Lawther National School

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single storey, slated and gabled school finished in cream painted render, wet dashed. Main entrance front faces north.

Sprocketed eaves; cast iron rainwater goods; rectangular timber windows, some original small-paned fixed lights, but others later replacements in timber or PVC.
Doorways are rectangular timber sheeted or modern flush timber doors in plain reveals. No special features of interest, other than inscribed datestone in entrance front.

SETTING: The building stands facing the main road, set back slightly from it within its own grounds; tarmac areas all round with some trees to front; front boundary formed by a roughly coursed basalt retaining wall surmounted by modern plain iron railings; similar entrance piers with original looped iron gates. Extensive tarmac playground to rear with basalt rubble boundary walls and small basalt rubble toilet block with sheeted timber doors, and modern corrugated iron roof.

Historical information

Built in 1912, reputedly to the designs of Edwin Kennedy, architect of Belfast. Closed c 1996.

References – Primary Sources
1. Datestone on building.
2. OS Map 1921, Co Antrim 50.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This is an early 20th century building worth recording as an example of a school by a known Belfast architect, but which has lost some original features and is of little inherent architectural interest.