The Farm Yard, Fountain Street Bessbrook, Co. Armagh, BT35 7DF

Accessed via a covered alleyway, the farmyard is located to the south of Fountain Street, within the village of Bessbrook. The layout of the yard enclosure predates the first edition OS maps of the 1830s and are some of the earliest surviving buildings in Bessbrook having been constructed before the advent of the ‘model village’. Central building, to south of farmyard comprises of a rectilinear seven bay, two storey block with natural slate roof finish, hipped at both ends and having PVC rainwater goods throughout. Exposed random rubble stone to walls with majority of window openings defined with brick surrounds and having fine aluminium horizontal louvred screens to openings, concealing window arrangement behind. Second bay from left hand side has projecting vertically sheeted door with sliding mechanism to right and with exposed concrete block infill to external wall above. Third bay from right has projecting, solid infill, concrete staircase with vertical aluminium railings giving access to sliding door entry at upper level. Physically not possible to record side or rear elevations. No access gained to interior. Building to west with four bays and additional, projecting bay to left with hipped natural, (replaced) slate roof. Pair of centrally position brick chimneys at ridge level. PVC goods throughout. Walls with pebble dash finish. Windows, top hung, PVC with entrance door and screen a modern painted timber replacement. Extensive ivy growth spreading from right. Building fronting onto farmyard to east consisting of a six bay, one and a half storey, masonry painted dwelling with hipped roof, behind low parapet wall to south gable and having two centrally positioned tall brick chimneys, below which are located two dormer gabled window at first floor level. PVC fascia, including decorative fascia to dormers and rainwater goods throughout. All windows top hung PVC with transoms concealed within glazing installation. Flat roof extension to right of central bay with contemporary galvanized railings around roof perimeter. Setting: Symmetrically arranged to the south, east and west perimeter of the original farmyard with the north side defined by high blank wall, rear elevation of property fronting onto Fountain Street. Access to the courtyard via underpass from Fountain St. Surface of farmyard gravel/loose stone Roofing: Natural slate, Walling: Exposed rubble stone, roughcast render. Windows: PVC RWG: PVC