Historic Buildings Record · Northern Ireland
World War II Observation post
Ballyrogan, Ards and North Down, Northern Ireland
The record
- Designation
- Record only (not listed)
- Grade
- Record Only
- Type
- World War II Structures
- Date of construction
- 1940 - 1959
- Address
- World War II Observation post, Ballyrogan Td., [near Newtownards], Co. Down, BT23
- Townland
- Ballyrogan
- Council
- Ards and North Down
- Country
- Northern Ireland
- Coordinates
- 54.60107, -5.74277
- Date of survey
- 07 April 1998
- HB reference
- HB24/11/043
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
Shown on 2 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1937 "OS 1:25,000 1937-1961" (National Library of Scotland).
The Department's description
Exterior description and setting
World War II underground (observation) bunker with access shaft (c.1.m square) on top of a rise S of the Belfast Road, c.1.5 miles W of Newtownards. The shaft leads to three chambers. The first chamber is a c.1m square lobby (at the base of the shaft), with a c.1m x 2m room (which may have been a toilet), and a third room c.5m x 4m [?] (which may have served as sleeping quarters). There are two ventilator shafts c.0.75m square which stand just less than 1m above ground.
The post is now (obviously) derelict and neglected, but largely intact.
Historical information
This observation post appears to have been constructed during the Second World War as a look out post guarding the southern approaches to Belfast.
Criteria for listing: architectural interest
Not listed
Criteria for listing: historic interest
Not listed
Evaluation
World War II observation post with underground chambers, now neglected but largely intact.
Nearby in the register
- Windmill StumpWindmillunder 1 mi
- [Derelict] CottageHouseunder 1 mi
- 165 Belfast RoadHouseunder 1 mi
- Milecross CottageHouseunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.