Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/08/058

Address :
WWII Pillbox adj to Ulster Bus Depot Downpatrick St Rathfriland Newry Co Down BT34

Townland:
Cross

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
World War II Structures

Former Use
World War II Structures

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
Yes

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OS Map No:
253/8

IG Ref:
J2018 3352

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Owner Category

Private

Exterior Description And Setting

Strategically placed half-way up the steep hill on the east side of the town, with commanding views across to the Mourne Mountains. Now at the NE corner of the Ulsterbus depot. A small one-storey structure, rectangular in plan. Flat mass-concrete roof, walls of unrendered concrete and partly of cement-rendered granite rubble. Entrance is on W side, with steps down, but door is now blocked. Single wide splayed rectangular firing loop at right end of S elevation, other walls are blank.

Architects

War Office

Historical Information

There were around 24 pillbox plan types developed during WW2. This one is a standard example, employed to defend a main route into Rathfriland. The concrete construction is typical. Primary Sources: 1. B.Lowry “20th Century Defences in Britain” (Council for British Archaeology 1996).

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This structure is the only civil defence structure within the town of Rathfriland, primarily of local historical interest.

General Comments

Date of Survey

06 June 1999