65-71 Main Street, Kircubbin, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT22 2SR

A neat but varied two-storey terrace of early to mid 19th century origin, situated at the south-east end of Main Street in Kircubbin. The terrace comprises four properties: No.65, an estate agency; No.67, a former inn; and Nos.69 and 71, which were probably originally one property functioning as an inn with a spirit grocers, now with mixed residential and commercial use.

The front north-east elevation shows considerable variation between properties. No.65 is much altered and modernised, with a largely intact facade only to the other three numbers. The front elevation features an almost central glazed door with a timber panelled door to the left and a large timber bow window set in a recess to the right. Three sliding sash and case windows light the first floor. Large PVC internally illuminated signs span the entire length above the doors and window, with another projecting sign to the right on the first floor. The facade is finished in rough cast render with smooth cement surrounds to the upper floor windows. The exposed gable to the north-west is blank.

No.67 has a smaller facade with a timber panelled door to the far right with smooth cement surround and keystone. A sliding sash and case window with horizontal astragals stands to the left. The most distinctive feature is a large elliptical arch coach doorway with chamfered 'in and out' surround and timber double doors, bearing the date '1847' inscribed in the keystone. Three windows to the first floor match those below. The facade is finished in plain render.

No.69 has a panelled and glazed front door with three sliding sash and case windows to the right on the ground floor, and four on the first floor with both horizontal and vertical astragals. Narrow smooth cement surrounds frame the door and windows. No.71 retains the terrace's most interesting asset: a quaint shop front with timber panelled double door and plain fanlight to the right, adjoining a fixed light shop window and plain stall riser to the left. Door and window are each encased with fluted timber pilasters and carved cornice above. The first floor has two sliding sash and case windows matching those of No.69. Both Nos.69 and 71 are finished in rough cast render, with quoins applied to No.71.

Due to the fall at the back of the terrace, the rear elevations of these properties incorporate an additional level. No.67 has a small single-storey lean-to extension at the rear, whilst Nos.69 and 71 have a full-height lean-to extension. Modern windows of varying designs and sizes have been inserted throughout the rear elevation. The entire terrace has a pitched roof with Bangor blue slates to Nos.65 and 67, and asbestos slates to Nos.69 and 71. Eight uniform brick chimney stacks rise across the whole terrace. Cast iron gutters and downpipes run along the entire elevation. Large two-storey rubble-built outhouses stand to the rear of Nos.67 to 71.

The 1847 date inscribed on No.67 suggests that at least part of the terrace was reconstructed at that date, though without adequate documentary evidence or fabric investigation this cannot be confirmed. Buildings are shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1834 at this location, though No.65 may not have existed at that point. Nos.69 and 71 originally functioned as one property comprising an inn with a spirit grocers in the shop section. The property later housed a draper's shop, and as of 1997 the owner wished to restore the timber shop front and remaining interior fittings. Local tradition states that No.65 served as an RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) station at the beginning of the twentieth century, though No.33 Main Street may also have served this purpose at some point.