9 Abbey Yard, Newry, Co Down, BT34 2EG

Nine Abbey Yard is the left-hand townhouse of a terrace of three classical Georgian buildings, each of three storeys with basement and attic, situated on the east side of Abbey Yard in Newry.

The building has a mansard roof with a hip to the left, covered in natural slate with lead trimmings. Three metal skylights illuminate the front pitch and three modern skylights the rear pitch. Chimneys of cement render stand to left and right, shared with the adjacent property (number 8). A parapet gutter with metal downpipe runs across the facade, also shared with number 8.

The walls are painted, lined cement render. A granite parapet course runs along the wall head, and stepped V-channelled quoins define the left corner. The quoins are unpainted render at ground floor level, becoming granite from first floor upwards. A chamfered granite string course sits between basement and ground floor.

The main entrance is positioned at ground floor centre, accessed by two granite steps and a granite paved bridge spanning the basement passage. The door is a reproduction six-panel timber door with raised and fielded panels and beaded muntin, fitted with modern furniture. It is set between two granite Tuscan demi-columns supporting a moulded granite entablature. Above this sits a segmental reproduction peacock-tail fanlight. The entire composition is framed within a granite pole-mould chamfered segmental-headed opening. The door is fixed and no longer in use; access is gained from number 8 instead. A modern coach lamp is mounted on the wall to the right of the door.

Flanking the main door at ground floor are single 6/6 sliding sash windows without horns, each set on a granite cill. At basement level, a modern six-panel door sits centrally beneath the front steps, flanked by two 6/3 sliding sash windows set within three-piece granite lintels and jambs with keystones. All basement windows have granite cills and security bars. A shared spiked railing with urn-topped posts on a chamfered granite base wall encloses the basement passage with number 8.

The first floor contains three equally spaced 6/6 sliding sash windows, each with a plain wrought iron balconette decorated with small rosettes. The second floor has three similar windows of diminished height, with those to centre and right offset to the right of the ground floor openings. A modern security alarm box is positioned to the left of the central first floor window.

The left gable is abutted by a lower link block. The remainder of the left elevation is painted lined cement render. The parapet continues from the facade halfway across, then the wall steps down to rear eaves level with a semicircular gutter and downpipe to the left. At second floor level on the left, a small fixed timber window is set into the wall. The extreme left portion has been cut back (including the roof), with the recess containing a timber-clad stairwell projection.

The rear elevation is painted lined cement render. The wall to the right has been cut back and formerly contained a timber stairwell return, now under reconstruction to accommodate a new stairwell with lift. Two openings appear on each floor of the remaining wall. At basement level right is a modern six-panelled reproduction door; to the left is a 6/3 sliding sash with security grill. At ground floor right is a 6/6 sliding sash with horns; to the left is a tripartite window of two 6/6 sliding sashes flanked by 2/2 sliding sashes. All have granite cills. Upper floor windows follow the same pattern, with diminished heights at second floor. The rear basement passage is enclosed by modern railings and planters with modern steps leading to the rear courtyard.