’The Brig’, 59 Killinakin Road, Killinchy, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 6QJ

The property, known locally as ‘The Brig’, is a largely unremarkable two-storey house of probable late 19th century origin, situated on the east side of Killinakin Road, approximately one mile north of the village of Killinchy. A large return was added in 1941, and a single-storey extension around 1990.

The front, west-facing facade has an asymmetrical arrangement that initially appears symmetrical. A panelled and glazed front door is centrally positioned, flanked by windows, now with PVC frames. Two similar windows are located on the first floor above. The south gable is blank, while the north gable features a window similar to those on the front elevation on the ground floor.

The rear of the house is dominated by a large, two-storey gabled return, added in 1941, featuring large modern PVC windows and a modern rear door. A further single-storey gabled extension, with similar windows and a door, projects from the rear gable of this return. The rear facade of the original house has a single window, mirroring the front elevation, on the first floor. The entire facade is finished in rough cast and painted, except for the front south gable, which is unpainted and covered in climbing plant growth.

The main roof and the return roof are covered in Bangor blue slates, with two yellow brick chimneys, each with matching parapets, rising from the main roof. A single rendered chimney is located on the return. The single-storey extension’s roof is covered in asbestos-free slates. Windows are predominantly PVC.

OS maps from 1834 and 1859-60 show a building on this site, but its size and orientation differ significantly from the current dwelling, indicating the present house was constructed after 1860.