Water Tower

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Tall, prominent cylindrical water tower (topped with a large tank) of c.1910-20 set on a slight rise in a park in the SW outskirts of Donaghadee.

The tower and tank are constructed in in situ (mesh) reinforced concrete, The tower section measures roughly c.16m in height by 7m in diameter and topped with a water tank of c.4m (h) x 7.5m. The tower section has a ‘battered’ base with semicircular arch recesses, one of which contains a doorway with metal door. There are two semicircular arched ‘window’ openings (one directly above the other) on the N ‘side’ of the tower. The top of the tower (just below the tank) has a ‘frieze’ (or ‘skirt’) with open based arched recesses. The tank has a simple parapet, base and conical roof.

This tower is important as it is a still intact early example of the use of reinforced concrete, however, it is now unused and drab looking. It needs to be given a purpose.

Historical information

This tower was constructed by Donaghadee Urban District Council around c.1912 and provided the town with its first mains water supply. It remained in use until the 1940s, when it was superseded by Orlock reservoir.

The water tank has a capacity of 30,000 gallons.

Secondary sources

1. Dept of Environment & Heritage HB report by Fred Hammond (25 Sept. 1989), also containing plans/ elevations.
2. Hugh Dixon et al Historic buildings, groups of buildings, buildings of architectural importance in Donaghadee and Portpatrick (UAHS 1977), p.32.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Large reinforced concrete water tower of c.1912, now unused. The importance of this tower lies in the fact that it is an early example of the use of reinforced concrete. It now forms the focal point in a well used park and is a well recognised landmark.