Sergeants Mess Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A detached two-bay two-storey-over-sunken-basement stone barracks, built 1881 by Messrs. Colhoun Brothers of Derry, located on the east side of the parade ground, east of Barracks Lane. Asymmetrical plan, gable-fronted facing west; hipped return with single-bay single-storey annex to south, two-storey projecting bay to north, lean-to single-storey extension to east, flat-roofed projection to south, modern lean-to extension (of no interest) to south of return.

Pitched natural slate roofs, blue/black angled clay ridge tiles, dressed sandstone chimneystacks, ogee-profile cast-iron gutters and square-profile downpipes. Walling is coursed squared rubble local limestone with dressed sandstone quoins, platbands at sill and lintel levels, chamfered eaves course and chamfered granite plinth. Windows are square-headed uPVC casements, dressed sandstone surrounds and sills, ground floor openings have relieving arches.

Principal (west) gable has a window to each bay, paired opening at ground floor with two square-headed timber raised-and-fielded panelled doors surmounted by six-light overlights at right end. To apex is a clock set in a moulded stone surround; the gable is raised and carried on kneeler stones.

North elevation has a projecting gabled bay to left, with two paired windows to ground floor and a tripartite window to first floor; right cheek is blank except for two first floor square window insertions, left cheek is a single window wide. Remainder of elevation is three windows wide with first floor modern door insertion accessed by a modern spiral fire escape.

East elevation is abutted by a single-storey extension; exposed section first floor has two windows surmounted by gable with louvred oculus. Extension detailed as main block.

South elevation is abutted by projection (of no interest) to left end and return to right end. Exposed section has shortened ground floor window at left end. Return is abutted by lean-to extension to left (of no interest) and annex to right; exposed section first floor has variety of windows (some diminished).

Setting:-
The Sergeants Mess Hall is situated within the enclosed St. Lucia’s Barracks complex at the east side of the parade ground with clockwise from block, Battalion Headquarters, South Africa and two stores (HB11/09/005E), Guardroom (HB11/09/005F), Army Recruiting Centre (HB11/09/005G), the Officer’s Mess Hall (HB11/09/005A), the Waterloo and St. Lucia’s Barracks Block (HB11/09/005B) and St. Lucia’s Club (HB11/09/005C).

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Local limestone
Windows: uPVC
RWG: Cast-iron

Historical information

The “Sergeants’ Mess,” formerly called the “Canteen” was built 1881, probably by contractors Messrs. Colhoun Brothers of Derry. The St Lucia Club was built c.1910.

The barracks, presently known as St. Lucia’s, were built for the Royal Inniskilling Fusilier Regiment under the direction of Mr. James H. Butler, C.E., the superintending officer of the Royal Engineer Department by the contractors Messrs. Fulton of Belfast and Messrs. Colhoun Brothers of Derry. The original buildings were “built of the local limestone, with Dungannon grit-stone dressings [and] all the external walls are brick lined as preventative to damp….” (Tyrone Constitution 16th December 1881).

The buildings first appear on an 1882 ordnance survey town plan of Omagh captioned “Infantry Barracks”. The “Old Barracks” are captioned behind the gaol (HB11/09/005A, B, D, E and F).

In 1879, a new entry is made in Annual Revision records, “Northern range of new Military Barracks, consisting of regimental shops and stores, Paymasters Office, soldiers quarters, Militia Office and Bread Store, Regimental Shop and meat store. Central Military Station. Northern Division. £265. Also commanding officers and orderly room, guard room &c. £35.” A marginal note records: “45x45x24 – 1 storey, 270x25½ - 3 storeys. Cost estimated 14,000, extras 1,500, total about 15,500. Chisel dressed limestone with freestone coins built by Fulton of Belfast and a further contract of £25,000 has been taken by Cahoon of Derry.” In 1881, a further addition is made: “Eastern & Western Division £500.”

The Tyrone Constitution of 16th December 1881 reports that “some years ago the government purchased a piece of ground at the rear of the old Militia Barracks, Omagh, and on this have been erected buildings to meet all the requirements of a Brigade Depot Barracks…. The works which cost from £30,000-£40,000 have been carried out in a most satisfactory manner….

“In the North angle of the Parade, facing the officers’ mess are erected the hospital and canteen, both large and elegant blocks….

“The canteen is a very commodious building, on the ground floor it contains the shop and tap with separate entrances, off the tap is a large tap room.

“On the upper floor are the Recreation room, with coffee bar attached, and the reading room, both of which are reached by a separate entrance from the parade. On this floor also are quarters for the canteen-Sgt. and librarian.

“By another door further on the right we enter the Sgts. Mess. The Mess room is large and commodious, a passage at the end of the room leads to the kitchen, cooks quarters, larder store, scullery, etc. An extensive drill-shed has been erected, also a laundry and infant school, in the old barracks enclosure.

References:
Primary Sources
1. OS/8/40/1/1-5 – Ordnance Survey Town Plan of Omagh (1882)
2. VAL/12/B/41/36A-H – Annual Revision Records (1860-1903)
3. VAL/12/E/186/1/2-3 – Annual Revisions Town Plan (1882-1909)

Secondary Sources
1. Coey, Alastair. “St. Lucia’s Barracks, Omagh, Condition Report.” (February 2007). Prepared for the Ministry of Defense. Belfast: Alastair Coey Architects, 2007.
2.“Col. George B. Stokes” “Tyrone Constitution.” 28 October 1881. Quoted in Mitchell, Haldane, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 6 (Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1998), p.22.
3. Core, John. “Historical Record of the 2nd (Now 80th), Or Royal Tyrone Fusilier Regiment of Militia, From the Embodiment in 1793 to the Present Time.” Omagh: Alexander Scarlet, 1872.
4. Elliott, Wesley J. “The History of the 5th (Territorial Army) Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers” in Haldane Mitchell, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 7. (Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1999), p.152-155.
5. Mitchell, Haldane, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 2. Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1991.
6. Mitchell, Haldane, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 6. Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1998.
7. “New Military Barracks at Omagh.” “Tyrone Constitution.” 16 December 1881. Quoted in Mitchell, Haldane, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 6 (Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1998), p.22.
8. “Omagh Cricket Club – vs. – Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers.” “Tyrone Constitution.” 30 September 1881. Quoted in Mitchell, Haldane, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 6 (Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1998), p.22.
9. Rowan, Alistair. “North West Ulster: Londonderry, Donegal, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.” Buildings of Ireland Series. Dublin: Penguin Books, 1979.
10. “Soldiers for a New Barracks.” “Tyrone Constitution.” 2 September 1881.Quoted in Mitchell, Haldane, ed. “Images of Omagh and District.” Vol. 6 (Omagh: Rotary Club of Omagh, 1998), p.22.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

A detached two-bay two-storey-over-sunken-basement stone barracks mess hall, built 1881 by Messrs. Colhoun Brothers of Derry. This substantial mess hall has fine proportions, style and is an important component of the distinctive architectural group that is the Barracks complex. Although alteration has taken place along with the loss of fenestration, it remains a fine example of quality Victorian craftsmanship in a robust style. The barracks complex occupies an elevated and imposing site in the town, reflecting an important aspect of the architectural and social heritage of Omagh, as well as strong historic links to The Royal Irish Regiment and The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The complex is unusual in its completeness and degree of preservation.

General comments

Previoulsy recorded as HB11/09/005 - full report submitted HB11/09/005C included Seargeants Mess Hall and St Lucias Club. Record split and Seargeants Mess Hall is now recorded as HB11/09/005D