Blackwater Vale House — Ballyalbany

Detached two-storey U-plan multi-phase farmhouse, comprising four or five-bay north block of c.1790 aligned east-west; five-bay west block of c.1860, having full-height canted bay at south end of west elevation; south block comprising gabled south end of west block, slightly lower gabled projecting entrance bay and flat-roof slightly lower bay of c.1860, and slightly projecting square-plan single-bay block of c.1880 having canted bay window to south. Entrance bay continues back about three bays. Gravel yard to east. Pitched slate roofs with black clay ridges. Brick eaves course holding half-round cast-iron rainwater goods to west and north ranges, and multi-coloured brick chimneystacks with dog-tooth brick cornices and concrete caps. Overhanging verge with chamfered, pierced decorative timber bargeboards to south end of west range and brick-capped parapet gable with moulded kneelers to entrance bay. Pyramidal roof to block of c.1880, with rolled terracotta ridge tiles, tall multi-coloured brick chimneystack to east wall having concrete capping, and smooth rendered cornice holding ogee-profile cast-iron rainwater goods. Painted roughcast rendered walls having smooth rendered plinth to south elevation of north range together with south and west ranges. North elevation of rear range is painted with remnants of roughcast render over brick walls to first floor and rubble stone to ground floor level. Rusticated smooth render quoin strip to south-west corner adjacent to canted bay, latter having mitred slate hips, delicate wrought-iron pinnacle to summit and smooth rendered ruled-and-lined walls. Projecting polychrome brick quoin strips to south elevation of block of c.1880 surmounted by smooth render corner capitals, walls of same block being constructed of painted squared, punch-finished random stone having polychrome brick dressings to openings. Projecting stone plinth to east end of same block. Slate sills to all window openings. Square-headed two-over-two pane and one-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows with convex and ogee horns respectively to most first floor openings, with replacement uPVC or timber frames to most ground floor windows, a few of which have plain smooth render frames around. First floor window to rear of entrance bay has stained leaded glazing. Glazed replacement timber door with cast concrete canopy and sides over square-headed opening. House situated in private lawned garden surrounded by mature shrubs with hard surfaced former public roadway leading past main entrance doorway from painted roughcast rendered square entrance piers with wrought-iron gates west of site leading to road which was realigned during nineteenth century creating present front garden.