Cluntagh Cottage, 59 Killyleagh Road, Cluntagh, Crossgar, Co Down, BT30 9BN

Cluntagh Cottage is a single storey house with hipped roof dating from around 1840–50, situated south of Killyleagh Road approximately 1.5 miles east of Crossgar. It features a substantial two storey return section which was raised to its present height in 1927. The return incorporates an original pre-1834 single storey dwelling that was subsequently enlarged.

The front façade faces east and is symmetrical, finished in lined render with bevelled base. At its centre stands a panelled door flanked by three pane sidelights and topped with an elliptical arched fanlight displaying radial or 'spider web' tracery. The doorway has a moulded surround with keystone and similar side blocks. On either side of the doorway are two sash windows with Georgian panes (6/6) and matching surrounds, giving four sash windows in total across the front.

The south elevation comprises the single storey south façade of the front section and the south façade of the large two storey return. The single storey section features a large picture window. The return's ground floor has two similar windows with a partly glazed door between them, while the first floor contains five unevenly spaced sash windows.

The north elevation is more complex. The north façade of the front section is blank. To its right, set back, extends the long north façade of the return in two main sections. The left half projects forward and has a large picture window at ground floor level, with a small full height gabled projection at its very left side containing a first floor window with a circa 1920s–30s three pane frame. The right half features a large picture window at ground floor with two narrow sash windows to the first floor. Between these two halves, a small west-facing section has a partly glazed door at ground floor and a sash window with margin panes and coloured glass at first floor. The left half bears a curious raised gable outline, which may indicate the height and extent of an original return shown on the 1834 Ordnance Survey map. The unevenly pitched gable of the return itself is blank.

The front section and the north, south and west façades of the original section are finished in lined render with some sections in roughcast, all painted. The entire roof is covered in natural slate. The front section has two central rendered chimney stacks with octagonal pots. The return has three rendered stacks without pots. Cast iron rainwater goods are fitted throughout.

To the immediate south of the return is a small garden enclosed by a low rendered wall. To the south and west of the house stands an extensive collection of two storey and single storey outbuildings, all finished in roughcast with openings of various sizes. These outbuildings were extensively renovated in the 1930s. To the east is a relatively narrow drive bordered by low rendered walls, terminating at its eastern end with a set of wrought iron gates, undoubtedly the work of a local blacksmith.

The property's evolution is complex and documented in historical records. The 1834 Ordnance Survey map shows a T-shaped dwelling with the front section on the site of the present return and a long return extending to the rear (north). Valuation records indicate this building then belonged to Robert McDowell and was single storey. The 1859–60 map shows a similar building but with the present front section added, making the original front portion into a return, and the property is marked as 'Cluntagh Cottage' on this map. The house retained this configuration until 1927, when the return (the original front portion) was raised in height. At the same time the original 1834 north return was demolished, though its gabled outline remains visible on the north side of the present return. The McDowell family owned Cluntagh Cottage until at least 1886. Around 1915 it was acquired by the uncle of the present owner.