Newry Town Hall Gets a Makeover

Newry Town Hall Gets a Makeover 

Newry’s historic Town Hall has undergone a renovation courtesy of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Derryleckagh Contracts Ltd, and Kriterion Conservation Architects. 

The recently completed Phase 1 works involved external conservation repairs to the building to address weathering and deterioration problems that had led to water penetration above the auditorium and stage areas. 

Works included: Dismantling brickwork parapets, chimneys and features, installing lead and/or other weatherproofing trays and flashings, and rebuilding parapets and chimneys to prevent water ingress through existing walls; Refurbishment and recovering asphalt flat roof area; Refurbishing and replacing rainwater goods; Repairing, refurbishing, servicing and redecorating timber framed windows and external doors; Conservation of imperial dimension brickwork external walling, including isolated areas and individual brick replacements; Re-pointing brickwork and granite dressing stones around openings, corners and features; and Replacing and upgrading the external lighting. 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane visited the Town Hall recently and said, “Newry Town Hall is an iconic building for Newry City with its unique setting over the Clanrye River.  The Council recognises the important heritage of this building which is acknowledged in its Grade B1 Listed Status and the value it provides as a place of entertainment whilst also providing a civic service.” 

The total cost of the Phase 1 is approximately £255,000. £94,000 was set aside for electrical works of which approximately £85,000 has been spent on external lighting. 

Recent refurbishment works are planned to be carried out over 2 Phases. With Phase 1 complete Phase 2 is programmed to be carried out during 2016/17 and will look at internal works. 

Cllr Ruane concluded by saying, “The Council is pleased to see the successful completion of Phase 1 works which we expect has given the external fabric the much needed care that this century old building needed. We look now to consider the future work to be undertaken with this building as we begin to consider the setting of our rates for next year.”