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

53 Warren Road, Donaghadee

A relatively plain two-storey rendered terrace block with hipped roof, projecting end wings, and flat-roofed porches, containing five properties. Originally built as light house keepers' dwellings, the block overlooks the coastline to the north of Donaghadee. It has a conservative late Georgian style appearance that might suggest dating from the 1850s or 1860s, but evidence indicates construction around 1884, coinciding with the new light house on Mew Island (replacing keepers' dwellings associated with the old light house on Light House Island). The building is not recorded on the Ordnance Survey map of 1858–60, supporting the later date.

The five properties are arranged symmetrically within the plan form. The south-east wing contains all of number 53 and part of number 55, mirrored by the north-west wing (containing all of number 61 and part of number 59), with the main central portion containing the remainder of numbers 55 and 59, and number 57 between them. Number 53's asymmetrical front elevation faces south-east. At ground floor centre is a single-storey flat-roofed entrance porch with panelled door to the south-west face and a single window to both south-east and north-east faces. Both windows have sash frames with Georgian-like panes (2 over 4) and label moulding. The porch has a tall parapet with cornice-like string course. A low wind-break wall has been constructed relatively recently to the south-west of the doorway. To the left of the porch are two nearly paired sash windows with Georgian-like panes (4 over 4) and linked label moulding; to the right are an identical pair. The first floor has three evenly spaced similar windows with Georgian panes (6 over 6) but without label moulding. To the right the elevation merges with that of number 55; to the left it merges with the south-east façade of a large single-storey lean-to, which has a window as porch. The lean-to continues around the short south-west and north-west elevations. To the south-west a modern lean-to conservatory has been added; to the north-west the lean-to merges with that to the rear of number 55 and appears to have one window with modern frame.

The façade is rendered and painted white. The eaves course and bevelled base are evident. The hipped roof is slated, as is the lean-to. Two relatively tall rendered chimney stacks are present, that to the north-east probably shared with number 55. Cast iron rainwater goods are fitted. To the south-west end there is a small enclosed yard containing what appear to be two small single-storey lean-to sheds or outhouses.

To the rear, a line of modern single-storey garages was constructed around 1969, positioned just beyond the back yards of each house. The relatively spacious interior and remaining internal detailing (if original) support the late 19th-century date of construction.

In the 1960s, after the dwellings ceased to be used for light house staff, the entire block was sold as a single unit. The new owner subsequently added the garages. 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 20th century as a store for light house provisions.