Boat house, adj.to 117 Greencastle Pier Road, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4LR

This boathouse, dating from between 1880 and 1889, is strategically positioned near the shoreline at Greencastle Point, together with associated dwellings which contribute to a significant coastal grouping. It was built by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, alongside the houses (listed separately), and is linked to Haulbowline Lighthouse.

The boathouse is aligned north-south, with the sea to the south, and sits to the east of the lighthouse keepers’ houses. It features a pitched natural slate roof with raised cement coped verges and moulded granite kneelers. The eaves are constructed with three courses of corbelled yellow brick, the middle course being saw-toothed. Cast iron ogee downpipes, with poppy head wall clasps and decorative ogee hoppers, are present on the left and right elevations. The walls are smooth cement rendered, with an advanced base course on all sides except the front.

The front gable, facing the sea, has a pair of framed and sheeted doors with a small wicket door to the right, set within a segmental headed stepped brick dressing. A cast iron door catch is set to the right of the doors. Above the doors is a segmental headed loading door with a granite cill, over which is an infilled circular vent and a wrought iron bracket supporting a metal hook. The left elevation has three openings: two granite steps lead to a segmental headed framed and sheeted door at the left end, while the remaining two openings contain 3/3 segmental headed sliding sash windows with horns, wrought iron security bars, and granite cills. The right elevation is blank. The rear gable has a single 3/3 window on the ground floor (matching the ground floor details) and a 6/6 window on the first floor, with a pierced sheet metal vent in the apex. Across the road, at the head of the beach, the ground has been levelled to allow boats to pass smoothly onto the beach.

The boathouse is of industrial archaeological interest and possesses architectural qualities relating to style, proportion, ornamentation, plan form, setting, and group value. It also holds historical significance due to its social, cultural, and economic importance, its association with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, and its local interest. Architectural drawings are held in the archives of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Dublin.