The Bog, 11 Ballyglighorn Road, Castle Espie, Comber, Co. Down, BT23 5SX

The Bog is a large single-storey vernacular gabled house of probable pre-1834 origin, possibly dating to the 18th century. It is situated to the west of Ballyglighorn Road, approximately 2 miles south-east of Comber, County Down.

The house has been modernised in recent years with alterations to its principal entrances and fenestration. The east-facing front façade features a recently formed modern doorway positioned right of centre, fitted with a PVC door and a large window-like sidelight. This doorway replaced a window. To the left of the doorway are three windows with simple moulded surrounds featuring keystones; the second of these was formerly the entrance door. A further similar window sits to the right of the modern doorway. At the far right of the front elevation stands a large gabled projection with a window to its south face; the gable itself is blank.

The main south gable contains a window matching those to the front, positioned to the left. This gable merges with the south face of a rear return, which is blank. The north gable adjoins the north side of the front gabled projection. This entire north façade has two small square windows without surrounds. The rear façade contains three windows of varying sizes, with a pair of French doors positioned between the second and third windows. A substantial gabled return projects from the far right, featuring a door and window to its north face and a larger window to its west gable.

The entire building is finished in roughcast render. Quoins and a base course appear to the front and main south gable and façade, both of which are painted. The north and rear façades are unpainted and their render appears recently applied. The roof is covered with a mixture of natural and asbestos slate, with slight overhang to the eaves and plain barge boards. Two brick chimney stacks serve the main section of the house. PVC rainwater goods are fitted throughout. The property has outbuildings to the rear; a former barn to the north-east has been converted into two holiday homes. A broad driveway extends to the front.

Historical records confirm a building on this site in the Ordnance Survey maps of 1834 and 1858. The 1833 valuation records identify the house as the property of Hugh Dixon and provide dimensions of 64 feet by 19 feet by 8 feet, with a return measuring 27 feet by 7½ feet by 6 feet, measurements corresponding to the building as it exists today. The property was recorded as grade 'B', indicating a building judged to be possibly up to 50 years old at that date. At the time of the second valuation survey around 1863, the house remained in the hands of the Dixon family. The window surrounds suggest renovation occurred around 1900. More recently, the former entrance door was converted to a window and a new entrance created in its place. The north gabled projection has had its roof line marginally heightened and brought into alignment with the main roof line.