Dunover House, 56 Dunover Road, Dunover, Ballywalter, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT22 2LW

Dunover House is a large gentleman's residence of probable mid eighteenth century origin, situated to the south of Dunover Road, roughly one and a half miles north-west of Ballywalter. The original eastern section dates from around 1760-1779, with a substantial rear extension added around 1835. The building was further modified during the twentieth century.

The original section is a two storey structure finished in rough cast render to the front and north facades, with plain render elsewhere. It has a pitched roof covered in Bangor blue slates with four rendered chimney stacks and stone parapets. The extended rear section, which has doubled the original width of the house, was originally double-gabled but has been substantially altered. Its pitched roof was removed around 1930-40 and replaced with a flat roof, a change made to address maintenance issues involving a large valley gutter. Two broad side-facing chimney stacks are positioned between the original building and rear portion, probably originally between the two pitched roofs. Cast iron rainwater goods are present throughout.

The front elevation originally had a formal, symmetrical arrangement which has been compromised by twentieth century alterations. A central modern glazed door with a small portico of two simple granite columns supporting a lintel frieze and cornice is positioned centrally. To the right are two sash windows with plain rendered modern label moulding above. To the left, where two windows would have stood symmetrically, there is now a single broad opening with modern steel frame and label moulding. The first floor originally contained seven formally arranged sash windows similar to those on the ground floor right. The two at the far left, and the pair directly below them, have been replaced by a single broad opening with steel frame. The remaining first floor windows retain their sash design with label moulding.

The south gable features a large three-sided two storey bay with tall sash windows exhibiting Georgian panes on the first floor. Similar windows appear on the outer sides of the bay at ground floor level, though the central window is now blocked. The north gable has a broad fixed light window at ground floor level and a similar sized steel-framed window at first floor.

The rear of the extended section has four evenly spaced tall sash windows with Georgian panes at ground floor level, with five similar but slightly shorter windows to the first floor. A modern timber-sheeted rear door with plain sidelight is positioned at the far left of the ground floor. Directly above the modern single storey boiler and utility extension attached to the rear is a cast iron framework supporting a water tank.

Sections of the front facade and three-sided bay are covered in greenery. The property is picturesquely situated in well-wooded surroundings and retains the appearance of a building of local importance.

The house is shown on the 1834 Ordnance Survey map with an extensive garden and plantation to the west and south, and what appears to be a row of outbuildings to the north. The 1837 Ordnance Survey Memoirs listed Dunover House under 'Gentlemen's Seats' and noted it was then the property of Mr John Reed Allen of Mount Panther near Dundrum, though unoccupied at that time. The Memoir described the house as old and dilapidated but noted it had been considerably added to within the preceding few years, likely referring to the large rear extension of circa 1835. The Allens remained in possession of the property until the 1880s. During the twentieth century, the house came into the possession of the Boyd family. Around 1930-40, window openings were enlarged with modern steel frames inserted, and a single storey boiler house and utility room were added to the rear. It was at this time that the pitched roof of the rear wing was removed and replaced with a flat roof.

A medieval motte lies a short distance to the north-west of the house, which has yielded fragments of thirteenth and fourteenth century pottery. An apple and pear orchard is situated immediately to the south-east. The property is listed to Grade B2, with the listing extent covering the house only, excluding the single storey extension to the rear.