/F and attic (indicating a stairwell). Left cheek not inspected. Right section of return is blank save for a modern top-hung 1/1 window between G/F and F/F on right cheek. Right gable of the front pile is blank and the shared valley with the rear pitch has been built up. Rear pile has a 4/2 sash at ground floor left, two 6/6 sashes to first floor, and two 2/2 sashes in attic. Front garden is enclosed to street (N) by a rusticated concrete block wall with matching gate piers. These support modern wrought iron gates to left and a small pedestrian gate to right (as viewed from street). W and E boundaries are enclosed by hedges and drive runs up left gable of house with path to front door. Lawn has mature trees and shrubs. There is a paddock planted with mature trees to E and to W a similar paddock upon which a post-War petrol filling station has been built. At top of drive is a gateway framed by a pair of tall dashed rubble stone piers with chamfered ashlar copings, and rounded fieldstone finials. From these hang wrought iron gates (early 20th C), the right one of which is damaged. Yard to rear of house is enclosed to S by a range of single storey outbuildings with natural slate roofs and whitewashed rubble stone walls. Its W boundary is a blank rubble wall. Its E boundary is enclosed by a single storey / single bay outbuilding and gateway, the piers of which are dashed and painted rubble stone with steep pyramidal copings. Gates are flat iron with dog bars and decorative heads. To its left (S) is a pedestrian entrance. Now without its gate. Yard has a concrete floor.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

Probably contemporary with St John’s Church of Ireland, with which it is associated and which was erected by the Marquis of Downshire in 1766 (HB 16/07/01). Appears on Byer’s map of 1797 and an estate map of 1803. Cited as parsonage on 1834 OS 6” map (and as rectory in 1902 edition). Occupied by Rev James Annesley Beers in 1835. Then measured 41ft x 39ft x 21ft, with a 10ft 6in x 7ft x 20ft return. This corresponds with the rear section, indicating that the front pile is a later addition. The building is believed to have ceased use as a Rectory early in 20th c. Primary sources: 1. Byer’s map of Upper Iveagh, 1797 (PRONI: D671/M7/5A). 2. Map of Carquillan, 1803 (PRONI: D671/M1/21; also D671/M7/13). 3. OS 6” map, 1834, Co Down sheet 48. 4. First valuation book, 1835 (PRONI: VAL 1B/ 354, p.31 and 142). 5. First valuation map (PRONI: VAL 1D/3/10). 6. OS 6” map, 1902, Co Down sheet 48. 7. Information from owner in 1999.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion D. Plan Form

Historic Interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A sizeable late 18th century house retaining much architectural character and having a historical connection with the local parish church.

General Comments

Date of Survey

16 March 1999