Northern Bank,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Corner-sited street-fronted semi-detached three-bay three-storey rendered former townhouse, built c.1850, facing northwest with a two-bay east side elevation and a lower two-storey return with a further single-storey wing. Now in use as a regional bank.

Hipped natural slate roof, M-profile to rear, roll-moulded black clay ridge tiles, lead to the northeast. Pair of large rendered chimneystacks, cement coping and clay pots. Ogee moulded cast-iron guttering to boxed timber eaves and cast-iron downpipes. Plastic rainwater goods to return.

Painted pebbledash rendered walling, rusticated render quoins to northeast corner, smooth render plinth course to front elevation only.

Square-headed window openings with painted stone sills, some replacement concrete sills, replacement 6/6 timber sash windows with angled horns, 3/6 to second floor. Wrought-iron grilles to ground floor on both elevations. Timber casement windows to return with concrete sills.

Principal west elevation is three stories high and three bays wide with an off-centre three-centred arched door opening to the ground floor with moulded render architrave surround on plinth blocks. Inset doorcase comprises replacement timber panelled door flanked by plain timber pilasters to stepped lintel cornice and glazed fanlight opening onto the street.

Three-storey east side elevation fronting onto St. Eugene Street is two bays wide with a two storey gable-ended return and single-storey wing, also fronting onto the street. A further square-headed door opening to return with replacement timber panelled door and concrete step. The single-storey structure has a vehicular entrance with double-leaf timber sheeted door.

The three-storey rear elevation has been obscured by a full-height lean-to structure to the left and a lower gabled return to the right. All windows to this elevation are replacement timber casements with security bars.

Roof Natural slate
Walling Painted pebbledash render
Windows Timber sash
Rainwater goods Cast-iron

Historical information

The building forms part of a pair with the neighbouring house (10/04/004B) and can be dated stylistically to c.1850. It was extensively refurbished c.1865 for commercial use as is evidenced by the internal fittings of the Bank Manager’s quarters on the upper levels.

There are buildings shown on the site of the present building from the time of the 1833 OS Map. Unfortunately the earliest town plan, which dates from 1828-40, has not survived, and the building is not, therefore, identifiable in the Townland Valuation. The first clear mention of the building is in Griffith’s Valuation and on the associated Town Plan (1856-64) which gives dimensions as follows: house (36.6x29x30), addition (14x5x24), addition (4x14x30) and a further three offices and two basement offices. The house belongs to William McCloy who holds it in fee and is valued at £18 3s 10d.

Annual Revisions record the value of the property as £20. In 1867 the occupiers become the Northern Banking Co. and William McCloy is the lessor. In 1879 the value is raised to £25 and a marginal note reads ‘improved’.

The Northern Bank was the scene of the murder of cashier William Glass by Sub-Inspector Montgomery on 29 June 1871. The murder of a bank cashier by a police officer caused a sensation, as did the three mistrials before new evidence emerged that Montgomery had paid off substantial gambling debts after the robbery. Upon being found guilty, he confessed his part (Marshall, p.7).

References:

Primary Sources:

1. PRONI OS/6/6/17/1 -First Edition OS Map (1833)
2. PRONI OS/6/6/17/2 -Second Edition OS Map (1854)
3. PRONI OS/6/6/17/3 -Third Edition OS Map (1905)
4. PRONI VAL/1A/6/17 -Townland Valuation Map
5. PRONI VAL/1B/637A-F -Townland Valuation Records (1828-1840)
6. PRONI VAL/2/D/6/10 -Griffith’s Valuation Town Plan (1849-1869)
7. PRONI VAL/2/B/6/40B -Griffith’s Valuation Records (1858)
8. PRONI VAL/12/E/160/1 -Annual Revision Records Town Plan (1898)
9. PRONI VAL/12/E/160/2 -Annual Revision Records Town Plan (1908)
10. PRONI VAL/12/B/42/27A-F -Annual Revision Records (1860-1929)

Secondary Sources

1. Murray, F. W. “The Baddies Have Never Had It so Good.” Ulster Herald. Jan 1971. Referenced in Hodge, Audrey M. “Gallows and Turnkeys: A Short History of Omagh Gaol” (Omagh: West Tyrone Historical Society, 1993), p.9.
2. Marshall, John J. “A Famous Tyrone Murder. Report of the Trial of George Richey for the Murder of Thomas McCrory at Omagh Assizes, August 29th 1827 With An Account of the Disturbances Afterwards at Castlecaulfield and the Ballad Composed on the Execution of George Richey.” Dungannon: Tyrone Printing Co., Limited, 1936.
3. Robinson, William. “The Newtownstewart Murders” Belfast: 183 Bedford Terrace, Renwick Place, [Pamphlet] September 15, 1873.

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
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

Originally a large townhouse, this prominent well proportioned corner house, now in use as a bank, retains its nineteenth-century appearance and together with the adjoining house (HB10.04.004B), with which it has griup value stand out as one of the most important buildings in the main street of Newtownstewart. While the interior to the ground floor has been completely modernised (partially due to bomb damage during the 1970s), the upper floors have retained original joinery and timber flooring.

General comments

This record has been split now recorded as No. 15 HB10/04/004 B, No. 17 Northern Bank is HB10/04/004 A.