PROJECTS CARRIED OUT FOR THE
NATIONAL TRUST
Hearth is managed jointly by the
National Trust and the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society,
and its architectural practice has been involved in a number of
projects for the Trust.
Castle Ward Stableyard, Co Down
Although no virtually external changes
were involved, Hearth carried out a sizeable scheme for the National
Trust at the stable yard at Castle Ward to convert disused buildings
into tearooms and educational facilities in 1986-87 (main contractor
John Turley Ltd). The contract extended into the basement of the
main house which was damp-proofed and provided with humidity-controlled
heating so that it could also be opened to the public.
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The Grand Yard at Castlecoole,
Enniskillen
Set at a distance from the main building
of Castlecoole, which is one of the finest late 18th century neo-classical
houses in Ireland, is the Grand Yard, built in 1824 to the designs
of Richard Morrison. Although in use as stables until relatively
recent times, it was converted by the American army during the
last war, and adapted for use by an egg-producing company in the
early sixties, and after it was vacated it deteriorated rapidly.
Hearth was commissioned by the National Trust to carry out holding
repairs to make the building wind and weathertight, pending a
decision on its future use. New roofs and gutters, lead valleys,
windows and doors were provided, and some stonework repairs were
carried out. Restored 1989-90 (main contractor, T Chambers &
Sons Ltd).
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Downhill, nr Castlerock, Co Londonderry
The enormous palace of Frederick Hervey,
the Earl Bishop of Derry, was built about 1780 but suffered fire
damage in the 19th century and since the middle of the 20th century
it has been only a ruin - but impressively placed on the steep
cliffs at Downhill on the north coast. The famous Mussenden Temple
is still externally complete, but the main palace is only a roofless
shell and very exposed to the elements. Hearth was involved in
a project to consolidate the ruins for the National Trust in 1996
(J S Dunlop, main contractor). More details of the eccentric Bishop
can be found on the UAHS web site.
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Patterson's Spade Mill, Templepatrick,
Co Antrim
When the last of five generations of
Pattersons operating their spade-mill at Templepatrick died in
1990, a long tradition seemed likely to disappear, but the National
Trust acquired the property and commissioned Hearth to carry out
its restoration. It is not by any stretch of the imagination a
piece of fine architecture, but it is a fascinating relic of rural
industrial archaeology, and following the Trust's intervention
spades are still made there today. The property started life as
a paper mill, and was used as a linen beetling mill before the
Pattersons took it over in 1910, so the challenge was to restore
the mill to a working state as it was in its heyday (around 1950)
while still revealing the earlier history. As well as repairing
the buildings in 1993-94 (main contractor Martin & Hamilton),
the water turbine was brought back into operation and it powers
some thirty other machines through a system of belts and drives,
which between them facilitate the many complex stages of hand-made
spades. A difficult balance had to be struck between health and
safety for workers and the desire to leave the interior as open
and visible as possible for visitors.
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Cushendun, Co Antrim
Hearth has restored two neighbouring
houses in Cushendun for the National Trust. No.8 Main Street had
been somewhat altered over the years and is a simple two-storey
terrace house that was restored in 1996 (Danny Mullen, main contractor).
No.7 The Square was a different matter; part of the picturesque
group of houses designed for Lord Cushendun in 1912 by Clough
Williams-Ellis, it is still complete with the original door furniture
and has a charming green-slated gambrel roof with shallow dormers.
Restoration in 1997-98 (main contractor, J S Dunlop) involved
completely reslating the building and careful repair of many doors
and windows.
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The Ice House, Slieve Donard,
Co Down
Few of Hearth's projects are large,
but perhaps one of the smallest was the ice house on the slopes
of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains that was restored for
the National Trust in 1996-97. A simple "igloo" of brick
and granite providing naturally refrigerated storage for ice,
it was built into the slopes of a rocky outcrop above a chilly
stream and blends inconspicuously into the mountain landscape.
As the mountain is an Area of Special Scientific Interest and
there is no road up to it the contractor (Noel Killen) had to
create an ecologically-friendly access path that could be removed
without trace at the end of the contract. Vandals had damaged
the heavy stones at the entrance but Noel managed to trace and
reinstate lintels that had fallen down the slope and been buried
in undergrowth.
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