Lime Kiln,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A building of limestone rubble and firebrick, comprising a long single-storey base, raised one end to form a square podium which is surmounted by a circular flue of pulvinated profile.

The base is aligned on an east to west axis with the main opening to the base facing north and an opening in the flue facing south. The base has a small rectangular kiln opening to the left-hand side below the podium and flue, and a larger rectangular main opening to the right, but not accessible due to the degree of overgrowth which has enveloped the base. The west end of the base contains a segmental yellow firebrick arched doorway, blocked up with limestone rubble; large firebrick blocks used as quoins at the west end.
The square podium has two short nib walls projecting at the corners on the west face. The red firebrick flue stands on a base course of large firebrick blocks on top of the square podium. There is a small rectangular opening in the south side of the flue with plain reveals, a curved flat iron bar to the head, and large firebrick blocks to the recessed cill which is fronted by a deep iron strap which is continuous around the flue, bolted on the west side.

The interior is of circular form, both within the square base and within the flue, and is open at the top; lined with firebrick headers up to cill level where there is an offset of firebrick blocks; above the offset the flue walling is a single skin of red firebrick. One of the firebrick blocks of the offset is stamped with an oval manufacturer's mark inscribed with what appears to be "Ferguslie, Paisley', and 'R. Brown & Son'.

SETTING: The structure stands in a walled yard in Herbert Street, and is built up against the north embankment of the former mineral railway and separated from the pedestrian path on the embankment by modern steel fencing along the path. The yard is surfaced in grass and contains derelict single storey sheds. Embankment walling to west of kiln structure is of limestone rubble with trees and overgrowth growing on top. Front boundary walling to yard is of basalt and limestone rubble, containing a pair of corrugated iron doors mounted between a rendered square pier and a roughly squared limestone rubble garage. A short distance to the east along the former railway embankment are the former railway bridges over High Street and Harbour Road.

Historical information

Built in 1855 by Richard Wilson, land agent to the Marchioness of Londonderry; its success apparently induced the Marchioness to have a group of five larger kilns built, off Waterfall Road, in 1857, but these have now been demolished.

References – Secondary Sources
1. DOE (NI), Carnlough Conservation Area (1981).
2. F. Hamond, Antrim Coast and Glens: Industrial Heritage (HMSO, Belfast, 1991), pp 28 and 87 (item no. 58).
3. IHR 7704.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

This is a mid-19th century lime kiln of distinctive form and unusual structural system, of considerable local interest as a relic of the former industry of the village with added importance as this is now a rare survival of the type following the loss of other brick-flue kilns in the area. Together with the nearby bridges of the former mineral railway and the embankment to which it is attached it forms part of an interesting group.