Survey Data
Reg No
40819024
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural
Previous Name
The Lodge
Original Use
Gate lodge
Historical Use
House
Date
1835 - 1845
Coordinates
229787, 428037
Date Recorded
28/09/2010
Date Updated
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Description
Detached three-bay single-storey gate lodge serving the main entrance to Rathmullan House (see 40819012), built c. 1841, having projecting distyle Roman Doric pedimented entrance porch to the centre of the main elevation (north), and with later single-bay canted bay window to the west elevation, added c. 1870. Later in use as a private house, currently out of use. Shallow hipped natural slate roof with overhanging bracket eaves, moulded clay ridge tiles, central rendered chimneystack having terracotta clay pots over, and with cast-iron rainwater goods. Pitched natural slate roof to porch with Smooth rendered ruled-and-line walls over projecting painted ashlar plinth, and with ashlar block-and-start quoins to the corners. Square-headed window openings, now blocked, having stone sills, and formerly (or covered) remains of six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Square-headed window openings to canted bay, now blocked. Square-headed doorway to porch having battened timber door and brass door furniture. Distyle Roman Doric entrance porch having ashlar Roman Doric columns on ashlar plinths supporting entablature over surmounted by pediment. Doorway flanked by Doric pilasters and moulded plinths. Set back from road to the south-east of attendant gateway (see 40819025), and at the start of long approach avenue to Rathmullan House (see 40819012) to the north-east. Located to the north of Rathmullan.
Appraisal
This impressive and appealing gate lodge was originally built to serve the main entrance to Rathmullan House (see 40819012) with which it forms part of an interesting group of related structures. It is the most impressive of the two gate lodges serving entrances to the main house (see 40819023 to other gate lodge to the north). This building is classically-proportioned with low hipped roof with overhanging eaves and central chimneystack, regular openings, and with a well-detailed distyle Roman Doric pedimented entrance porch providing a central focus to the main elevation. Although sadly now out of use, it retains much of its salient fabric including natural slate roof and battened timber door while the blocked window openings probably retain the sash windows that were insitu until recently. Its front elevation is enhanced by the cut stone detailing to the porch, the ashlar eaves course and the projecting ashlar plinth. This lodge was one of two built around 1841 by Thomas Batt who also extended Rathmullan House around the same time. The original architect is not known but its design is reminiscent to the work of Thomas Jackson (1807-90), a Belfast based architect who worked extensively in Ulster from the 1830s until the 1880s, work that included the designs for many Italianate and classical buildings for the Ulster Bank. Sensitively restored, this building would make a strongly positive contribution to the streetscape to the north of Rathmullan, and remains an integral element of the built heritage of the local area even in its current condition. It forms a pair of related structures along with the attendant gateway (see 40819025) to the north-west that together create a suitable impressive first impression when entering the grounds of Rathmullan House.