Gates and railings, Killead Presbyterian Church, Killead Road, Aldergrove, Crumlin, Co Antrim

This is a set of well-proportioned wrought iron gates and railings dating to the Edwardian era (1900-1919), designed in an ornamental style typical of the period. They contribute to the setting of the listed Killead Presbyterian Church (HB20/14/008A) and the listed Cunningham Memorial (HB20/14/009), and hold group value.

The gates and railings form the main entrance to the Killead Presbyterian churchyard, enclosing the east and north sides. The main gateway consists of a pair of wrought iron gates with a scrolling design, mounted on a pair of tall cast iron pillars. The pillars feature moulded bases, recessed panels with stylised sunflower designs, and moulded caps with ball finials. The railings are primarily of a plain pattern with decorative finials, but incorporate elaborate scrolling designs at the stays. The base of the railings sits upon a low plinth wall constructed of basalt rubble, topped with rendered copings of a humped profile. A datestone inscribed with the date ‘1902’ is located next to the more northern gate pier. The stays are marked with ‘RIW Ltd’ on their rear side. The railings border a short rendered wall at the south-east corner of the grounds, curve around the north-east corner, and terminate at the north-west corner against the west boundary wall.

In 1963, the gates and railings were set back approximately two metres all around to accommodate a public footpath. The churchyard enclosed by the gates and railings contains a church, numerous memorials, and is landscaped with grass and yew trees.