Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/09/016 B

Address :
Bell Tower St Colman's RC Church Longstone Road Rathfriland Newry Co Down BT34 5BT

Townland:
Barnmeen

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Tower

Former Use
Tower

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
253/6

IG Ref:
J1687 3284

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Owner Category

Church - RC

Exterior Description And Setting

Free standing cast iron bell tower located immediately to E of St Colman’s RC Church (HB16/09/016A) and adjacent to parochial house. Structure rests on a two-stage concrete plinth and comprises four tall cast-iron columns supporting an open iron base with decorative brackets to each side supporting the hand-operated bell. The dado of each column is fluted with a moulded and foliated frieze. Below their plain capitals are similar foliated bands. Columns have makers name embossed “M. Byrne. Dublin”. The bell carriage (from which the bell hangs) is inscribed ‘M. Byrne Patent Rotary Mountings’. Affixed to one end of the mounting is a slender spoked pulley from which the operating chain hangs. The bronze bell is inscribed “Ave Maria” / “Rev T. Gallery PP, 1912/ J.O’Byrne Foundry/ James Street Dublin”.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

Parish Priest believes this structure was erected in 1932 to mark the Dublin Eucharistic Congress. The bell however, is dated 1912. Primary Sources: 1) Fr Gerry Powell P.P. 2) Date on bell.

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This cast iron bell tower is an unusual structure. It survives unaltered and is in working order.

General Comments

Date of Survey

08 July 1999