5-6 The Square, Portaferry, Co Down, BT22 1LN

Two storey terraced buildings comprising a shop with apartments above, situated in the centre of the north side of The Square in Portaferry town centre. The buildings possibly date from the later 18th century, though they are more securely documented from the early 19th century onwards. They have been substantially altered, particularly in the late 19th and 20th centuries, and now feature modern window frames and render finishes throughout.

The two properties share a combined frontage of 12.5 metres. The south-facing front elevation is asymmetrical. Number 6 (to the left) has an off-centre ground floor doorway with a six-panel door and fanlight, followed by a vestibule door screen with sidelights incorporating a three-panel door with acid-etched floral pattern in the upper panel. A PVC shop front with central mullion to the right is framed with simple timber pilasters. Number 5 (to the right) has a large single ground floor opening incorporating a PVC door and shop front, also framed with simple timber pilasters. The first floor of number 6 contains three windows with modern top-hung frames with fixed lower panes. Number 5 has two similar windows. The front façade is rendered and painted.

The gabled roof is covered with Bangor blue slates. Number 6 has yellow brick chimney stacks with decorative brick bands and matching chimney pots. Number 5 has a smooth cement render chimney stack. Smooth cement rendering parapets separate the properties from their neighbours. Cast iron guttering and downspouts are present.

The building is recorded on Patrick O'Hare's map of Portaferry from 1799, when it was in the possession of Robert Chermside. Valuation records of circa 1835 indicate that the buildings were then two storeys and regarded by valuers as relatively old, probably dating from the 18th century. The property remained in the Chermside family until prior to 1851, when Henry Dougherty acquired it. Dougherty occupied what became number 6 by 1861, with Hugh Magrath renting number 5. In the later 1800s, after circa 1870, the entire property was sold to the McFadden family, who by the early 1900s had converted the ground floor to a post office and drapery shop.