Survey Data
Reg No
40824013
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social
Previous Name
Newtowncunningham Railway Station
Original Use
Railway station
In Use As
House
Date
1880 - 1885
Coordinates
230000, 416812
Date Recorded
12/09/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey former railway station, built c. 1883. Now in use as a private house (line closed 1953) with later single-bay single-storey porch extension to centre of the front elevation (north-east), and later extensions to the rear (south-west) and to the north-west gable end. Pitched artificial slate roof (fibre cement) having exposed decorative rafter ends to eaves, grey clay ridge tiles , smooth rendered chimneystacks to gable ends (north-west and south-east) with red clay pots over, decorative timber bargeboards to gables with trefoil perforations, and with metal rainwater goods. Smooth rendered ruled-and-lined walls over smooth rendered plinth course with a horizontal smooth rendered band running around building to upper floor, and with moulded rendered stringcourse at ground floor level brought over window heads as architrave. Square-headed window openings with smooth rendered reveals, painted stone sills, and with one-over-one pane horned timber sliding sash windows having margin glazing bars; timber casement window with margin glazing bars to central bay of front elevation (north-east) at first floor level. Central square-headed door opening to front elevation with smooth rendered reveals, replacement timber double-doors, and original square-headed sidelights with margin glazing bars, all enclosed within modern porch. Set back from road with gravel drive running to roadway to the north-east. Garden to the front of site and garage to rear (south-west) built partially over site of former railway line. Former railway water tower (see 40824014) to the north-west. Located in the rural countryside to the north-west of Newtowncunningham.
Appraisal
This handsome and well-proportioned former railway station, originally built in 1883, retains much of its original form and character despite some modern alterations and additions. Its visual appeal is enhanced by the retention of salient fabric such as the timber sliding sash windows with margin glazing bars. The front elevations is enlivened by the subdued render detailing particularly by the moulded render stringcourse at ground floor level that is brought over window openings as architraved surround. The exposed rafter ends and the pierced timber bargeboards with trefoil perforations help to add some decorative interest at roofscape level. The construction of this building gives an idea of the quality of architecture seen in the development of the railways in the second half of the nineteenth century. This railway station was built as part of the Londonderry\Derry (Middle Quay) to Burtonport line, which was originally contrived by the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway Company. This section, Burt Junction to Letterkenny, was opened in June 1883 by the Letterkenny Railway Company; the Letterkenny to Burtonport section was opened later in March 1903 by the Letterkenny & Burtonport Extension Railway Company. This section of line (Burt Junction to Letterkenny) closed completely in 1953. This line was built to the 3ft narrow gauge. This former railway station is one of the better surviving examples of its type in Donegal, and now acts as an interesting historical reminder of the formerly extensive railway network in County Donegal, and is an integral element of the built heritage of the Newtowncunningham area and of the wider transport heritage of the county. It forms a pair of related sites with the former railway water tank (see 40824014 to the north of the site. There was formerly a large goods shed to the east of site, now demolished.