Ballyvester House, 84 Ballyvester Road, Ballyvester, Donaghadee, Co. Down

Ballyvester House is a substantial two-storey farmhouse with an attic, situated approximately two kilometres south-west of Donaghadee town centre on the south side of Ballyvester Road. The building represents a complex evolution spanning from the early seventeenth century to the early twentieth century, with the structure we see today largely the product of early eighteenth-century remodelling within a Georgian architectural overcoat.

The house originates from the early seventeenth century, though the fabric has undergone at least two major alterations. In the early eighteenth century, the earlier dwelling was substantially remodelled with the addition of an eastern section, repositioning of the stair, and introduction of a large reception room. The next major alteration occurred around 1890 with the addition of a rear return. While it has been suggested the original dwelling was a tower house, the dimensions of the earliest section make this unlikely. It may have been a type of bawn house with a taller tower-like portion, though such dwellings do not appear to have been common in this area of Ulster, and no trace of a former bawn survives.

The front north elevation is symmetrical with a central six-panelled front door flanked by fluted and blocked pilasters and a semi-circular archivolt containing a spider's web fanlight. To either side are sliding sash windows with Georgian panes. The window immediately to the left of the door is a dummy window. The upper sash of the window to the left of this is partly obscured internally by a high-level water cistern. A small modern lean-to garage with an up-and-over door projects from the right side. At first floor are five equally spaced similar windows, all six-over-six panes, with the two left-hand windows being dummy.

The east elevation is also symmetrical, with two sliding sash windows to the first floor and two shorter similar windows to the attic. The first-floor windows on this elevation are considerably lower than those on the front elevation, as the main lounge opens off the half landing at this level.

The rear south elevation is more complex. Left of centre is a two-storey gabled return. To the right of the return is a small lean-to modern conservatory, above which are two first-floor windows: the left is a round-headed multi-paned fixed light and the right a drop-hung sash. At second floor is a small top-hung window with Georgian panes. To the left of the return is a modern glazed door to ground floor with a sliding sash window above to first floor. To the east side of the return are two small windows: the lower has horizontal astragals only, whilst the upper is a larger standard sash. The south gable of the return has no windows but features a potless chimney at the apex, with a modern weather vane attached to the chimney stack. Guttering traverses the gable. The west side of the return has a modern casement window to the first floor. The rear of the lean-to garage is at the extreme right of the elevation and has no openings.

The west side of the garage adjoins a number of outhouses which, though old, are of poor quality. The west gable has one small modern top-hung timber window to the left-hand side; previously there was a matching window to the right, now blocked. The gables to the main house both have potless chimneys. Cast iron gutters and downspouts are throughout. Bangor blue slates cover the roof. The external wall finish is mainly painted rubble construction, with parts of the rear and gables rendered and painted. The detailing of the stonework to the west side differs from that to the east, suggesting construction at different stages or partial rebuilding. Windows to the front west side sit almost flush with the elevation, whilst those to the east have well-defined reveals. The west gable has stone coping to the parapet; the east gable has none.

The house has a documented long history. Deeds stretch back to 1624 when the house and lands of Ballyvester were passed from Hugh Montgomery, who had earlier acquired possession of the Ards and much of its hinterland, to William and Archibald Edmonstone. Six years later the Edmonstones sold the entire property to William Catherwood for £612 and a rent of £9 per annum. The house remained in Catherwood family possession until 1828, when it passed through a number of owners including the family of James Craig, who later became Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. The present occupants acquired the house in 1961.

The earliest stonework is discernibly different from later coursing, and the earlier window reveals are much shallower than subsequent work. The unusual internal arrangement and front facade reflect the building's complex evolution, with a sunken kitchen below the grand lounge creating an unconventional spatial arrangement pressed into a Georgian facade where dummy windows were employed to create an impression of symmetry.