[Extracts from the Lisburn list by C E B Brett and Lady Dunleath, published by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in 1969.]
c 1707. The charming cupola, with coupled Corinthian columns
at the corners, clock and round-headed window in each face still
stands, but the whole is unfortunately imbedded in blocks of shops
and offices of much later date which might possibly be removeable
- with great advantage to the town centre. The cathedral end,
with round-headed windows and curly stucco ornament, is not bad
and seems to date from the 1850's; but the 'Ulster Buildings'
at the other end date from 1889. They incorporate in the wall
a plaque rescued from the first house rebuilt after the fire;
"1708 I. H. I. The year above this house erected this town
was burned ye year before People therein may be directed God hath
judgments still in store and that they do not Him provoke to give
to them a second stroke the builder also doth desire at expiration
of his lease the landlord living at that time may think upon the
builder's case".
Inside, the handsome Assembly Room, though the round-headed windows
seem to date from about 1850, has a splendid very slim tall entrance
doorway with Corinthian columns and pediment, and is in good order.
There are some reeded internal doorways; one with a fanlight in
the vestibule. In 1834, the building was greatly improved; a gymnasium
was fitted up in the lower part, and a lending library included.
Formerly, Balls had been held fortnightly in the Assembly Rooms
"The Lisburn ladies have long been proverbial for beauty"
- it is extremely sad that it should have been so greatly disimproved
since then. Only the cupola and the Assembly Room itself survive
untarnished.
Refs: Bayly; Carson; Lewis; Green.
The Assembly Rooms became the Lisburn Museum, and have since been greatly extended (replacing the Ulster Buildings referred to above) to become the Irish Linen Centre, designed by Hall Black Douglas.
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