13 Abbey Road, Grangee, Millisle, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 [?2BP]

This is a simple, single-story farmhouse likely dating to the early 19th century, now in a severely dilapidated condition. It sits on a slight rise on the west side of Abbey Road, just south of the small hamlet of Ballyfrenis. The front, or east, facade is largely hidden by overgrown vegetation. A timber-sheeted door, originally with a fanlight that is now broken, is positioned to the left of center. To the left of the door are two blocked window openings with plain surrounds, and to the right of the door is another blocked window. The remainder of the facade is concealed by greenery. The north gable has two small attic windows high within the gable, retaining remnants of their sash frames. The south gable is blank. The rear facade is partly obscured by vegetation and features a recently constructed lean-to projection in the center, with a sheeted door facing south and a modern window facing west. The pitched roof is covered in Bangor blue slates, and there are three small, rendered chimney stacks. Four small cast iron skylights are located on the left side of the roof, as viewed from the front. The facade is primarily finished in rough cast, with remnants of cast iron rainwater goods. Dilapidated outbuildings are situated to the south and west of the house.

A building is depicted on Ordnance Survey maps from 1833/4 and 1858-60, likely representing the existing farmhouse. The outbuildings to the south are also shown on these maps. The 1858-60 map indicates a standing stone just west of the site, which is no longer present. The house appears to have been abandoned sometime after 1973. Valuation records from the 1830s, Ordnance Survey maps from 1833/4 and 1858-60, and Griffith’s valuation from 1863, all held at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), provide further information.