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Heritage at Risk(v1.0)
CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF MERCY ST. PATRICK'S AVENUE DOWNPATRICK CO.DOWN


HB Ref No:
HB18/20/042

Address
CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF MERCY ST. PATRICK'S AVENUE DOWNPATRICK CO.DOWN

Townland:

Status:
Currently at Risk

Listing Grade:
B1


HARNI Number:
HARNI 18/20/007

Conservation Area:
Yes

Condition:
Poor

Industrial Archeology:

Occupancy:
Vacant

Vernacular:

Degree of Risk:
Moderate

Thatched:
No

Availability:
Unknown

Monument:

Current Building Use:

Derelict:


Description

Founded in 1855. The nunnery, to the North of the Chapel, is a three storey Gothic wing in brick with sandstone surrounds to windows and a high projecting gabled end. The entrance is here under a canted oriel window, with a high square tower tucked into the angle behind. All this was designed by Mortimer Thompson of Belfast and building begun in March 1872. The building is a key part of the ecclesiastical complex of the Conservation Area of Downpatrick with the adjacent church. The building is now vacant but well maintained, and it is hoped that a new use can be found for the building. When reviewed in 2024 there have been few changes to the structure but there are a number of broken windows to the rear of the structure. It is hoped that the MAG Living High Streets Initiative in Downpatrick can encourage greater reuse of this historic structure. Refs: UAHS, 1970, List of Historic Buildings Groups of Buildings Areas of Architectural Importance in the Town of Downpatrick.