6 Mary St., Rostrevor, Co.Down

6 Mary Street, Rostrevor, County Down

A house dating from the early 19th century, shown on the 1834 Ordnance Survey map. The 1835 valuation records this as a new house belonging to Mrs. McArthur, measuring 25 feet by 30 feet by 20 feet in height, with a full-height basement 7 feet high. The property may form part of the development depicted along this section of Mary Street on James Williamson's 1810 county map.

By the 1861 valuation, the house had similar dimensions of approximately 8 yards by 10 yards by 2 storeys, with an associated office measuring 8½ by 6 feet by 2 storeys. At this time it was held by Thomas Emerson, who was also the leaseholder of the neighbouring property to the west (no. 4 Mary Street). Emerson remained the leaseholder and occupant until 1892, when the lease passed to Elizabeth Smyth. She was succeeded in 1894 by Rebecca Halligan.

By 1901, the 51-year-old Miss Halligan occupied the building with a domestic servant and five temporary residents, suggesting it may have functioned as a lodging house. The property subsequently passed through various occupants, including Richard Owens (a linen lapper) and his wife Maggie from 1911. Sometime between 1930 and 1936, the building became the local post office, a function it retained until around 1968-69, when postal services moved to the neighbouring property at no. 4 Mary Street.

The building is situated on Mary Street, which follows the original route between Kilkeel and Newry and forms the western side of Rostrevor village. The listing includes the railings and steps. The property lies within a conservation area.