Ballaghmore Lower

Situated on the brow of a low hill. Shown as a small rectangular building with outbuildings, approached by a narrow tree-lined avenue on 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Site comprises the remains of a plain, rectangular, two-storey, four-bay early eighteenth-century house (ext. dims 10.5m N-S x 6.75m E-W ; wall T 0.68m) with attic, the E wall of which incorporates seventeenth century features. The house is constructed from roughly coursed limestone rubble, formerly rendered with plaster and lined internally with brick at S end. Presently in use as a hayshed. A single storey extension (ext. dims. 10m N-S x 6.75m E-W), of which only the wall footings of the E and W walls are now discernible, adjoins the main body of the house on its N side. Rudimentary remains of wall footings to W of house suggests the former presence of accompanying outbuildings. Walls of house stand to full height with steep pitched N and S gable ends. The E wall is dominated by a broad chimney projection (Wth 2.73m; D 0.55m) positioned at its S end and surmounted by a stout chimney stack trimmed with brick string course. A moulded cornice skirts the top of the E and W sidewalls. At the N end, the house is divided internally by a wall running E-W, the smaller area to the N functioning as a vestibule accomodating what was likely a wooden staircase. There is no clear evidence of the position of the former entrance, but may have been located at the N end of the W wall. Notable lack of windows in the N gable and E wall. The windows in the W wall have brick reveals. A small round headed niche, partially lined with brick, occurs at first floor level at N end of W wall.