Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB18/19/031

Address :
Water tower at Downshire Hospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick Co Down BT30 6RA

Townland:
Downpatrick

---

Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
08/10/1997 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Tower

Former Use
Tower

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
Yes

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:
No

---

OS Map No:
224/12

IG Ref:
J4993 4427

---

Owner Category

Central Govt Health Board

Exterior Description And Setting

Cylindrical reinforced concrete water tower of perhaps c.1920, built to serve the then Down Mental Hospital (now Downshire Hospital). The structure is located to the rear (E) of the main block of the hospital and is now almost surrounded by trees. The hospital complex itself is situated to the NE of Ardglass Road, on the SE outskirts of Downpatrick. The tower itself is roughly 11.5m in height by 4.5m in diameter, and topped with a water tank of roughly 4 x 5m. At the base of the tower there are a series of tall semicircular headed arched niches one of which is an open doorway. Half way up the tower there is an arched ‘window’ opening (filled with metal grill), and at the top of the tower, just under the tank, is a ‘machicolation’ frieze. The whole structure sits on a raised, grass-covered area, under which there is reservoir.

Architects

Not Known

Historical Information

This water tower was constructed to serve the then Down Mental Hospital (now Downshire Hospital) and, (according to Dr Fred Hamond), probably dates from c.1920. References- Secondary sources 1 R.E. Parkinson, ‘The centenary of the Downshire Hospital’ 1869-1969 (1969) 2 EHS ‘Water tower, Downshire Hospital…’ Report by Dr Fred Hamond, November 1989

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

F. Structural System G. Innovatory Qualities

Historic Interest

Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Uncommon cylindrical reinforced concrete water tower of perhaps c.1920, built to serve the then Down Mental Hospital (now Downshire Hospital).

General Comments

Date of Survey

10 November 2000