Former Power station

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A tall one-storey building situated on left bank of Newry River at south end of a sloping weir set at an angle to the flow. Pitched roof has disappeared. Walls of red brick over a shuttered concrete basement. Granite steps lead up to entrance towards left side of south wall. Opening has flat brick head; only left timber door frame survives. To right is a window opening, now devoid of frame. Left and right gables both have a single window opening at centre, now with bricks missing below cill. Small blind roundel to each apex. Window towards right on north elevation also with bricks missing to jambs and under cill.

Water diverted by weir into holding pond just beyond east gable. Vee-profile trash rack just above segmental headed arch into basement, in the upper half of which turbine is located. Flow regulated by vertical timber sluice with rack and pinion; decayed remains survive, but not in situ. Spent water emerges under west segmental arched west gable to tailrace and river. Concrete lined channel with vertical sluice emplacement immediately north of house for diversion of water when turbine undergoing inspection.

Historical information

First appears in Valuation Revision Book entry dated 1904 under the operation of W&G Moorhead. Taken over by David Ferris in 1920, and still in use until after 1930.

Primary Sources:

1. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12B/22/16A, p.80;
2. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12E/125/1/7;
3. Valuation revision books, 1866-1930, PRONI VAL 12B/22/16C, p.74.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A tall one-storey building situated on left bank of Newry River. Of local interest in being the only hydro-electricity station yet recorded in Newry but insufficient fabric remains to merit listing.