23-24 The Square, Portaferry, Co Down, BT22 1LP

A tall three-storey end of terrace house of probable 18th century origin, prominently sited at the south-east corner of Portaferry town square. Despite modern alterations, the building retains its special character and is known locally as 'The Rock' because it is constructed partly upon a natural rock outcrop.

The building likely dates to the mid or later 18th century. It appears on Patrick O'Hare's map of Portaferry of 1799, when it was in the possession of Widow Moreland. The 1838 valuation returns record a three-storey house with a gateway at this location in the hands of Henry Moreland. The building remained under Moreland family ownership until at least 1863, when it was rented to Jane Wilson. Much of the ground floor was converted to a shop around 1900, initially selling confectionery, while a pony and trap hiring company also operated from the premises in the early 1900s.

The front west elevation is asymmetrical. At ground floor level, a five-panel timber door (4 over 1 panes) with scumble effect stands to the left, whilst a modern timber shop front occupies the right portion. The first floor contains three sash windows with horns and no astragals, set beneath stone cills with smooth cement surrounds. The window box frames may be original. The second floor has three modern windows, reduced in height to match the first floor pattern. The roof is gabled and covered with Bangor blue slates, with timber fascia, PVC guttering and a cast iron downspout. Two modern red brick chimneys with modern pots sit upon the roof; the chimney to the left side is shared with No. 25.

A single-storey extension runs to the south along the gable, linking the terrace on the east side of the square to the terrace on the east side of Ferry Street. This extension, constructed upon the natural rock outcrop, has a shallow pitched roof with a small PVC window set just below the roof line. The extension is used as a living room and has an irregular shape. At first floor level of the gable are two windows with modern frames. The gable is rendered in rough cast. The second floor carries two modern sash windows matching those below.

To the rear, on the left side, is a small shallow pitched kitchen extension with felted roof, built on the squint running south-east. It has two modern PVC windows and a modern door. A narrow three-storey 'stair return' rises to the right of centre of the main elevation, with modern windows at intermediate levels. All windows and doors to the rear are in PVC. To the right of the stair return is a modern door with two modern windows above (one to first floor and one to second floor). To the left of the stair return is a small window at first floor level.