Courthouse

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-storey building of cruciform plan aligned east-west, with principal façade facing south. Natural slate roof is hipped to sides, with gabled projections to front and rear; the rear gable has been incorporated in new extension to north. Parapet gutters, with metal down pipes to side elevations. At centre of roof is a timber cupola with eight multi-glazed cheeks and domed leaded roof surmounted by wrought iron weathervane. A squat cement rendered chimney rises from each end of roof ridge, and a third from rear ridge.

The front façade and two side elevations comprise the only surviving original fabric.

Front elevation is lined painted line render, with banded rustication to ground floor and ashlar granite base course. Raised stepped granite quoins to each side of façade (those to ground floor V-channelled). Between ground and first floors is a raised render platband. The central section projects forward with four shallow pilasters supporting an entablature over which is a blank pediment (with leaded copings) - the Royal crest is gone. The flanking bays have rendered raised eaves surmounted by leaded blocking course.

Modern ramp with brick retaining walls rises from right to entrance door at centre of façade. Reproduction timber door with six raised and bolection-moulded panels. Jambs have moulded render architrave and are flanked at top by scrolled granite consoles supporting a moulded entablature. Above main entrance, at first floor level, is a 12/8 sliding sash window, with granite cill, coffered apron and eared moulded architrave. The flanking bays each have a 9/6 sliding sash, similarly detailed.

Left elevation is five openings wide, the middle three breaking forward. Similar wall treatment to façade. Across ground floor are five 6/6 sliding sash windows (no horns), all with granite cills. In line, at first floor, are five 9/6 sliding sashes. The right elevation is identical but has 9/6 sliding sashes to both floors. The central window to ground floor was a doorway prior to refurbishment (new cill inserted).

Rear elevation is abutted by a large modern extension.

Premises are bounded by modern rendered wall topped with tall spiked railings.

Historical information

Designed by Thomas Duff and opened as Ballybot Court House in 1843 on ground reclaimed from the Newry River. Some minor alterations carried out in 1892 under direction of R.H. Dorman, County Surveyor for Armagh.

Damaged by bomb in 1972; listed gates and railings also destroyed. Virtually rebuilt in early 1990's, to accommodate new Courts Service requirements, retaining only front façade and side elevations and adding large extension to north.

This building was recorded on the HMBB survey card of 1969:

'1843. 2 storey. Slated roof, hipped at sides. Granite plinth, rendered walls with quoins. Platband at 1st F and horiz. V-channelling on lower storey. 3 elevations have centre portion broken forward, 4 pilasters with moulded caps. On main façade rise to entablature and pediment containing Royal arms. Simple entablature to wings with blocking course. D/H windows with g.b., moulded architraves to main façade. Central granite entrance with moulded architraves, consoles and cornice. Building is surmounted by octagonal cupola & weather vane. 60’ x 50’ '

Primary Sources:

1. OS 6" map, 2nd edition (1834) Co Down sheet 46 ( PRONI OS 6/3/46/2 )
2. Archaeological Survey Co. Down, p.420 (entry 417.7).

Secondary Sources:

3. F.H. Bell, 1989, ‘Newry, Warrenpoint & Rostrevor’, p.13 (Belfast: Friar’s Bush Press).
4. Irish Builder, vol.34, p.257 (1 Dec 1892).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A two-storey building of cruciform plan and classical appearance. Three walls are retained and the roof replicates its original structure, but the interior has been totally replaced. In addition, the considerable new extension negates its original prominence on the site. As a much-reduced façade, it is no longer of special architectural or historic interest. However, it is a significant feature in the Conservation Area and this is now a more appropriate level of protection.