House at Montalto, Dromore Road, Ballymaglave north, Ballynahinch, Co Down, BT24 8PX

Long, single storey gabled cottage of largely pre-1834 construction, with a distinctive Jacobean style folly-like three to four storey tower. The building, which was apparently once used as a schoolhouse, but is now an occasional dwelling, is set within the Montalto estate, on a slight rise to the S of Montalto House. The tower is located in the centre of the front (E) elevation. It projects forward roughly 2 metres and is topped with baroque gables. To the middle of the ground floor is a recessed gothic arched doorway with plain fanlight and modern sheeted door. To the left f the tower are three 2/2 sash windows. That to the right side is slightly narrower. To the left of the tower are a further three 2/2 sash windows. That to the left is narrower and set slightly lower. The N and S gables have bargeboards with slight overhangs and a small single 2/2 sash window. The W façade faces out on to an enclosed yard which is enclosed by a 2 metre high wall. The elevation has four unevenly spaced 2/2 sash windows to the right. The windows are all of slightly different size and are set at different heights. Between the first and second windows (From left) is a small boiler housing with a stainless steel flue. To the far right is a sheeted door with a small vision panel. The façade is rendered and painted and the gabled roof is slated. Two skylights to rear. Three rendered chimney stacks. In a garden-like area to the front of the building there is a two stage stone ‘podium’ with panels and cornicing. Apparently this used to have a ‘bell shaped top decorated with floral swags’, but this has now been taken off.