The Slip Inn, 1 The Strand, Portaferry, Co Down, BT22 1PE

The Slip Inn is a two-storey corner public house situated at the junction of The Strand and Ferry Street in Portaferry. Much altered, it dates from perhaps the 1840s, though its origins may be earlier.

The building has been substantially modified and possesses little architectural interest in its present state. Both the south and east façades are rendered and painted. The south façade facing The Strand is asymmetrical. At ground floor level is an off-centre entrance with a timber panel door and plain fanlight, encased with panelled fluted pilasters, plain entablature and dentilled cornice. To the left of the entrance is a two-pane timber window with a top-hung upper opener, featuring a moulded fluted surround with plinths and keystone. To the right of the entrance is a three-pane timber window with two small top-hung upper openers and acid-etched design to the larger bottom pane; this window opening has been enlarged and no longer retains its original surround or cill. A painted timber pub sign is mounted above this window. The first floor has three windows similar to that on the left of the ground floor but with smaller upper panes. A modern projecting pub sign in traditional style with attached lighting is positioned between the second and third windows.

The east façade facing Ferry Street features a large modern timber fixed-light window with acid-etched design to the left, a timber door to its right, and a similar window to the right of the door. Neither window has cills. Steel vents are located below the second window. The first floor has four windows comparable to those on the south elevation's first floor, with surrounds to the first two windows only. A traditional-style projecting pub sign stands between the first and second windows, and a modern internally illuminated plastic projecting sign is positioned between the third and fourth windows. Paint is used to simulate a plinth on both elevations. Moulded bevelled quoins are present. The roof is hipped at the corner and covered with concrete tiles. Five brown brick chimney stacks with simple corbelling and matching pots are visible. The eaves have a cast iron gutters and downspouts. An eaves course runs beneath the roof line.

The rear façade, visible only from a distance, has a two-storey lean-to projection facing the north-east, and a modern window to the first floor of the north-west-facing section. Extensive outbuildings stand to the rear.

According to J.J. Nihill's 1981 article in the Journal of the Upper Ards Historical Society, this public house is claimed to be the oldest within Portaferry. The article states that it was leased by Patrick Savage to James McCready in 1776 and remained in his family until the first half of the 19th century, though Patrick O'Hare's 1799 map names James McCleery as the tenant, suggesting a possible misreading of the name. The property was sold to a Mr. Coates in 1840, though valuation records indicate a Henry Coates was resident circa 1835. Coates may have substantially rebuilt the property, as its plan differs markedly between the circa 1835-38 valuation plan and that of 1864, suggesting the building may not in fact be the oldest hostelry in Portaferry. In Slater's Directory of 1846, Henry Coates is listed as proprietor of the Harp Inn, and in 1856 as a spirit grocer, though by 1861 valuation returns the building is merely referred to as a house. Coates is believed to have sold the property to Mr. Dorrian in 1874 for £400. In 1897 the building was leased to John Trainor, who later purchased it outright for £700, and it remained in his hands and those of his descendants for most of the 20th century. The quoins and the mouldings to the door and front windows were all added circa 1920s. The building is now covered with concrete roof tiles and modern window frames. It lies within a conservation area but is not listed.