Dunlop Primary School. Old School House. Clandeboyes Hall.
Where is Dunlop? : More photos of Dunlop.
by Martin J. Galloway Editor.

There aren't very many villages that can say they had a School built in 1641. Even less that can say it's still standing and in good condition today. Remarkably this small stone structure named after Lord Viscount Clandeboye, the man who had it built, was used as a School for 196 years. In fact it stood in the shadow of the present day Parish Kirk as it was being built in 1835. The new larger Kirk however brought an increased number of parishioners and during the Christmas Service of 1836 it was decided that a larger school building was needed. The Clandeboye Hall has survived in part due to it's location on a steep hill, lending itself to excellent drainage. Water being the biggest killer of historical buildings. It has gone through some changes over the years, the front door has been covered over on the east side facing the street.

An extension on the north side required the original windows to be covered in to facilitate a hallway and stairs. The stairs to the second floor were originally on the exterior. It is interesting to note that the Kirk stone wall only starts halfway along the north face of the Hall. Half being inside the Kirk grounds and the other half out on the street.

Today it sits unused, but the wear and tear of the varnish on the front door tells of a very different past. It's a great piece of 17th Century architecture and let's hope it continues to garner the respect it deserves - unlike the Tomb around the back.