[Extract from the Downpatrick list by Lady Dunleath, P J Rankin and A J Rowan, published by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in 1970 (reprinted 1971 and 1973).]
Built by Edward Southwell in 1733 to provide almhouses for 6 men
and 6 women with schools for 10 poor children and restored in
1826 at the expense of Lord de Clifford. One of the best Early
Georgian buildings in Ulster, symmetrically arranged to face the
Mall, but now dominated by it since the street level was raised
some 15 feet in 1790. The design, built of brick with dressed
stone quoins and ashlar cupola, is typical of Irish Palladianism.
Two teacher's houses, 3-storey, 3-bay, with a circular-headed
Gibbs centre window and modillion eaves cornice, flank the long
main block and are attached to it by low quadrant wings. This
centre is really a standard 18th century stable block modified
to suit the purposes of the charity. Two school rooms, slightly
projecting and lit by a pair of high arched windows (like coach
houses in a stable), flank the row of almhouses. These are 5-bay,
2-storey, on either side of a central arched feature (once again
like stables). The arch is surmounted by a high circular-headed
window, a pediment, and a squat quadrangular cupola that rises
high above the rest of the group.
Features of note in the building are the juxtaposition of different
scales, the careful detailing with stone trim to emphasise the
windows of the central and end blocks, and an odd personal mannerism
of the designer - a thin nodding ogee arch cut in the brick above
alternate windows in the almhouses .
The passage through the archway is of cross-vaulted brick work,
the back and sides of harled rubble. To the rear, ranges of six
low slated store rooms (without windows) flank a bold brick archway
with Gibbs surround and heavy pediment. This too is dated 1733.
The school house at the East end was extended in the 19th century
with a brick addition at the back.
Refs: Archaeological Survey; Parkinson, E.; Wallace; Lewis.
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Nos. 34, 36 & 38: 1739. Attractive diminutive-scale houses.
2-storey with 7 very narrow windows on the upper floors, surrounded
by stucco mouldings. No. 34 has a good 19th-century shop front.
A date stone inscribed D.W.L. 1739 is between Nos. 36 and 38.
Nos.46 and 48: c. 1750. A high rectangular block of 2 houses;
3 storey, 4-bay, of excellent early 18th century proportions with
small sash windows.
Nos. 50 and 52: c. 1800. Two houses united by a rather crude projecting
porch clamped across the join. No. 50 originally a pretty 3-storey,
4-bay stone block with Georgian glazing and broad sash boxes.
No. 60: c.1820. An attractive double-fronted, stucco house with
large Georgian windows; 3-bay, 2-storey with a semi-circular radiating
fanlight over the door.
[Note: most of this terrace was demolished in 1991 and replaced
with new housing by the N I Housing Executive].
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