Annex to Kilmorey Arms Hotel, 43 Greencastle Street, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4BH

This building is a two-storey, three-bay Victorian villa, dating from between 1860 and 1879. It stands on the east side of Greencastle Street in Kilkeel and forms a visually harmonious pair with the neighbouring property at number 45. The building is adjoined on its left side by the Kilmorey Arms Hotel, into which the interior has been incorporated.

The villa is designed in a simple classical style with a symmetrical layout. It features a hipped roof covered in natural slate, with two two-stage rendered chimneys on the ridge – one on either side of the central bay. Half-round metal rainwater goods are set against projecting granite eaves. The walls are lined with cement render over a chamfered granite base course, accented by projecting ashlar quoins to the right corner of the facade. The principal elevation faces the street.

The ground floor features a four-panelled timber entrance door, flanked by matching panelled and glazed sidelights, and surmounted by a plain semicircular fanlight. This is set within a stugged granite surround with a flush keystone and impost blocks. Single 2/2 (vertically divided) painted timber sliding sash windows are located on either side of the entrance at ground floor level, with painted granite cills. There are three similar windows to the first floor, aligned with the ground floor openings but slightly reduced in height. The left elevation is adjoined by another building. The right elevation has a single 2/2 window on each floor, centered between floors. The ground floor window has been replaced with a plastic 1/1 bucket opener, and a modern rectangular vent is situated to its right. The rear elevation is largely obscured by a modern function room, part of the adjacent hotel, although a section of the rear wall retains a 2/2 sash window between the ground and first floors, and another between the first floor and attic. The head of the latter window breaks the line of the eaves.

The frontage is set back, and is fronted by a low chamfered granite wall topped with hoop-topped painted steel railings. A matching pair of gates are supported by granite piers with domed caps. A rear yard retains embattled granite entrance gate posts, though the original gateway has been filled in with a modern single-storey escape lobby from the hotel’s function room.

The building was first recorded in the 1868 valuation revision book. It has architectural merit due to its style and proportions, though alterations detract somewhat from the original appearance. It also contributes to the group value of the streetscape. The building has local historical interest. It was originally used as a house and is now in commercial use as part of the Kilmorey Arms Hotel.