Compound 19

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Compound 19 comprises an enclosed area of hard standing (tarmac) defined by a high weldmesh fence on a low concrete plinth wall. The fence is divided into sections defined by timber posts with ‘street’ lamps on top. The compound is rectangular in plan with its buildings (4 Nissen Huts and 2 timber hut) located towards its west end. The compound is aligned south west to north east with open ground to the north (formerly compounds 18 and 17). To the west of the compound is the former Internment camp perimeter fence, now forming an inertia, with the tall, later concrete dividing wall between the Maze Compounds and Maze Cellular to the west. Compound 20 lies approximately 8 meters to the south.

The buildings form a group comprising the three full length Nissen Huts (E1/3-5) to the north of a ¾ length Nissen hut (E1/6), at the west end of the compound. To their east is a timber crafts hut (E1/7) and timber ablutions block (E1/8). The full length dormitory Nissen huts have 6 dormer windows fitted with external bars and timber casement, along each side with 5 dormers per side of the ¾ length hut. The huts all have timber double doors at each end, and some are fitted with timber porches. The huts comprise simple steel rib construction clad in an inner and outer corrugated sheet covering.

The ablution block forms a vertical sided timber hut with high level timber casements on its principal elevations and a door at each end. The hut is built on a concrete slab. An elevated water tank on timber support frame is located at the south end of the building. The crafts hut is located to the north of the ablution block.

The crafts hut is terrapin type hut clad in horizontal timber boarding. It has a timber door at one end with timber casements along its elevations. The building is elevated upon concrete blocks.

Outside of the fence and its gated air lock entrance, in the northeast corner, had been a Prison Service Staff Hut however this no longer survives.

Historical information

For general historical background see HB19/04/030.

Zone E1 forms a later and final phase of expansion of the Maze compounds (Phase 6), dating from January 1973. The occupants of the compounds changed due to a process of frequent rotation however only accommodated inmates affiliated to one political movement at any one time. The interiors of the huts were altered to individual tastes and the use and internal arrangement of the crafts hut or kitchen/gym hut was down to the occupants. It would appear that the fire of 1974 did not affect this compound.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
I. Quality and survival of Interior
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

V. Authorship
W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

This represents the typical arrangement found in most enclosures of the former Maze Compound prison. Its layout, arrangement and form are of interest showing the accommodation provided for politically motivated prisoners at the prision and earlier when used as the Long Kesh Internment Centre. The structures are of a generic type and may predate their 1971-2 arrangement here. They are complemented by their setting of security fences and hardstanding and are of interest as an intact group.

NB Though this group meets the legislative test and the Department has published its intention to list. It has also indicated that it will alow these temporary structures to be moved to a new location near to the other listed buildings.They will not therfore be formally listed until they are relocated near to other listed buildings on the site. This is to simplify the protection process and avoid listing , delisting and then relisting in the new location.