121 Greencastle Pier Road, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4LR

This is the right half of a symmetrical pair of two-storey, three-bay semi-detached houses erected by the Commissioners of Irish Lights and located strategically near the shoreline at Greencastle Point, at the end of Greencastle Pier Road on the north side. The building was constructed between 1880 and 1899 and has been inhabited from 1889 or shortly before, serving as accommodation for lighthouse keepers associated with Haulbowline Lighthouse. It replaced earlier keepers' houses at Cranfield Point, which remained in use until around 1922.

Exterior

The front elevation faces south towards the sea and remains substantially unaltered, presenting a formal, distinguished design that sets it apart from other houses in the area. The pitched roof is covered with natural slate and finished with clay ridges. The right gable is coped with moulded kneelers. Two painted rendered chimneys project from the walls: one positioned between the second and third bays carries two pots, while that on the party wall with the adjacent house carries four pots. Cast iron ogee rainwater goods with decorative hoppers are supported by a decorative eaves course of three courses of yellow brick, the middle one being saw-toothed pattern. Circular downpipes are held in place by poppy head clasps. The walls are painted smooth cement render with a painted chamfered basecourse. All windows have painted granite cills.

The central bay of the main facade is abutted by a single-storey porch with a pitched natural slate roof and raised gable, detailed with similar rainwater goods. The porch's front gable contains a 6/6 sliding sash window with horns. The left cheek is blank, though render marks indicate a doorway has been infilled. The right cheek has a sheeted powder-coated aluminium door with a modern electric light above.

To the ground floor on either side of the porch is a single 6/6 sliding sash window with horns, with three similar windows aligned above on the first floor. The right gable contains a single narrow 4/4 sliding sash window, positioned to the right on each floor.

Rear and Extensions

The rear elevation has been significantly altered and extended, compromising the overall character of the building. A two-storey extension abuts the left side and a single-storey lean-to extends across the centre and right. The remaining original rear wall at first-floor level contains a single brick course forming an eaves detail and is rendered with a single 6/6 sliding sash window to first floor centre.

The two-storey return extension has a hipped artificial slate roof, tied into the main roof but with a lower ridge. Its walls are painted smooth render with a single course of yellow brick forming eaves and an additional eaves board supporting half-round gutters. The rear gable is abutted by a single-storey outshot with a similar roof and a pair of plastic double-glazed patio doors on its rear wall. Above this outshot is a top-hung plastic double-glazed window. The left cheek of the two-storey return has a modern 4x2 paned fixed window with a narrow concrete cill. The right cheek is abutted by the lean-to gable and is blank.

The lean-to to the rear of the main block has a pitched natural slate roof and projects flush with the end of the two-storey extension. Its main wall is abutted by a similar lean-to extension, creating a central valley with a painted rendered back wall. The left gable forms the party wall with the adjacent property. An outbuilding to the rear of the enclosed yard is single-storey with a monopitched artificial slate roof sloping into the yard. It has raised coped verges and decorative kneelers. The walls are painted coursed random Silurian rubble with granite quoins. The external wall to the north has a brick-dressed doorway, now infilled with concrete blocks, and two small infilled vent openings above.

Setting

The paved area to the front is enclosed by an embattled mass concrete wall with a shared vehicular gateway featuring a wrought iron gate held by a pair of rock-faced ashlar piers with pyramidal granite caps.

The house forms part of a significant group with the adjoining dwelling, the block to the east, and a boathouse (also listed), all strategically positioned near Greencastle Point. Together they represent buildings of industrial archaeological interest and important social and cultural significance associated with Irish lighthouse keeping.

Historical records show that a door originally existed on the left cheek of the porch, as documented in a 1975 photograph held in the Historic Monuments Record of Northern Ireland. The building is listed on the basis of its architectural and historical merit, group value, setting, and social significance, although its extensive rear additions have detracted from its overall character.