Menu
10/05/2011
Dungannon's Heritage Gets £5m Focus
Work is well underway on historic buildings in Co Tyrone that are being redeveloped in a major £5.5m refurbishment.
The 'Old Belfast Bank' in Market Square, Dungannon and the landscaping of Castle Hill jointly represent an investment to provide an arts centre and interpretative display in the 'bank' now known as Ranfurly House. The development will see a public heritage park on the site of the O'Neill stronghold on Castle Hill (pictured).
Many construction jobs have been created as builders, David Patton & Sons NI Ltd moved on site two months ago for the new extension to Ranfurly House, a site that became available for development in 2003 when the PSNI vacated the security presence in the old Territorial Army Building.
Work commenced with the acquisition of the site and the sourcing of capital grants towards the cost of making the site a premier location for visitors to the region and conserving the unique heritage of the landscape and the building.
In 2007, funding of £2.38m was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £500k was sourced from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to develop a purpose built Arts Centre.
The Council's strategy has been to provide a gateway to the hill and create investment confidence in the Market Square as the focal point for visitors and business.
The facility, when complete, will complement the proposed public realm scheme for Market Square funded by the Department of Social Development.
The work of designing an appropriate extension to the old Bank Building and the landscaping of the hill was given to Consarc, a Belfast-based firm of architects, who presented the Council with an exciting concept.
The concept is now about to come to fruition in the form of an iconic building for the town centre and a public park worthy of the significance of this historic site and thee contract awarded to Pattons, the Ballymena based construction firm.
It is proposed that a variety of activities will be available in the building that will also provide an enclosed access route from the town up to the towers on the hill and the Castle Hill gardens beyond.
Galleries and exhibition spaces are set to tell the story of Castle Hill and its associations with the history of the O'Neill's, and a 100-seater studio for small scale performance will also offer a large flexible space for arts workshops/flexible community facilities.
At Castle Hill Gardens, the remaining towers of the Knox Hannygton residence - built in 1790 - are regarded as a Scheduled Monument.
It is thought that the original house is built close to the castle of the O'Neill's, former rulers of Ulster whose powerbase was in Dungannon for some 300 years.
It is the Council's intention to provide access for everyone to this special site, creating an informal parkland setting to allow the resident's of Dungannon open access to the historic towers, appreciate the significance of the hill and its panoramic views out, as well as space to relax and re-connect with nature in the heart of the town.
Due to the historical significance of the site, the proposed works at Ranfurly House and to Castle Hill will require close co-ordination with through archaeological monitoring and excavation as appropriate.
(BMcC/GK)
The 'Old Belfast Bank' in Market Square, Dungannon and the landscaping of Castle Hill jointly represent an investment to provide an arts centre and interpretative display in the 'bank' now known as Ranfurly House. The development will see a public heritage park on the site of the O'Neill stronghold on Castle Hill (pictured).
Many construction jobs have been created as builders, David Patton & Sons NI Ltd moved on site two months ago for the new extension to Ranfurly House, a site that became available for development in 2003 when the PSNI vacated the security presence in the old Territorial Army Building.
Work commenced with the acquisition of the site and the sourcing of capital grants towards the cost of making the site a premier location for visitors to the region and conserving the unique heritage of the landscape and the building.
In 2007, funding of £2.38m was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £500k was sourced from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to develop a purpose built Arts Centre.
The Council's strategy has been to provide a gateway to the hill and create investment confidence in the Market Square as the focal point for visitors and business.
The facility, when complete, will complement the proposed public realm scheme for Market Square funded by the Department of Social Development.
The work of designing an appropriate extension to the old Bank Building and the landscaping of the hill was given to Consarc, a Belfast-based firm of architects, who presented the Council with an exciting concept.
The concept is now about to come to fruition in the form of an iconic building for the town centre and a public park worthy of the significance of this historic site and thee contract awarded to Pattons, the Ballymena based construction firm.
It is proposed that a variety of activities will be available in the building that will also provide an enclosed access route from the town up to the towers on the hill and the Castle Hill gardens beyond.
Galleries and exhibition spaces are set to tell the story of Castle Hill and its associations with the history of the O'Neill's, and a 100-seater studio for small scale performance will also offer a large flexible space for arts workshops/flexible community facilities.
At Castle Hill Gardens, the remaining towers of the Knox Hannygton residence - built in 1790 - are regarded as a Scheduled Monument.
It is thought that the original house is built close to the castle of the O'Neill's, former rulers of Ulster whose powerbase was in Dungannon for some 300 years.
It is the Council's intention to provide access for everyone to this special site, creating an informal parkland setting to allow the resident's of Dungannon open access to the historic towers, appreciate the significance of the hill and its panoramic views out, as well as space to relax and re-connect with nature in the heart of the town.
Due to the historical significance of the site, the proposed works at Ranfurly House and to Castle Hill will require close co-ordination with through archaeological monitoring and excavation as appropriate.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
Consumer Council Advice On Online Shopping Rights
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, consumers in Northern Ireland are gearing up for a flurry of online shopping. While many retailers have already started offering deals, concerns about potential delivery issues such as delays, lost parcels, and damaged goods are on the rise.
Consumer Council Advice On Online Shopping Rights
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, consumers in Northern Ireland are gearing up for a flurry of online shopping. While many retailers have already started offering deals, concerns about potential delivery issues such as delays, lost parcels, and damaged goods are on the rise.
15 November 2024
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
18 November 2024
Belfast's Vacant To Vibrant Scheme To Expand Citywide
A successful scheme aimed at transforming vacant properties in Belfast city centre into thriving businesses is set to be extended across the entire city. Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant programme has already breathed new life into 26 properties, with another six sites in the pipeline.
Belfast's Vacant To Vibrant Scheme To Expand Citywide
A successful scheme aimed at transforming vacant properties in Belfast city centre into thriving businesses is set to be extended across the entire city. Belfast City Council's Vacant to Vibrant programme has already breathed new life into 26 properties, with another six sites in the pipeline.
18 November 2024
Neurodiversity In The Workplace Centre Stage At Entrepreneurs Conference
The topic of neurodiversity within the entrepreneurial journey and in the workplace will be just one of the many topics of discussion happening at a new conference happening in Belfast this month.
Neurodiversity In The Workplace Centre Stage At Entrepreneurs Conference
The topic of neurodiversity within the entrepreneurial journey and in the workplace will be just one of the many topics of discussion happening at a new conference happening in Belfast this month.
11 October 2011
Beech Hill Expands For Derry's City Of Culture
A leading hotel in the North West is expanding with an eye to a cultural future. The Beech Hill Country House Hotel in Londonderry is planning to undertake a £220,000 expansion project to boost its international business, with support from Invest Northern Ireland.
Beech Hill Expands For Derry's City Of Culture
A leading hotel in the North West is expanding with an eye to a cultural future. The Beech Hill Country House Hotel in Londonderry is planning to undertake a £220,000 expansion project to boost its international business, with support from Invest Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
