Ballyrickard House, 3 Moate Road, Ballyrickard, Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23 4XA

This is a large, two-story farmhouse built in 1862, located north of Moate Road, approximately halfway between Newtownards and Comber. The property is currently undergoing substantial alteration and renovation.

The house was built by Thomas, James, and Hugh McCracken, as indicated by a plaque on the north gable. It appears to have replaced an earlier dwelling on the site, and was valued at £72 in 1863, reflecting its “house offices and land.” It has been in the possession of the current owner's family since 1968.

The front, east facade features a large, centrally located rounded porch, currently under construction, alongside a large picture window to the left and right. Five evenly spaced windows are positioned on the first floor. All windows are temporarily covered in black plastic sheeting, pending the complete installation of PVC window frames. The south gable has a PVC patio door on the ground floor with a large picture window above, also with a PVC frame, and two small fixed light windows at attic level. The north gable mirrors this with two small attic windows and the aforementioned commemorative plaque. A flat-roofed, two-story return/extension with modern PVC windows and doors is centrally located on the rear facade, to the left of which are large picture windows on both the ground and first floors, also with PVC frames. The main facade is largely covered in rough cast render, with the front section in preparation for a more regular finish. The main roof is gabled and covered in Bangor blue slates, with two rendered chimney stacks and rendered parapets. Sections of metal rainwater goods are present. A substantial collection of outbuildings is located at the rear, and the front garden is ‘landscaped’ with a driveway leading to the Newtownards/Comber Road. Stop-chamfered spine beams with run-out stops are noted as a feature.