27-31 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 6BW

A terraced group comprising two identical three-storey two-bay houses and one attached lower three-storey single-bay house, all dating from the mid C18th and having shop units with replica traditional-style shopfronts at ground floor, and subdivided into flats at upper floors. Rectangular plan. Pitched natural slate roofs with raised verge to exposed gable end of the taller proportion and two plain rendered chimneystacks having simple caps and multiple pots, also to the taller proportion; the lower unit has no chimneystacks. Downpipes are cast-iron, and gutters appear to be cast metal replacements. There is one cast-iron skylight to the front pitch at the right side. Walling is painted ruled and lined rendered to front, with quoins separating the two volumes. The exposed section of gable and the rear elevations are exposed rubble masonry. Windows throughout are largely (repaired) originals without horns, in plain reveals with painted masonry cills; all first floor windows are 6/6 (those to No.31 are smaller in proportion); those to second floor of No.27 are 3/6; those to the second floor of No.31 are 3/3, with head at eaves level. Principal elevation faces north-east. Nos 27 and 29 are identical, each having a shopfront with two windows over to each floor. No 31 has a shopfront with single windows over. The three shopfronts step progressively down with the gradient of the hill; each is a traditionally-styled timber-framed replica with variations; that to No.29 has two arched panes with four-panelled timber door and fascia over; No.27 is similarly detailed but with a triple arched window; panelled pilasters throughout. That to No.31 is flat arched, with a six-light window and half-glazed four-panelled door. The gables are completely abutted. The rear elevation is accessed from the street via an entry laid with original close-laid pebblestone cobbles. No.27 is abutted by a contemporary link block linking to an original two-storey rubble masony outbuilding; No 31 is abutted by a single-storey lean-to. Openings are varied in size and staggered, all having flat rubble greywacke soldiered lintels, some also with segmental brick relieving arch. Windows to rear elevation generally have exposed sash boxes. Setting: The group is set in a terrace in Irish Street, in the commercial core of Downpatrick. They are set on a steep hill surrounded by a variety of nineteenth century buildings; opposite are twentieth-century replacement buildings in a historic pastiche style. Abutting the north-west gable is a third building of similar proportions to the two larger volumes, which is not included in this description. To rear is a two-storey rubble stone outbuilding, with slated roof, timber sash windows and timber sheeted doors. Remains of an additional roofless outbuilding to rear. Rear yard to No.31 bounded by original rubble stone walling.