Downpatrick Gate Lodge, Seaforde House, 175 Newcastle Road, Seaforde Demesne, Downpatrick, Co.Down

Small, rustically picturesque single storey gate lodge of c.1860s with oversailing hipped roof and hood mouldings to front. The building is set at the eastern (‘Downpatrick’) entrance to Seaforde Demesne, to the W side of Newcastle Road, roughly half a mile N of Seaforde, c.5 miles W of Downpatrick. The design may be based on the work of English architect Peter Frederick Robinson (1776-1858), who had been employed by the Forde family in the 1820s and 30s. The front façade faces S and is symmetrical. To the centre is a timber sheeted door, with hood moulding above. To the left of this is a relatively large six light casement window, with lattice panes to the three small upper lights and two conventional panes to the three lower lights. Above the window is a simple label moulding. There is a similar window to the right of the door. Because of rampant tree and shrub growth, the W façade and rear of the lodge are obscured from view. To the E façade there is a sash window with Georgian panes (6/6). The front E facades are both finished in lined render, some of which has fallen off. The hipped roof is slated and has a large overhang with exposed rafter ends. Central rendered chimney stack. No visible rw goods. This property is now vacant and appears to have been for some time.