Guardhouse, boundary wall and attached memorials

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A detached multi-bay single-storey barracks guardhouse, c. 1880 built by contractors Messrs. Fulton of Belfast to designs by Mr. James H. Butler, C.E., located on the south side of the St Lucia’s Barracks parade ground, east of Barracks Lane. U-shaped on plan, facing west; later L-plan extension to west, later lean-to veranda abutting west and north elevations.

Pitched natural slate roofs, blue/black angled clay ridge tiles, dressed stone and red brick chimneystacks, cast-iron rainwater goods to timber eaves fascia. Walling is random coursed, squared, rock-faced local limestone over tooled chamfered plinth. Square-headed window openings with painted timber 4/4 sashes (most have metal grilles), dressed sandstone surrounds, painted stone sills. Square-headed door openings with vertically sheeted timber doors.

Principal (west) elevation is entirely abutted by veranda (of no interest). Several windows and doors open into concrete paved veranda area, enclosed by a low wall constructed of simulated rock-faced stone with iron posts supporting veranda roof.

North elevation is entirely abutted by veranda; exposed section within has variety of doors and windows.

Rear (east) elevation is entirely abutted by extension. Extension detailed as main block with dressed quoins, variety of windows and doors.

Setting:-
The Guardhouse is situated within the enclosed St. Lucia’s Barracks complex at the south side of the parade ground with clockwise from block, 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), St. Lucia’s Club (HB11/09/005C), the Sergeant’s Mess Hall (HB11/09/005D) and the Battalion Headquarters, South Africa and two stores (HB11/09/005E).

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

Historical information

The “Guard Room” was built c.1880 by the contractors Messrs. Fulton of Belfast..

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 December1881).

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 16 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….

“On entering the front gateway of the new barracks we pass on the right the guard-house, a one-storey building with a veranda and flank towards the parade. Besides the prisoner’s rooms, cells, etc., this building also contains the Commanding Officer’s office and Orderly room which are entered off the flank or parade front…. The guard-house [was] built about three years ago, Messrs. Fulton Co. of Belfast being the contractors. [It] however remained unoccupied until recently.” (“New Military Barracks at Tyrone”)

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

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

Evaluation

A detached multi-bay single-storey barracks guardhouse, built 1881 built by contractors Messrs. Fulton of Belfast to designs by Mr. James H. Butler, C.E. The guardhouse is situated at the entrance to the complex, forming part of the main boundary wall and was the structure farthest to the south before the erection of the Army Recruitment Office (HB11/09/005G). Although alteration has taken place with significant extensions, it has fine proportions, a riobust style and displays fine Victorian craftsmanship. It is a component of the distinct architectural group of the late-nineteenth-century Barracks. 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. Submitted under the suffix HB11/09/005 E now renumbered HB11/09/005 F