Lisky, 10 Myrtle Road, Strabane, Co Tyrone, BT82 8QB

Lisky is an attractive and well-proportioned detached symmetrical six-bay two-storey house built around 1820, situated on the west side of Myrtle Road, Strabane. The building demonstrates clear evidence of evolution through a series of extensions added between 1840 and 1970, though the plan form of the original 1820s farmhouse remains largely intact. The interior detailing dates predominantly from the 1840s, and the provision of servant's accommodation to the north around 1890 adds particular interest. The appealing traditional characteristics of the façade, interior, and semi-circular front boundary rubble walling with gates are largely preserved.

The original rectangular-on-plan section faces south with a two-storey return built around 1840, abutted on the north by a single-storey extension from around 1890. A two-storey extension to the west was added around 1960, with further single- and two-storey extensions to the north-east and north-west angles built around 1970.

The roof is hipped natural slate with blue and black clay ridge tiles. Three smooth rendered corbelled chimneystacks are topped with octagonal clay pots. Corbelled eaves support U-profile cast-iron rainwater goods. The walls are pebbledash with recessed smooth rendered plinth and projecting stugged stone finish stepped quoins. Windows are 8/8 timber sliding sashes, diminished in height at first floor, with smooth rendered banding and projecting stone cills.

The principal elevation facing south is designed to appear as a pair of three-bay semi-detached houses. Each side has an entrance flanked by windows, with three windows at first-floor level. The right entrance accesses the original 1820s house at the centre and comprises a replacement six-panelled door within replacement sidelights and flanking colonettes supporting a cornice. Above this sits the original sunburst fanlight. The left entrance contains a replacement six-panelled door with sidelights and transom light.

The left (east) elevation contains two windows at ground floor and two at first floor, with a single replacement casement window at the left side of the upper storey. The rear (north) elevation is partially abutted on the left by the two-storey return with pitched natural slate roof. The exposed section contains a replacement timber glazed door with a replacement 8/8 timber casement on the left; at first floor are two 6/6 timber sliding sashes on the right and two replacement casement windows. The exposed section on the left is abutted at a re-entrant angle by a two-storey extension. The right (west) elevation contains a single window at each floor on the left side.

The two-storey return has a pitched natural slate roof with pebbledash walls and recessed smooth rendered plinth. Its north gable is abutted by a one-and-a-half storey L-plan extension with a lean-to natural slate roof, hipped at the right corner. The left cheek is abutted by a two-storey extension at a re-entrant angle, with windows at each floor on the right. The right cheek is abutted at ground floor by a single-storey extension with an asbestos-tiled lean-to roof. The one-and-a-half storey extension's north elevation contains a single 3/6 timber casement window at ground floor and three 3/6 timber sliding sash windows at first floor. The left cheek has a vertically sheeted timber loft door at first floor, while the right cheek contains a replacement 2/2 timber casement at ground floor.

A two-storey extension built around 1850 has a lean-to roof with pebbledashed walls and smooth rendered banding at the north-east corner. Its north elevation contains a replacement timber panelled and glazed entrance door at the right with smooth rendered banding; the west elevation contains replacement windows at each floor.

The house encloses the south side of a quadrangular concrete courtyard to the north, with a range of single- and two-storey traditionally constructed outbuildings. Original features include lime-rendered rubble walls and vertically timbered doors. The outbuilding to the north has a pitched Irish slate roof laid in diminishing courses. At the south, the house is bound by random rubble walling with segmental coping and hedging. Two paths leading to each principal entrance are accessed via a pair of painted wrought-iron gates.

The property is recorded in the Townland Valuations of 1828-40 as a "dwelling, cellar and office", originally occupied by Hugh, later revised to John Stewart. At the time of an ownership change, the property description was revised to "dwelling, more of house, return, offices, etc." The revised valuation was £14 4s. 11d. Griffith's Valuation of 1858 records the occupier of a "house, offices and land" as John Stewart, with the property leased from the Marquis of Abercorn at a valuation originally of £17 10s., later revised to £19 at an unrecorded date, with a £51 lease. James Stewart became occupier in 1878 and owner in fee in 1889.

The first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1832-3 shows Lisky as a rectangular structure. The second edition of 1855 shows a return on the north elevation and an additional outbuilding to the west, with the east wing absent, perhaps undergoing remodelling. A flax kiln is shown to the east; such kilns were used during uncertain weather for drying flax stems after retting in ponds. The third edition map of 1905 shows further outhouses forming a courtyard space between the house and its outbuildings.

Within its original rural setting with mature garden and attractive farmyard, the house contributes significantly to the architectural heritage of the local area. The listing extends to the house, outbuildings, boundary wall, and gates.