Dunore House, 8 Crookedstone Road, Aldergrove, Crumlin, Co Antrim, BT29 4EH

Dunore House is a mid-Victorian residence of distinctive proportions and style, built in 1870 and constructed of horizontally channelled Tardree granite. Its principal architectural significance lies in the exceptional neo-Egyptian sculptural and ornamental detailing applied to the main entrance, a feature of comparative rarity in 19th-century British architecture that elevates the building's interest beyond local to national and potentially international significance.

The house is a two-storey, three-bay structure with a gable roof of Bangor blue slates laid in regular courses. Chimneys of channelled rusticated granite feature projecting ashlar bases and projecting plain cornices; an intermediate chimney stands to the left of a central gabled dormer. The walls incorporate a projecting angled plinth, stringcourse, plain projecting platband, and projecting angled eaves course with coved granite corbels returning slightly to each gable. A moulded cast iron gutter returns similarly to each gable.

The south elevation is symmetrical. Windows throughout are rectangular timber, vertically hung sliding sash, 2 over 2 with horns, set in plain reveals. The central dormer is of channelled granite with projecting copings, flanked by weathered buttresses, and surmounted by a truncated granite obelisk. The dormer's central window is flanked by projecting pilasters of tapering form set on pedestals; the dormer cheeks are of lead.

The main entrance is the building's most remarkable feature. A rectangular timber 6-panel door with an original octagonal iron handle is surmounted by a plain rectangular fanlight recessed between sandstone piers faced with pilasters that taper toward the bottom and flare at the base. These piers carry large sculpted sandstone heads in Egyptian Pharaonic style. The two outermost heads represent Rameses II, adorned with Egyptian false beards and bird inscriptions on the torso. The two inner heads are beardless, feature large earrings, and display more elaborate hieroglyphs on the torso. The carved heads support a deeply projecting cornice with plain panels between them. The entrance is flanked by 3-pane sidelights with similar pilasters beyond. Three deep cement render steps lead to the front entrance bay, with a painted iron bootscraper on the bottom step at the right-hand side.

The west elevation is a symmetrical gable, two storeys with attic, containing two windows to each upper floor (sashed as on the entrance front) and three ground-floor windows of rectangular timber two-light casements with three horizontal divisions. Square section cast iron gutters to each extremity feature cruciform brackets, appearing to be replacements. A concrete channel forms the gutter across the base of the gable.

The rear elevation is two-storey with one small original flush rooflight and a short intermediate chimney of concrete brickwork with a modern pot to the left-hand side. The date 1870 is inscribed on the end of the stringcourse within the eastern reveal of the stair window. The elevation is asymmetrical, with sashed windows as on the entrance front, except for a large stair window to the first floor which features a semi-circular arch. A rectangular timber glazed and flush panelled door surmounted by a plain rectangular fanlight is recessed in plain reveals below the stair window. Three circular cast iron soil pipes are visible; PVC downpipes are fitted, with a cast iron downpipe to the left-hand side. A sunken concrete-lined gutter runs along the base of the rear elevation, bridged in places with concrete.

The east elevation is a gable of similar character to the west, with four window openings to the ground floor plus a rectangular doorway to the right-hand extremity. The door is 4-panelled with a plain fanlight. The second window opening from the left is blocked with smooth cement render, lined and blocked. A concrete channel gutter runs along the base of the gable, bridged by concrete and a granite doorstep. A square chimney stack of concrete brickwork with a modern flue pipe has been built immediately in front of the gable to the left-hand side. In front of this stands a low single-storey flat-roofed boiler house of smooth cement rendered walls, lined and blocked, connected to the gable by overhead pipes. It features a small paned metal window, rectangular timber louvred door, and flat felted roof.

The house was built for a member of the McCance family, reputedly Colonel John McCance (later Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal North Down Militia), although the first rated occupier was apparently David McCance. From 1920 to 1927 it was the residence of Reverend Doctor Irwin of Killead Presbyterian Church. During and after the Second World War it served as the official residence of the commanding officer of Aldergrove military aerodrome.

The house stands in a rural setting, facing a minor road but set well back within its own grounds. A tarmac area fronts the house with paths leading to the west side and rear, surrounded by lawns bordered by mature trees and shrubs. The front boundary is formed by a hedge with a meadow beyond, and a stream crosses the lawns in front of the house. Access is by a rough driveway leading over a twin-arched masonry bridge of segmental arches with tall rubble basalt parapet, continuing to a similar boundary wall containing a square-piered gateway (gates now missing). The original rural setting remains largely unspoiled.

To the east of the house is a small enclosed concrete yard containing single-storey brick and basalt rubble outbuildings, with a non-functioning 19th-century iron water pump. Beyond this lies a larger yard with a group of rendered farm sheds with corrugated asbestos roofs.

The house has lost some original interior features, though the building retains significant architectural and historical interest. The listing includes the house, bridge, walling and gate piers.