Thirty three new listed buildings have been designated in the Belfast area, including 8 churches, and a stableyard connected to a former Grand National winner.
DoENI writes:
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today announced 33 new listed buildings within Belfast City Council area. These include eight Churches, a stableyard and part of the outbuildings that once housed ‘Tipperary Tim’, winner of the 1928 Aintree Grand National. Two pairs of semi-detached houses known as ‘Plevna Villas’ which are built on Cyprus Avenue, Beersbridge Road and the Upper Newtownards Road are also included.
Commenting on the latest designations, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: ‘This is a real boost for Belfast. The listing of these buildings recognises the architectural and historic interest of a wide range of structures spanning over a century of the City’s development.’
‘The variety of buildings listed reflects the City’s diverse and varied history. From older and modern churches, graveyard monuments, pillar boxes and boundary posts, to a stableyard which is part of the outbuildings that once housed a Grand National winner and which was a community museum; they all have fascinating stories to tell. Listing these structures will ensure these important cultural assets are preserved and protected. The name of Cyprus Avenue may strike a chord with music fans but these buildings are listed purely due to their architectural and historic interest. This group of four houses were erected following the industrial expansion of the Belfast and the County Down Railway. They were designed by well known local architects Young and MacKenzie, best known for their work on buildings such as the former Robinson and Cleaver, and Anderson and McAuley department stores.’
Other buildings listed are former estate workers cottages and two pavilion buildings on the Stormont Estate, and Fernhill House in Glencairn Park.
The eight churches are of various dates and styles, ranging from the more traditional Gothic Revival examples at Ballysillan Presbyterian and Cavehill Methodist Churches in North Belfast to the modernist design of Orangefield Baptist Church built in 1968. North Belfast has its own modernist example dating from 1964, the chapel at Dominican College, Fortwilliam Park which was influenced by Le Corbusier’s Chapel at Ronchamps in France.
Three Parliamentary Boundary posts dated 1918 in Gilnahirk Road and King’s Road have been listed. These mark the outer extent of the Belfast Corporation and Pottinger Electoral ward Division, and are of historical significance as a remnant of the first election in Britain and Ireland when nearly everyone – bar women under 30 – had the right to vote.
Mark H Durkan said: ‘Our built heritage is a precious and finite resource. It is important that we work together to ensure that it is valued and enjoyed into the future and that its potential to contribute to our economic and social wellbeing and regeneration is fully realised.’
These changes bring the total number of listed buildings in Belfast to 1,154.
View the press release
