Former school, 78 Belfast Road, Magheracranmoney, Downpatrick, Co Down, BT30 9AY

This is a former school building of around 1840, built as a substantial educational complex combining a master's residence with flanking classroom wings. The property stands on the west side of Belfast Road, approximately two and a half miles north-west of Downpatrick, and has been converted to a dwelling between 1982 and 1984.

Original Design and Layout

The building's symmetrical front elevation faces east. At its centre is a recessed bay containing the original master's residence, set back behind a striking open porch. This porch features four Ionic columns, each shaft consisting of a single piece of granite, supporting a plain entablature with cornice. The main entrance sits centrally within this bay, comprising a panelled timber double door with a narrow granite surround. Above the door is a granite entablature pediment set on curved brackets, with the tympanum faced in coursed fieldstone rubble—the material that dominates most of the front elevation.

To either side of the entrance are sash windows with Georgian panes (6/6) and matching granite surrounds. The central bay is flanked by two projecting gables forming the former classroom wings. Each gable contains a large, centrally located tripartite sash window with Georgian panes and granite surround. The gables themselves are finished in coursed rubble with granite fringed tympanums and granite in and out quoins.

Master's Residence

The original single-storey house section was raised in height during the 1920s. Its first floor, set back in line with the central bay above the porch, has a relatively unobtrusive façade finished in unpainted rough cast. Three casement windows with Georgian-like panes light this floor; the outer windows are broader than the central one, and all have smooth render surrounds.

The master's residence section is topped by a roof covered in natural slate with plain barges and overhangs. Two rendered gable chimney stacks with simple cornicing rise from this roof. A large dormer with a large casement window projects from the rear of the roof, and a Velux window serves the interior. A substantial stairwell window with Georgian panes is positioned centrally on the rear elevation.

Classroom Wings and Conversion Modifications

The two projecting gable sections of the former classrooms each contained a panelled doorway giving access to the teaching spaces. Both doorways are no longer in use; the openings behind them have been blocked up as part of the conversion to residential use. These lower wings are connected at ground level by the flat-roofed open porch with its Ionic colonnade.

Elevations

The south elevation is finished in rough cast and comprises two sections. The larger right-hand section contains four tall sash windows with Georgian panes (12/12), although the two centre windows were reduced in size during the 1980s conversion. The smaller, lower left-hand section has its south façade now completely obscured by a lean-to conservatory. Within this conservatory area, the original south façade retains a glazed door and a casement window.

The north elevation repeats the south elevation in reverse, except that the lower section to the west (left) has a blank north-facing façade. All sections of both these elevations are finished in rough cast.

The rear elevation is composed of three bays. The central bay is recessed, while the outer bays to the north and south (the gables of the lower sections) project. The north gable contains two small windows with recent casement frames, while the south gable features a much broader single window opening. Both gables retain projecting sections of walling that originally belonged to a former toilet block. Behind both lower gabled sections, parts of the gable ends of the larger north and south sections are exposed, each containing a small roundel window close to its apex.

The central recessed portion of the rear elevation has two casement windows. A doorway that once existed between these windows has been blocked up, although its granite surround remains visible. The inner faces of the projecting outer bays each contain a small window, with the south bay also featuring a modern glazed door. All rear elevation surfaces are finished in unpainted rough cast.

Setting and Access

To the front of the property is a simple wrought iron gate and railings marking the vehicle entrance, now partly obscured by shrub growth. To the rear lies a large flat expanse of tarmac, which represents the original schoolyard.

Technical Details

All roof sections are covered in natural slate. Rainwater goods are predominantly metal. Windows throughout retain period detailing, with those on principal elevations featuring Georgian panes. Granite is extensively used for surrounds, quoins, and architectural detail, particularly on the front elevation and around the main entrance.