[Extract from the Antrim and Ballymena list by W D Girvan, R Oram and A J Rowan, published by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in 1970 (reprinted 1971).]
The List also covers Ahoghill, Broughshane, Connor, Galgorm,
Gracehill, Kells, Mossley, Muckamore and Randalstown
1726(keystone dated). A large well positioned block of sturdy
early 18th century proportions. Its exposed site, freestanding
at the west end of Market Square, requires four elevations. The
longer sides are of nine bays, two storeys with the end two bays
slightly projecting and an arched arcade filling in the centre
on the ground floor. Each end is different: the east facade is
similar to the longer sides with arcaded ground floor, the west
end is dominated by a large scale segment-headed Doric entrance
door, set centrally, and, half-way up the elevation, approached
by a flight of double steps; on either side two small Georgian
glazed windows with a segmental bump in the centre of each top.
The doorway is one of the richest 18th century classical conceptions
in the North of Ireland, similar in treatment to those of Gill
Hall and Moira Parish Church - obviously a pattern book production.
An octagonal cupola with ogee roof surmounts the low pitched roof.
It is a pity that the arcades were later filled up, destroying
the sense of chiaroscuro that the building once possessed.
[Note: Much of the centre of the centre of Antrim was redeveloped in the 1970s and 1980s, and the setting of the court house is now very different from the illustration above].
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A 17th century house straddling a long fortified enclosure (Bawn);
this is about 250 ft. long by 70 ft. wide, with projecting salient
angled bastions defending each corner - best preserved at the
rear of the house, where they are built into offices. The front
- five bay, three-storey with central convex - then concave Dutch
gable and a similar feature over the door, blocking out the possibility
of a central window over the door; sides two-bay, four-storey,
with attics. On the east side of the house was a bowling green,
enclosed by more walls with circular corner towers, representing
perhaps the earliest enclosure of c.1618. The house and the fortifications
it straddles must be later, presumably c.1645, when Rev. Dr. Alexander
Colville settled at Galgorm. The house plan is a typically mid-17th
century double pile plan with a central spine wall, seven feet
wide, between the two sets of rooms. The rooms were still panelled
in oak when Mrs. Delaney visited the house (then called Mount
Colville) in 1758. Only the oak stair with turned balusters and
large round heads to the newels remains of this work. C.1830 when
owned by the Lords Mountcashel, the castle was modernised; large
sash windows in brick surrounds were disposed regularly about
the four facades and the wallhead was given its curious Flemish
gables and curved battlements c.1850 (architect unknown). Sir
Charles Lanyon was consulted about the stability of the west wall;
the present front door, interior doorcases and diningroom fireplace
are all to his designs. There are fine mature beeches in the woodland
south of the house . In the grounds are ruins of a small 17th
century church (17 ft. by 32 ft.) with a circular headed south
door, a small mullioned window in one gable and a large arched
opening in the other; there is a vaulted chamber under the east
end.
Refs: DPJ 1834, II 409; Correspondence of Mrs Delaney.
[Note: Much of the grounds of the castle have recently been
sold and are to be developed in new housing.]
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