59 High Street, Donaghadee, Co Down

59 High Street, Donaghadee

A mid to late eighteenth century house and shop, forming part of a two-storey terraced block at the south-east end of High Street. The building retains considerable original architectural and historic character, though later alterations have affected both the rear elevation and interior.

The front north-east facade is the most intact element. A right-of-centre doorway contains a panelled door with a semicircular fanlight featuring 'bat wing' tracery, surrounded by a blocked and fluted pilaster frame with a semicircular architrave and keystone. To the right is a sliding sash window with Georgian panes (8 over 8) in a simple narrow surround; immediately to the left is a similar sash with fewer panes (6 over 6). At the far left stands a large flat-arch carriage opening with timber double doors, above which projects a traditional timber sign. A small timber signboard sits above the window left of the carriage entrance. The facade is finished in pebbledash render with a plain rendered base. The first floor repeats the ground floor fenestration pattern with four windows arranged as below.

The rear elevation presents a poor appearance with extensive modern alterations. A recently constructed porch with a hipped roof of Tullycavey slates contains a modern rear door. Modern windows have been inserted around this porch and adjacent to the carriage entrance opening (which retains recent timber double doors). Above the porch, a modern window with partial decorative leaded glass sits at an intermediate stairwell level. First floor proper contains a modern window at far left and a traditional sash window (matching the front) at far right. A small multi-pane stairwell window sits near the eaves. Several ground floor openings show evidence of alteration. The unrendered rear facade reveals rubble construction painted over, presenting an untidy and unattractive appearance. A gabled roof is covered in asbestos slates, with rendered parapets to the north-west end and two rendered chimney stacks. A large Velux window sits to the left at the rear, with a smaller Velux window to the front right. Rainwater goods comprise a mixture of cast iron and PVC.

The property appears on Daniel De la Cherois's map of Donaghadee (dated c.1780), suggesting the buildings visible today correspond to structures from the mid to latter half of the eighteenth century. Valuation records of circa 1836 record both this property and an adjacent one as owned by Mrs. Shaw, each with a rateable value of £5–8–0.