Valve Tower House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An octagonal tower containing valves to control the outflow from the Silent Valley reservoir, located on the east bank of the reservoir near its south-east corner beside the bellmouth overflow. Approximately 9.1m (30ft) of the tower are above embankment level and 18.2m (60ft) below. Although the tower is of concrete, the visible section is faced with rock-faced granite blocks in irregular courses over a chamfered base. There is a square entrance porch to the roadway.

The roofs of the tower and porch are flat concrete coated with asphalt. The actual tower also has a glazed lantern light. Around the roofs are low parapets with projecting copings and stringcourse below, all in ashlar granite. The windows have wooden frames and are 1/1 top-hung glazed with metal-reinforced plastic sheeting. Three granite steps lead up to the entrance which is now protected with a metal roller door. Forming the corners of the porch on either side of the doorway are square granite pillars coped with oversailing pyramidal copings and resting on bases, also of ashlar granite. The quoins and window/ door surrounds are embellished with stepped ashlar granite; the window cills are chamfered. Over the porch entrance is the inscription ‘BC & DWC’ (=Belfast City & District Water Commissioners)

Bronze plaques are set into ashlar-coped granite block wing walls on either side of the porch. That on the left outlines the history of the Mourne Scheme and details the physical dimensions of the Silent Valley reservoir. That on the right commemorates its opening in 1933. These walls continue at a lower level to the road, terminating in square ashlar piers.

Historical information

This valve house was erected between 1923 and 1926 in conjunction with the Silent Valley Reservoir (HB16/02/064) which opened in 1933. The contractor was S. Pearson & Son (London). F.W. McCullough was the BC & DWC engineer. The Duke of Abercorn, Governor of N. Ireland opened the reservoir, on 24 May 1933. In situ bronze plaques.

Primary Sources:
1. Bronze plaques on valve tower wall.
2. Original drawing of the tunnel and weir in DOE Water Service, Westland House, Old Westland Rd, Belfast (cat. no. 1C1).

Secondary Sources:
1. G. McIldowie ‘The construction of the Silent Valley reservoir, Belfast water supply’ in Proc. Institution Civil Engineers, N. Ireland Branch (Belfast 1934).
2. Belfast City & District Water Commissioners ‘The Mourne Scheme’ (Belfast 1959).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

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

Evaluation

An octagonal tower containing valves to control the outflow from the Silent Valley reservoir, located on the east bank of the reservoir near its south-east corner beside the bellmouth overflow. Approximately 9.1m (30ft) of the tower are above embankment level and 18.2m (60ft) below. Although the tower is of concrete, the visible section is faced with rock-faced granite blocks in irregular courses over a chamfered base. There is a square entrance porch to the roadway. A utilitarian structure in a spectacular mountain setting. Considerable thought has been given to its design, which has been executed to a very high standard. Historically, it is of national importance in being associated with the first reservoir of the Mourne Scheme, by which Belfast was supplied with water. It has group value in its functional association with the bellmouth overflow (HB16/02/023), scour valve house (HB16/02/024) and screening room (HB16/02/025).