Hayshed, sheds and barn to north-west side of Finnebrogue estate farmyard, at 31 Killyleagh Road, Finnabrogue, Downpatrick, Co Down

Hayshed, sheds and barn to north-west side of Finnebrogue estate farmyard, 31 Killyleagh Road, Finnabrogue, Downpatrick, County Down

A long mixed line of mainly single storey farm buildings situated on the north-west side of the Finnebrogue estate farmyard complex, roughly two miles north of Downpatrick, backing onto a high boundary wall with Killyleagh Road on the opposite side.

The group consists of three principal elements. At the south end is a 20th century open lean-to hayshed with corrugated-metal roof and narrow cast iron supporting columns, built on the site of a slightly taller pre-1834 gabled structure whose outline can still be seen on the north-east elevation of the adjoining granary building. To the immediate north is a single storey row of rubble-built gabled sheds, probably dating from between 1834 and 1858. A short section at the south end of these sheds remains largely original, retaining some dilapidated doorways and window openings, but the majority to the north have been radically altered. The original rubble front elevations have been demolished, with some sheds now fronted in corrugated-metal and others to the far north completely open, supported by cast iron columns as with the hayshed. The roof is slated. At the north end is a relatively large early to mid 20th century corrugated-metal clad barn, partly open to the front. The lower half of its north-east elevation is in random rubble, probably belonging to an early pre-1858 structure.

The Finnebrogue estate farmyard is a large complex built in various stages from approximately the 1790s to the mid 20th century. The earliest extant plan, from the Ordnance Survey map of 1834, shows much of the long range of buildings straddling the boundary wall to the north-west, a large stable to the south-east, the house further east, a smaller house at the south end of the yard, and a large threshing barn with horse walk to the east of the long range. The 1838 valuation records grade some buildings 'A' (possibly built in the previous 25 to 30 years) and 'B' (possibly over thirty years old), indicating various periods of development. Industrial archaeologist Dr Fred Hammond has suggested that much construction may have taken place shortly after the refurbishing of Finnebrogue House itself around 1795 to 1800, with the intention of creating a model farmyard. Between 1834 and 1858, the long north-west range was extended northwards, with a large cow shed, corn store with drying kiln, steam engine house and chimney grouping—structures geared towards cattle feeding—built to the north-east, and a single storey range added to the south opposite the large stable. Plans within the Perceval-Maxwell Papers at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland show that the large cattle-feeding grouping to the north-east was built around 1854. Between 1859 and 1900, a single storey stable block appeared on the far east side of the complex, along with a single storey shed to the immediate east of the threshing barn, a brick gate house was built to the north side of the south gateway, and a building (now demolished) was added to the north-east corner of the yard. In the early 20th century, a long single storey extension was added to the north side of the old threshing barn, circular grain silos were erected to the north end of the yard (now demolished), and two metal-framed Dutch barns were built just north of the large stables (also demolished). During the 20th century many buildings were adapted to new farm uses, and much of the long north-west range was demolished and partly replaced with corrugated-metal roofed structures. By the latter decades of the century the complex had largely fallen into disuse. It was sold to the present owner around 1990 to 1991. Since then the large house to the south-east has been refurbished, along with the smaller dwelling to the south-west, and some farm buildings are currently used as stores.

The present lean-to hayshed is probably early to mid 20th century. The sheds to the north appear to have been built between 1834 and 1858 but were much altered, probably in the early to mid 20th century. The corrugated-metal clad barn is probably early to mid 20th century and stands on the site of another pre-1858 structure, part of whose north-east wall has been incorporated into the barn itself. The buildings are of industrial archaeological interest but little architectural interest.