St Patricks Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Detached two-storey classically styled hall, built c.1880, extensively remodelled 1935 (datestone), located on sloped site to the south side of Main Street. Rectangular-on-plan with single-storey flat roofed porch to north abutted by further single-storey rendered canted extension; two-storey lean-to extension (built c. 1995; of no interest) to west. Three-storey to south due to topography of site.

Roof is pitched natural slate on corbelled eaves; raised verges on ogee moulded kneelers; copper cupola to centre. Walls are ruled-and-lined rendered over moulded plinth. Windows are arched timber framed sliding sash to hall; square-headed timber framed 4/4 sliding sash elsewhere; all have sandstone sills.

Principal gable faces north and consists breakfront; triangular pediment with dentilled cornice containing smooth rendered plaque over plain entablature supported by fluted Corinthian pilasters; abutted at centre by porch; arched entrance opening with moulded archivolt and keyblock containing square-headed double-leaf five-panelled timber doors with sunburst fanlight flanked left and right by pair of Corinthian collonettes on projecting plinth supporting simple frieze engraved ‘St Patrick’s Hall’ surmounted by dentilled cornice and parapet; single square-headed 1/1 sliding sash window with margin lights in moulded architrave with moulded projecting cornice and sill to east.

East elevation is eight windows wide; at right, three windows at first floor; third from right extended to provide access via concrete steps through replacement square-headed timber entrance door; at centre, replacement square-headed timber sheeted door flanked left and right by two square-headed windows; three windows at first floor; at left building is three-storey, window at mid-level (now blocked) flanked at right by square-headed window to each level (mid-level now blocked); further small window at ground and first floor.

South gable contains replacement square-headed vertically sheeted timber entrance door with transom at centre; two square-headed timber casement windows at second floor.

West elevation is abutted at centre by extension; exposed section at left contains two windows and square-headed entrance door surmounted by tall transom light; exposed section at right contains single square-headed window at first floor (now blocked).

Setting

Set on sloping site with car park to south. Bounded to road at north by concrete parapet walling surmounted by modern steel railings; square gate piers to east and west contain recessed panel with 1930s ornamentation to each face; surmounted by cross-gabled coping.

Roof Natural slate
Walling render
Windows timber
RWG uPVC

Historical information

No conclusive dating evidence can be found relating to the hall.

A date plaque contained within the building states that the hall was erected by the Very Rev. Bernard Canon Maguire in 1935.

Stylistically however, the facade displays a heavy classicism characteristic of High Victorian exuberance; the porch is laid with late nineteenth-century encaustic tiles and some internal joinery is suggestive of this period.

The remainder of the hall is much plainer in character and steel frame construction is evident. The border framing the proscenium arch appears to be early twentieth century in character, and the gate piers are ornamented with a stepped motif typical of 1930s architecture. This suggests that Rev. Maguire presided over an extensive remodelling of the hall, retaining the High Victorian façade. The property appears for the first time in the Annual Revision Records in 1877 as a house, offices and garden occupied by George Bullock & Co and leased from John S Eccles. It is valued at £50.0.0 and this remains its value during the period covered by the revision records (1860-1929). The occupier becomes Samuel M McCrea in 1928.

A local history pamphlet from Fintona describes dances held in the hall; “These were like the dress dances of today…Meals were always provided…and the best bands were ordered for the special night. Invites were sent to…the ‘backs and beyonds’ of Tyrone…by ‘word of mouth’. The American soldiers who were stationed here were the most popular guests.’ (p.32)

Rowan comments; “Half-way up on the S side…set back from the road, with a showy classical front. It has a pediment with a musical cartouche mixed up with shamrocks in the centre, coupled Corinthian pilasters at the corners, and a projecting Corinthian porch, all of c1880.” (p.296)

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/12/B/41/23/A-F - Annual Revision Records (1860-1929)
2. PRONI VAL/12/E/176/1 – Annual Revision Town Plan

Secondary Sources

1. Baxter, J and Fintona Development Assoc. ‘Fintona and the Rare Oul’ Times’ (n.d)
2. Rowan, A ‘The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster’, Penguin Books, 1979

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
I. Quality and survival of Interior

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A detached two-storey hall with High Victorian classical detailing, later remodelled in 1935, located on sloped site to the south side of Main Street. The building displays some ornate stone detailing in the neo-Renaissance style, including carved Corinthian capitals and heavy cornicing. The building retains many original features and distinctive character as an unusual example of grand, rather formal and classical styling in a small town setting.