Former Bingian School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Single storey/ three bay school facing south. Rectangular plan with return and two small flat roofed porches to rear.

Roof is gabled with natural slates, overhanging eaves and exposed purlin and rafter ends. Cast iron rainwater goods. Single rendered chimney to left of doorway. Walls are painted and rendered, with black painted plinth.

On road-facing (main) façade, is a vertically sheeted door with six paned transom light. There are three windows to left of door to main classroom, and two to right to smaller room. All windows have small panes set in metal frames. Tablet to south wall reads “Bingian Public Elementary School.” High windows to gables – two to east, one to west.

Rubble stone wall to boundary.

Historical information

On closure as a school it was used as an outdoor pursuit centre by Southern Education and Library Board and subsequently Belfast Royal Academy, who sold it to the present owner (name unknown) 1994/5. The 1975 photograph shows a second chimney on right gable.

Primary Sources:
1. Belfast Royal Academy.
2. 1975 Photograph in Historic Monument Record, EHS 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast BT12LA.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Largely original schoolhouse in simple yet classic style, in fine setting against open mountain.