11 Ballyfounder Road, Killydressy, Portaferry, Co Down, BT22 1RE

11 Ballyfounder Road is a fine example of a one-and-a-half storey vernacular farmhouse with outbuildings, likely of pre-1834 origin in its core fabric, though it assumed its present form in the mid-nineteenth century. The property is set at the end of a lane approximately two miles south-east of Portaferry, with the front façade facing roughly east.

The front elevation is asymmetrical, harled and whitewashed. Slightly left of centre is the main entrance, a timber panel door with plain fanlight. Flanking the door are two sash windows with horizontal astragals, and a third sash window with horizontal astragals to the left. The south gable has ground floor and attic windows to the front elevation. The north gable has an attic window. The gabled roof is covered with Bangor blue slates and features stone parapets and four potless yellow brick chimney stacks with simple corbelling. A small skylight is positioned to the front, and a small dormer with segmental arch roof and glazed sides sits to the rear. Cast iron gutters and down spouts are present throughout.

To the rear of the house is a small off-centre lean-to extension with a sash window to the west face with Georgian panes. The north face has a plain timber sheeted back door with a two-pane timber window to the south. Additional windows are arranged across the rear: one to the right of the extension matching the front fenestration, one to the far left of the extension, and between these two a small four-pane square window and a larger square sash window with vertical astragals.

A building has occupied this site since at least the 1834 Ordnance Survey map. The 1838 valuation survey recorded a much longer single-storey dwelling, creating some uncertainty about whether the present structure had not yet been built at that point or was partly demolished. However, comparison of the plan form across the 1834, 1859, and 1901 Ordnance Survey maps shows consistency with the present layout, suggesting the fabric predates 1834 whilst the overall neatness of the façade indicates mid to later nineteenth-century renovation. One Eliza McDonnell is recorded as occupant in both the first valuation of 1838 and that of 1861.

The setting includes extensive and largely intact outbuildings to the north, featuring an elaborate external access feeder for cattle, with smaller outbuildings to the south. A wrought iron gate, probably dating to the early or mid-nineteenth century, marks the entrance. A large corn stack stands to the rear, fully intact. An external water pump is situated on the opposite side of the road.

As of March 2006, the house was undergoing major refurbishment with the owners attempting to retain as much original character as possible. Subsequent works have included partial refurbishment and extension: three larger metal roof lights have been added to the front elevation; the original rear return has been removed and a new two-storey extension constructed, to be finished in natural slates and render to match the main house; the roof construction has been entirely renewed; and a conservatory has been constructed. The outbuildings and corn stack remain unchanged from the original survey.