Ballycastle House

Detached three-bay two-storey farmhouse, extant 1838, on a symmetrical plan centred on single-bay single-storey gabled projecting glazed porch to ground floor. Refenestrated, ----. Hipped slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, paired rendered, ruled and lined central chimney stacks having stringcourses below corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta tapered pots, slightly sproketed or swept eaves, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered cut-limestone eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Creeper- or ivy-covered fine roughcast walls. Hipped segmental-headed central door opening with concealed dressings framing glazed timber panelled door having sidelights below oversailing overlight. Square-headed window openings centred on square-headed window opening originally in bipartite or tripartite arrangement (first floor) with square-headed window openings to rear (west) elevation centred on round-headed window opening (first floor), dragged cut-limestone sills, and concealed dressings framing replacement uPVC casement windows replacing six-over-six timber sash windows. Set in unkempt landscaped grounds with repointed cut-limestone diagonal piers to perimeter having stringcourses below capping supporting spear head-detailed flat iron double gates.

A farmhouse representing an integral component of the domestic built heritage of Ballycastle with the architectural value of the composition, one rooted firmly in the contemporary late Georgian fashion, confirmed by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form centred on an elegant doorcase; and the somewhat disproportionate bias of solid to void in the massing compounded by the slight diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a feint graduated visual impression. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior: the introduction of replacement fittings to most of the openings, however, has not had a beneficial impact on the character or integrity of the composition. Nevertheless, adjacent outbuildings showing a so-called "Lackan Stone" or "Mayo Slate" finish continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of a self-contained ensemble making a pleasing visual statement in a rural village street scene.