Convent of Mercy, Home Avenue, Newry, Co Down, BT34 2DL

Convent of Mercy, Home Avenue, Newry

This is a double pile mid-Georgian classically styled house, built between 1800 and 1819, which survives in virtually original condition. The building is of particular historical interest as the former residence of Needham Thompson, a well-known local figure, before being transferred to the convent.

The asymmetrical three-storey double pile structure has a chapel attached to its left side. The front elevation faces west towards a residential home constructed in the grounds by Thomas Fagan in 1898. The roof features natural slates and is double gabled, with rendered chimneys (displaying oversailing caps) positioned to each gable, totalling four chimneys. The walls are dashed render applied over a raised render base course, with raised vee-jointed and stepped granite quoins to both corners of the main façade. All floors feature a rendered continuous cill course across the front, while at eaves level a corbelled three-course plain cornice runs the width of the building.

The front elevation is approached via three granite steps leading to the central entrance. The timber door has six panels arranged with rectangular examples at top and bottom and a square panel between. It is framed by two demi-columns and pilasters supporting a pedimented entablature, all painted, likely over granite. Between each column and pilaster is a 2/2 vertically divided sliding sash window. Above the door is a semicircular fanlight which breaks the base of the pediment. Flower-filled urns and wrought iron boot scrapers flank the entrance on either side. To the left and right of the door are 6/6 sliding sash windows. The first floor contains three 6/6 sliding sash windows, while the second floor has three 6/3 diminished sliding sash windows. All window openings feature rendered heads and stepped jambs, with those to the upper floors aligned with the ground floor openings. Plastic rainwater goods are fitted to the front and rear.

The right gable of the house faces into an enclosed yard. Its wall is rendered with the façade cornice continuing across at eaves level. Two cast-iron downpipes are positioned, one descending from the central roof valley. On the left gable, at the half-landing between ground and first floors, is a Venetian window. This comprises a 6/6 sliding sash with Y tracery and segmental head, flanked on both sides by a narrower three-paned window. Below at ground level is a 2/2 sliding sash window. A sweep of curving stone steps descends to a basement door and window. A flat-roofed single-storey cement-rendered extension abuts the ground floor of the right gable, its yard-facing wall containing a sliding sash window with louvre glass to the top sash. Its end wall is blank. The right cheek, aligned with the rear elevation of the main block, contains a pair of modern French doors with plain transom at basement level.

The rear elevation overlooks a large garden planted with lawns, flower beds and trees, enclosed by a high random rubble wall. Paths are laid out formally, dividing the garden into four square central plots. This elevation has rendered walls with raised granite quoins at both corners. Along the basement level (which functions as the ground floor of this elevation due to ground slope) is a row of five top-hung windows, all modern replacements. At ground floor are five tall openings containing, from left to right: a pair of glazed timber doors with six-paned transom above; a 6/9 sliding sash window; a pair of glazed timber doors with six-paned transom above; a 6/9 sliding sash window; and a 6/9 sliding sash window. A modern steel-railed metal balcony with metal staircase fronts this level. The first floor features five equally spaced 6/6 sliding sash windows with granite cills, while the second floor has five equally spaced 3/3 sliding sash windows, also with granite cills. All windows are vertically aligned. The left gables are smooth rendered with corbelled cornice at eaves level and a cast-iron downpipe from the central roof valley. A single-storey link block connects the main building to the chapel at ground floor level on the left. To the right gable, there is a 1/1 sliding sash window on each upper floor facing into the yard.

A two-storey outhouse stands in the yard to the right of the house, with a natural slate hipped roof laid in diminishing courses. Its yard-facing walls are dashed with smooth rendered dressings. This elevation displays small windows to the first floor and larger windows to the ground floor. A sheeted painted timber door is housed in a semicircular-headed recess. The gable and rear wall openings are blocked. A pair of entrance gates constructed of wrought iron with dog bars at the bottom and hooped spikes at the top lead into the property from Home Avenue. They are positioned between two tall rendered granite gate posts embellished with a base course, fluted frieze along the top, projecting cornice and stepped caps. High painted rendered walls flank the gates on either side, each punctured by a wicket gate with plain rendered architrave.

The building appears on the 1835 Ordnance Survey map. The 1835 valuation book records it as occupied by William Needham Thompson, who was Customs Officer at that time. The 1863 valuation book notes Ellen H. Thompson as the occupier and describes the building as having three storeys. Valuation revision records from 1879 name Thomas Fagan as occupant, and the following year the building is described as a "home for aged and infirm, poor orphanage". The building is first cited as a convent in the 1899 valuation. A plaque above the entrance to the adjoining old people's home on the Chapel Street side states that building was erected by Thomas Fagan and presented to the Sisters of Mercy in 1898.

The garden and setting are of particular interest to the building's heritage value, as is the survival of the structure in virtually original condition. The building demonstrates architectural interest through its style, proportion, ornamentation, plan form and the quality and survival of its interior, as well as through its group value in the wider setting.