34 Rath Road, Warrenpoint, Newry, Co Down, BT34

The building at 34 Rath Road, Warrenpoint, Newry, is a two-storey, two-bay vernacular house likely rebuilt in the later 19th century, specifically between 1880 and 1899. It is situated on the west side of Rath Road. The house has undergone significant alteration and currently retains few original features of architectural interest.

The structure is characterised by an artificial slate roof with modern overhanging eaves and a dashed chimney to each gable. Modern plastic rainwater goods are present. The walls are cement-dashed, and the front elevation, facing east, features a modern front door positioned on the right side of the left bay, sheltered by a concrete canopy. Each bay on both floors has large modern stained timber picture windows with concrete sills. The right gable is blank, while the left gable abuts a single-storey block at ground floor, which is described as the most prominent feature. The rear of the building is entirely modern, with a two-storey return at the left end.

An earlier building is shown on the 1834 Ordnance Survey map of County Down. The original appearance, documented in a historical photograph from January 20, 1970, comprised a pitched natural slate roof with rendered chimneys at either end. The walls were pebble-dashed with smooth bands to the left and right corners. A single-storey gabled porch with a roof matching the main block and smooth rendered walls abutted the left bay. The porch’s front gable had a 6/3 sash window, and its right cheek was blank; the left cheek was not visible. Remaining bays featured 4/2 sliding sash windows with smooth rendered architraves and no cills. The right gable of the house was smooth rendered and blank. A single-storey return abutted the left gable, aligned with the main block, and included a chimney on its left gable and a 6/6 sash window on its front wall. A small, white-washed rubble stone wall and wrought iron gate define a front garden.