Home | Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland

Heritage at Risk(v1.0)

Andrew McClelland 14/03/2003 00:00:00

HB Ref No:
HB15/05/007

Address
TANDRAGEE CASTLE, TANDRAGEE CO.ARMAGH

Townland:

Status:
Currently at Risk

Listing Grade:
B1

HARNI Number:
HARNI 15/05/001

Conservation Area:
No

Condition:
Very Poor

Industrial Archeology:

Occupancy:
Partially Occupied

Vernacular:

Degree of Risk:
Critical

Thatched:
No

Availability:
Unavailable

Monument:

Current Building Use:

Derelict:

Description

Tandragee is a small market town, built on a hill with picturesque views of the Mourne Mountains. Although its location has charmed many and it is home to a number of fine listed buildings and attractive streetscapes, like many other small towns in Ulster, its declining fortunes over the past several decades have left an unfortunate legacy of derelict and dilapidated buildings. Several former buildings at risk have been saved including nos. 90-96 Market Street (HB15/05/020) and no. 7 Church Street (HB15/05/018). The showpiece of the town, Tandragee Castle, which first appeared as a building at risk in Buildings at Risk, Vol. 4, p. 44, remains very much at risk. It occupies the commanding site of the former O’Hanlon stronghold, which passed into the ownership of the St. John family after the plantation, and subsequently to the Montagus, Dukes of Manchester. It ceased to be a seat of the Montagus in the 1950s. Built in the 1830s by Isaac Farrell in a Tudor Revival style it has lain empty, apart from a few sections, for a considerable period of time. Its restoration would certainly have a positive regenerative effect on the town that it visually dominates. Tantalisingly, according to Brett, “Looking back across the valley, the view of the castle is still as dramatic and romantic as any in the country”. The castle is now home to Tayto which offers tour of the factory, however portions of the castle still remain in poor repair and may take time to rectify. Refs: Brett, C.E.B., Buildings of County Armagh, UAHS, pp. 106-108