61 Warren Road (former light house keepers' dwellings), Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0PQ

61 Warren Road, Donaghadee, comprises a historically significant two-storey terrace block of five properties, originally constructed as dwellings for lighthouse keepers. The building overlooks the coastline to the north of Donaghadee.

The terrace is rendered and painted white, with a hipped slate roof and projecting end wings. Flat-roofed single-storey porches punctuate the façade. Although its conservative late Georgian style appearance might suggest construction in the 1850s or 1860s, the building is not shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1858–60 and evidence indicates it dates from around 1884, coinciding with the construction of the new lighthouse on Mew Island. It likely replaced earlier keepers' dwellings that had served the old lighthouse on Light House Island. The relatively spacious interior and surviving original internal detailing support this later dating.

The symmetrical front elevation facing north-west is arranged with mirrored wings: the south-east wing contains all of number 53 and part of number 55, while the north-west wing contains all of number 61 and part of number 59. Number 57 sits between numbers 55 and 59 in the central portion.

The centre of the ground floor features a single-storey flat-roofed entrance porch with a panelled door to the north-east face and single windows to both north-west and south-west faces. The porch windows have sash frames with Georgian-style panes (two over four) and label moulding. The porch parapet includes a cornice-like string course. To the left and right of the porch are two pairs of sash windows with Georgian-style panes (four over four) and linked label moulding. The first floor contains three evenly spaced similar windows with Georgian panes (six over six) but without label moulding. Two relatively tall rendered chimney stacks rise from the building; the north-eastern stack is probably shared with number 59. Cast iron rainwater goods are present throughout. The eaves course and bevelled base are characteristic of the period.

A large single-storey lean-to with slate roof extends across part of the elevation, with a window serving as a porch. This structure continues around the short south-west (rear yard) elevation. Later alterations include a modern lean-to conservatory on the south-west side and a mono-pitched single-storey section, originally a shed but apparently converted as part of the main house. A further shed stands on the opposite north-west side of the yard. Above these lean-to structures on the south-west elevation is an enlarged window with modern frame.

A line of modern single-storey garages was constructed to the rear around 1969, positioned just beyond the back yards of each house.

The building's layout reflects its original institutional purpose. In the 1960s, after the dwellings ceased to be used for lighthouse staff, the entire block was sold as a single unit. Subsequently, from around 1970 onwards, the individual dwellings were sold as separate properties. Number 63, at the north-west end, was used for much of the twentieth century as a store, stocking provisions for the lighthouse.

The terrace demonstrates architectural interest through its style, proportions, plan form and group value, and holds local and social-cultural significance as a rare surviving example of purpose-built lighthouse keepers' housing.