Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB16/08/059

Address :
Water tower on Castle St Rathfriland Newry Co Down BT34

Townland:
Rossconnor

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Survey 2:
Record Only

Date of Listing:

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Water Works Structures

Former Use
Water Works Structures

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

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OS Map No:
253/4

IG Ref:
J2012 3376

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Owner Category

Central Govt

Exterior Description And Setting

Situated on the highest point in Rathfriland, on S side of Castle Street. Comprises two towers – the earlier is a square concrete tower over a base, and the later a tall concrete tower of inverted cone profile standing c.25m high. 1. Square tower The square tank advances from four supporting concrete walls which enclose the space below; metal door in N face of wall, but otherwise devoid of openings. On N elevation are three pipes encased in timber. External two-stage vertical metal ladder to covered top, which has a single bar metal handrail around and manhole cover to access the water inside. Now disused. 2. Inverted cone tower The reservoir surmounts a narrow stem 3.6m dia. Of cast-in situ reinforced concrete throughout, with marks of shuttering evident. Metal door at west side, with three lights above. Holds 158,000 gallons supplied from Spelga Dam (via Fofanny treatment works).

Architects

DoE Water Service

Historical Information

The smaller tank was fed from Leitrim Reservoir near Hilltown (HB16/07/55) and is now disused. The taller tank was erected in late 1970s and brought into commission in 1982 to replace the earlier water tank. It has a capacity of 0.718 megalitres. Primary source: 1. Mr Brian Adair, Water Service Records, Marlborough House, Central Way, Craigavon. Secondary sources: 1. M.H. Gould and R.C. Cox, ‘The water tower in Ireland’ (Proc Institution Engineers Ireland, forthcoming). 2. C.J. Horner, ‘A study of the uses of water towers in Northern Ireland’ (unpublished honours thesis, Dept Civil Engineering, Queen’s University, Belfast).

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

Not listed

Historic Interest

Not listed

Evaluation

The inverted cone tank is a well known landmark, visible for many miles around. Of the 11 water towers which supply the public in N. Ireland, this is the only one of this profile and construction.

General Comments

Date of Survey

10 June 1999