Bank of Ireland

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A flat roofed two and three-storey bank in Art Deco style.

Main entrance faces north. Entrance front symmetrical, comprising a three-storey central block flanked by two-storey lower wings. Central block three windows wide to upper floors; flat roofed with crenellated parapet set back slightly from line of main wall on front and sides; wall of smooth cement render, lined, blocked, and painted cream. Windows to upper floors rectangular metal comprising a fixed light beside a side hung casement with transom lights, including one top hung transom light to each window; windows set in white painted rectangular vertical recesses with a painted metal panel of repeated lozenge motifs in Art Deco style between heads of first floor windows and cills of second floor windows. Ground floor of central block steps forward slightly; contains large three-light metal window with broad mullions, all painted white; comprises large central rectangular fixed pane with rectangular bottom hung fanlight, with smaller fixed lights and similar fanlights each side; below central and left hand fixed panes, moulded rectangular metal panels; panel to right has simplified moulding and contains night safe; fluted frieze band between each fixed pane and its fanlight.

Above ground floor windows, a full width frieze panel containing name ‘Bank of Ireland’, not original letters. Below ground floor windows, stepped concrete plinth in two stages, one stage painted mauve, the other painted brown.

Flanking two-storey wings step forward slightly from central block; both symmetrical in design, flat roofed with step-form parapet set back slightly to front and sides; step-form buttresses to each extremity; one window to first floor, rectangular metal divided into six panes comprising fixed light with flanking side hung casements below corresponding top hung vents and fixed light, set in rectangular moulded recess with projecting concrete cill. Below window, large rectangular doorway to each wing, set in rectangular moulded surround. Doorway to left is main entrance to bank: rectangular double doors of varnished hardwood each leaf three-panel, set between moulded hardwood surrounds, with rectangular fanlight over. Fanlight subdivided by arrow-pattern metal grilles in Art Deco style, painted white. Original hexagonal brass door knob and Art Deco style brass knocker. Three steps to front door: concrete at base with two moulded granite steps above. Doorway to right has what appears to be a four leaf folding door in varnished hardwood, panelled, set below hardwood head, sides of doors flush behind stepped concrete surrounds, with metal grilled fanlight over as to other wing. Concrete ramped approach to doors from pavement; originally this led to garage for bank manager. Above window of each wing modern bank motif, with various modern light fittings attached to both wings and central block.

East elevation comprises three-storey side of central block with side of two-storey wing projecting below, incorporating one set back. Side of wing blank, smooth cement render finish, painted cream; flat roof with square section cast iron gutter. Side of central block contains one window centrally positioned, timber sliding sash, vertically hung, 1 over 1, with horns. To left hand extremity a circular section cast iron downpipe; to right hand side a step-form chimney with three pots, with step-form crenellated parapet to right hand extremity, returning from front facade. Roof to left of chimney is flat with square section cast iron gutter.

Extending to left hand side from left hand extremity of projecting wing, the side wall of rear basement storey, dry dashed with white pebbles and chippings. Extending to left of that, concrete board-marked boundary wall terminating in iron door to rear yard; modern steel spiked railings surmounting basement storey and east boundary wall.

South or rear elevation: three-storey central block with two-storey wings, all in same plane, flat roofs with square section cast iron gutters; circular section cast iron downpipes to each extremity of central portion, with rectangular hoppers; one similar downpipe, without hopper, to right hand wing. Walls smooth cement rendered, painted grey. Centrally positioned full-height rectangular chimney breast to central block, projecting above eaves height and finished with step-back all round and surmounted by pots. Asymmetrical arrangement of windows to rear elevation, two to second floor, four to first floor, and four to ground floor, all rectangular timber sliding sash, vertically hung, 1 over 1, with horns, with projecting cills; horizontal iron bars fitted to ground floor windows. Projecting at base, flat roofed single-storey basement, with cast iron downpipes of main block extending across its roof to be taken down beyond basement block; square section cast iron gutter; felt roof covering. Concrete yard to rear, with rendered boundary walls to south and west.

West elevation is largely obscured by adjoining building but upper portions visible: side wall of central block cream painted blank wall; flat roof with square cast iron gutter; circular cast iron downpipe; to left hand side a chimney with step-form top, surmounted by three pots; to left of chimney left hand extremity of central block has crenellated set-back parapet, returning from front elevation. Side of wing similar to left hand portion of central block but parapet plain and chimney projecting forward.

Setting: the building stands in the main street of the town facing directly onto the pavement. It is abutted to the west by a lower two-storey shop of entirely modern design and materials; to the east is an empty plot.

Historical information

Built in 1933; architect, A.G.C. Millar of Dublin.

References - Primary

1. Irish Builder, 21 May 1932, p 484 and 15 July 1933, pp 582 and 610.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

This building is a fine example of the Art Deco style in architecture which is fairly uncommon in Northern Ireland, designed by a well-known Irish architect of the time. It has the distinctive proportions and ornamentation that are the hallmark of the style and is especially important as the interior, despite some changes, retains its characteristic detailing.