Crumlin Memorial Orange Hall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A single storey gabled roughcast hall with a gabled and hipped lower porch to the front. Main entrance faces north. Roof of Bangor blue slates in regular courses; buttresses to side elevations; segmental arched windows in painted smooth cement rendered surrounds with keystones; windows three-light timber fixed lights with small-paned top vents, original, with wire mesh protective grilles attached. The main feature of interest is the projecting entrance bay which has four fluted pilasters and a half-timbered gablet. Modern panelled front door is a replacement for original glazed and panelled door.

SETTING: The building stands in the village, facing the main street but set back from it within its own grounds, with a lawn to each side, and original wrought iron gates and railings of scrolling design but in poor condition forming the front boundary.

Historical information

Built in 1927-8 to designs of R.H. Gibson, architect; foundation stone laid by Viscount Craigavon on 18th April 1927, and hall opened on 9th April 1928. Damaged by malicious fire in 1996 which necessitated extensive refurbishment to rear rooms and insertion of suspended ceiling in main hall.

References - Primary Sources
1. Inscription plaques on buildings.
2. Northern Whig, 10 April 1928, p 12 (photograph of hall to accompany report on opening).

Secondary Sources
1. P. Larmour, A leader of the profession (R.H. Gibson 1890-1979), Perspective (The Journal of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects), Vol 3 No 6, July/August 1995, pp 75-77.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This is an example of an inter-war Orange Hall designed by an important Ulster architect, which retains some of its original features but is of limited interest as a work of architecture.