P. Gunning

Semi-detached three-bay two-storey house, shop and former post office, built c.1875. Double-pitched natural slate roof with rendered chimneystacks and raised rendered verges to either end (east and west). Cement rendered walls with 'belt buckle' quoins to corners and red and yellow brick dogtooth cornice to eaves. Segmental-headed window openings having stone sills, moulded reveals and one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows. Original timber shutters to first floor windows. Segmental-headed doorcase to eastern end of front façade (south) with timber double timber panelled doors having plain glass overlight. Rendered shopfront to west end of ground floor, c.1900, comprising rendered stallriser with fixed pane windows over, flanking central square-headed doorcase having timber double doors with plain overlight over. Tongue and groove fascia over having raised timber lettering. Interior retains early timber shopfront fixtures and fittings. Road fronted with Petrol pump to foreground and associated house (15401829) adjacent to west.

A well-composed modest-scale house and shop, which retains its early form and massing, and continues to make a positive impression on the historic character of the locality. This traditional building has great charm and is enhanced by the retention of sash windows to the upper floor, timber double doors and the attractive decorative brick cornice. Of particular significance is the survival of the original timber shop fittings to the interior, complete with carved corbels, timber plank ceiling and decorative timber shelving of artistic merit. The survival of early shop interiors is very rare, adding to the importance of this traditional structure. This building is indicated as a post office (Ordnance Survey map 1914), adding to its social importance to the Rathconrath area.