ABOUT US
Comber is a place of many people, of many places and of many stories. No.14 is just another story. A story of discovery and delight. A story of adventure and affection. The doors of No.14 are waiting for you to open. What awaits within the walls of this historic house are more than simple meals. They are memories to be made. They are desires to be fulfilled. They are stories to be told.
Comber is a town steeped in history. From the minds of the Titanic to the heroic exploits of Major General Rollo Gillespie. Now, No.14 adds to that history. Standing dominant in the square of the town, the Georgian House serves as the testament of Comber society. From the hearth of the fireplace to the Apple trees of the walled garden, the house easily wraps its welcoming warmth around you and acts as a beacon to those passing by.
The journey beyond the black door awaits. The hungry explorer will venture through contemporary Irish cuisine in a setting reminiscent of 17th Century Ireland with a modern twist.
We at No. 14 are very proud to source high quality, local produce. This
means that from supplier to plate, you can be rest-assured that the
highest quality produce is being used and being sourced all within the
local region.
Some of those suppliers are listed below:
Springmount Farm(free range eggs)
Stonebridge Cottage Farm (pork)
Richard Orr (potatoes)
Glasswater Farm (vegetables)
Manor farm (hicken)
Keenans (fish)
Lisdergan (beef /lamb)
Draynes Farm (dairy)
HISTORY
The Georgian House has a history going back to 1722. The house is occupied at what was the Colville’s Comber estate. The property was in the ownership of the Allen family until the early 20th century. The property process some traditional and beautifully designed interior with an exterior that matches the interior aesthetically.
Large and impressive two stories double-pile house set at the end of a terrace, whose front half probably dates from the mid-1700s, with the rear half from c.1840. The front façade has decorative mouldings to the openings which may date also from c.1840.
There has been a restoration of the walled garden at the rear of the house, which gives the site a summer feel. Much of its historical character is kept and new furniture placed but still has that traditional touch. The name ‘Comber’ derives from the junction of two rivers: the Glen River and the Enler River.
The front part is mid 18th century, but it was extended to the rear around 1840, probably by Dr Jonathan Allen. The site is next to an old tannery was owned by the Allen family and later traction engines were built on the site by James George Allen. Note the traces of furnaces in the wall as you walk on the path towards the car park. The house is situated in a square that has a Georgian origin.
The property, according to a historical map was the possession of Alan Ralph, who was mentioned in the title deeds of the property in 1789. The OS map of 1834 shows a building equivalent to the front gabled portion of the present house, with what appears to be a return to the rear. The dimensions of this property, which are given in the contemporary valuation records, confirm this and show that the house was two storey, possessed a basement and attic and was judged by the values to be on reasonable age- probably 18th century.
The present owner acquired the house in 1950. To the rear and east of this house, the Allen family also owned a small tannery which is noted in the 1833 valuation and which remained in business until c.1900, when James Allen converted the site for the production of traction engines.
OUR CHEF
Jim Mulholland has found his home within the walls of the Georgian House. Jim has a highly devoted team behind him, ready to take you on a journey of your taste buds and explore the hidden gems of local produce.
His style and vision was formed in his early years with the smells of the small Irish kitchen stove with freshly baked Soda Bread, goat’s milk from the mountains and homemade Jams. Jim has sought to re-create that feeling of childhood, warmth and memories of the taste of food that lingered for days and left you searching for more.
Jim loves the discovery of local treasures like Lough Neagh fishery or Heritage potatoes. His aim is to blend the old and new to tell the story of Ireland’s past along with it’s future. His ethos of creativity and culinary expression has led to an individual style that is both rare as it is highly sought after.
Jim has been the recipient of many accolades for his style and has mentored dozens of young chefs to become keen and enthusiastic members in the culinary world of London and abroad.
It is local produce cooked well and given the Mulholland signature. This is Irish food.
