5 Coastguard Cottages, Helen's Bay, Bangor, Co. Down, BT19 1JY

A gabled two-storey, two-bay mid-terrace red brick former coastguard cottage, built 1856 located on the south shores of Belfast Lough to the west of Helens Bay. Number 5 now also encompasses number 6, having been converted into a single dwelling and is rectangular on plan with single storey return to rear. Pitched natural slate roof with raised stone gables; brick chimneystack with decorative terracotta pots. Walling is Flemish bonded red brick with decorative yellow and black ‘V’ and ‘X’ pattern tiles, and tiled course to ground floor; shared niche to left and right with pointed timber arch. Windows are timber replacements, leaded to top panes, with flat brick lintels; first floor also has pointed timber arch above square headed brick lintel. Cast-iron half-round rainwater goods with drive-in brackets and hoppers on overhanging sandstone eaves with red brick corbels: uPVC rainwater goods to rear return. The principal elevation faces north having double gable (since conversion into two) each a single opening wide; the two original entrance doors remain, each having timber boarding and decorative cast-iron hinges and door furniture, topped by pointed arch over light. The east elevation is abutted by adjoining building, HB 23/15/044F. The south (rear) elevation is painted and has four window openings to first floor. Ground floor is abutted to west by modern extension containing double-leaf half-panelled timber door and skylights to roof: to east the yard is contained within a painted masonry wall with round-headed timber latch gate. The west elevation is abutted by adjoining building, HB 23/15/044C. Setting The house is set down a long private lane to the north west of the Craigdarragh road, Helens Bay. Facing north the terrace has uninterrupted views of Belfast lough and direct access to the beach. There is a large lawned communal garden to front, partially bound by mature trees to North and accessed from the east by a decorative cast-iron gate. To the rear each terrace has a private garden and car-parking. Roof: Natural slate Walling: Brick Windows: Timber RWG: Cast-iron / uPVC.