Doagh Masonic Hall, Church Lane, Doagh, Co Antrim

Doagh Masonic Hall

Doagh Masonic Lodge is a detached three-bay two-storey Masonic hall built around 1898, located on the east side of Church Lane in Doagh, County Antrim. It faces west and remains an impressive structure, though it represents a late example of the type and is not among the finest specimens.

The rectangular hall is aligned east-west with a gabled roof to the east and hipped roof to the west, naturally slated with black clay ridge tiles. Rainwater goods are uPVC. The walls are cement rendered with ruled and lined finish and a rendered plinth. All mouldings appear to be precast and rendered.

The principal west elevation features three bays arranged about a central doorway. Ground floor openings have square heads with sweeping heads, while first floor windows are round-headed with keystones and moulded architraves. All windows are timber top-hung casements with cast moulded aprons. A date stone at the apex reads 'AD 1898'.

The entrance comprises Greek Ionic pilasters surmounted by a round-headed moulded frieze with central shield and swag moulding. Above this sits a cornice. The replacement nine-panel door features a central brass knob and boarded fanlight, accessed by a raised flagged step.

A dentilated entablature supports a raised balustraded parapet with four pedestals connected by moulded cornice, each surmounted by precast ball finials. The parapet continues around the north and south elevations.

The north elevation is partly enclosed by fencing and has two partially blocked replacement windows to the ground floor. The east gable ground floor could not be inspected. The first floor has a modern fire escape and two oculus windows, the central one slightly higher. The south elevation is also enclosed by fencing, with ground floor windows matching those on the north and one square-headed window to the first floor. A single cast iron rainwater hopper is positioned to the left of the ground floor windows.

The hall is enclosed to the road by a balustraded wall with saddle-back coping in similar style to the parapet. Access is via a cast metal gate on square pillars with pointed caps.

Historical records indicate the building was renovated in 1909 by architect Thomas J. Houston, though it continues to bear the date 1898 on its façade.