Ballydrehid House

Detached seven-bay two-storey country house, built c. 1780, incorporating possible seventeenth-century structure within slightly lower three-bay two-storey rear block to south-east. Single-bay two-storey flat-roofed extension to east end of façade links two blocks. Two-bay single-storey lean-to addition with slate roof to rear of main block, with conservatory to west gable. Hipped slate roof to main block, pitched to earlier block, with rendered chimneystacks, that to earlier block being stout. Painted roughcast rendered walls, with limestone plinth course to front elevation of main block. Narrow square-headed window openings with four-over-four pane timber sliding sash windows and limestone sills. Square-headed openings with replacement timber windows to extensions. Two-over-two pane timber sliding sash and casement windows to rear elevation of earlier block. Entrance comprises carved limestone doorcase having raised moulded surround to opening, moulded cornice and timber panelled door with cobweb fanlight detail to overlight. Lawns to front of house. Two-bay single-storey outbuilding to west having pitched corrugated-iron roof with painted render over coursed rubble sandstone masonry walls, with lean-to extensions. Yard bounded by coursed rubble sandstone masonry walls with double-leaf cast-iron gates.

Set in a mature landscape, the classical proportions and simple external decoration of this house enhance its form and scale. The finely carved limestone plinth course emphasises the horizontal of the house. The skilfully carved and well designed limestone doorcase provides an aesthetically pleasing central focus to the building. The entrance serves as a reminder of the quality of craftsmanship of eighteenth century masons. The earlier block serves to illustrate domestic use of the site over several centuries. The setting of the house is enhanced by the related outbuildings to the site.