WWII Pillbox adj to Ulster Bus Depot

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Strategically placed half-way up the steep hill on the east side of the town, with commanding views across to the Mourne Mountains. Now at the NE corner of the Ulsterbus depot. A small one-storey structure, rectangular in plan. Flat mass-concrete roof, walls of unrendered concrete and partly of cement-rendered granite rubble. Entrance is on W side, with steps down, but door is now blocked. Single wide splayed rectangular firing loop at right end of S elevation, other walls are blank.

Historical information

There were around 24 pillbox plan types developed during WW2. This one is a standard example, employed to defend a main route into Rathfriland. The concrete construction is typical.

Primary Sources:

1. B.Lowry “20th Century Defences in Britain” (Council for British Archaeology 1996).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This structure is the only civil defence structure within the town of Rathfriland, primarily of local historical interest.