Ulster Architectural Heritage

20/06/2026

Some buildings within the Clarendon Street Conservation Area of Derry/Londonderry.
The Madden Mineral Building: with pilasters, a scrolled pediment topping the parapet, and stucco lettering, wonderfully Art Deco and evocative of 1920s advertising. Not listed or on HARNI, and appears in good order, but it is not clear that it is currently in use.
33 Great James Street. A big square-plan, three-storey building with basement. Built of Dungiven Sandstone, it has a central chimney topping its hipped roof. In combination with its impressive door-casing, and its pedimented window on the first floor it is very severe and symmetrical. It has seen a variety of uses over the years including as a shirt-factory, gym, school, and youth-club. The condition of the sandstone, the roof, and general interior condition is making its continued use challenging.
Third Presbyterian Church. ‘The Scots’ Church’, a large, classically styled church in sandstone with a big ionic portico high up a flight of steps. The steps have cast-iron rails and are edged with scrolls, one of the volutes has fallen off, resting against a streetlight! It was added to HARNI in 2003, but has seen a series of meanwhile uses keep it from dereliction. The Cultúrlann centre are to be commended for reinvigorating the adjacent Manse, and are behind the reuse of both number 33 and this church.
2 Queen Street is a three-storey Georgian terrace. The row was laid out in the 1840s and this is the only house out of use. It was added to HARNI in 2024, concerningly, it now appears to be missing some ridge-tiles on the roof. It is to be hoped that the lovely situation and practical design win out, and this house finds a use.
The Former Reformed Presbyterian is older than its unusual Arts and Crafts appearance would suggest, dating to 1863. The gable to Clarendon Street is flanked by very distinctive porches combining painted timber with steep slate roofs and stonework. There is a chisel-shaped tower to the west side. Not on HARNI, and externally in good condition, to the rear the schist stone walls have been extensively covered in sand-cement likely causing damp internally and so issues for its owners

15/06/2026

A few tickets remain for the UAH Summer Party!

Sunday 21st June 2026, 3 pm – 6 pm

The Fort, Tandragee

Celebrate Midsummer’s Day with friends from UAH at The Fort, Tandragee. Named after a ringfort formerly near the site, The Fort is an early 19th century vernacular farmhouse, restored between 2008 and 2019 and enjoyed for its simple beauty and rural surroundings. There will be the chance to learn about the building’s phased restoration and enjoy afternoon tea.

Refreshments: Choice of Pimms, elderflower cordial or Armagh apple juice and strawberries and cream, followed by afternoon tea. Please notify the office at [email protected] of any food allergies or intolerances on booking so that alternatives can be provided.

Tickets: £20 for Members and £25 for Non-Members. These are available via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uah-summer-party-tickets-1988564309380?aff=ebdsoporgprofile and must be purchased in advance!

NB: Due to the building’s age, there are several low doorways and steps to different levels. Attendees are asked to take particular care when walking through doorways and along uneven ground if outside.

14/06/2026

Fantastic tour organised by SAVE Britain's Heritage and Hearth!
Historian Jason Burke took us on a journey through history, from the Old Museum to Riddel's Warehouse via some of Belfast's most interesting buildings - many on the UAH/HED Heritage at Risk Register!

Pictured are: The Assembly Rooms, the Printworks on North Queen Street, the Old Courthouse, and Riddel's Warehouse.

04/06/2026

There is a fantastic opportunity to tour many of Belfast's most exciting buildings in great company next weekend (June 13th and 14th) with SAVE Britain's Heritage, Hearth Historic Buildings Trust, and GreatPlace North Belfast!

Places still available for the Sunday tour: 'Exploring North Belfast's Heritage Cluster'

Booking link here:
https://bit.ly/4u6a63w

29/05/2026

😍

38 Sunnyside Street, Belfast



Number 38 is one of twenty B2 listed terraces just off the Ormeau Road. Built in 1906, the row has great group value, each retaining much of its Edwardian external character. Neat, restrained brickwork is set off by white-painted surrounds with round-arched entrance, and segmentally arched windows. The properties retain sliding sash windows, brightly painted timber door, ogee-guttering, and slate roof. The row is a well looked-after slice of Edwardian Belfast that has largely disappeared.

See the listing here:

https://www.propertypal.com/38-sunnyside-street-belfast/1075780

27/05/2026

Exciting opportunity! Invitation to tender for the third phase of the restoration of the St Macartan’s, The Forth!😁

St Macartan's, The Forth Chapel Phase 3 Project Delivery Phase

Invitation to Quote for Services

This invitation to quote is presented from Clogher Parish on behalf of St Macartan’s, The Forth Chapel Committee, Augher, Co Tyrone.

The Committee wishes to appoint a conservation accredited lead professional and design team to progress the technical proposals for repairs to St Macartan’s The Forth Chapel during the current Development Phase.

This project comprises the third and final phase of three phases of work undertaken at the church and involves the remaining urgent capital repair works now required to complete the restoration of the Church, and an associated activity programme.

The indicative Delivery Phase Grant budget for the capital works is available on request and includes preliminaries, repairs and design team fees.

To request full details including the tender specification, invitation to quote and submission timetable, please contact:
Project Manager, Philippa Martin on [email protected]

Made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players

Ulster Architectural Heritage Love Heritage NI The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland Parish of Clogher Diocese of Clogher National Churches Trust Mid Ulster District Council The National Lottery Heritage Fund @

25/05/2026

A few sights from the Ards Peninsula!

63-65 Court Street, Newtownards. Infamously partially demolished in 2022, retaining only the ground floor. Court Street was laid out in the Georgian Period. Much of it is both Listed, and on the Heritage at Risk Register.

The stone door-casing of number 41 Court Street, with its Gibbsian blocks. These distinctive doorways feature all along the Street. The fanlight, unfortunately, is printed on a piece of vinyl.

2 Church Street, Greyabbey. A long-time presence on the Heritage at Risk register (added in 2003) and now looking very vulnerable. The Victorian shop-front in particular, with its diamond-glazed, arcaded windows is deteriorating.

18-20 Ferry Street, Portaferry. Set on a sloping site, this building features a pedimented stone portico entrance. It has lovely stucco decorations to the windows, including little urns, surrounded by incised foliate scrollwork, this building has been on Heritage at Risk since 2003, and sadly, continues to deteriorate.

33-33A The Square Portaferry, on the Register since 2021, has now been renovated, with its contrasting window reveals it is looking wonderful.

The Peoples’ Hall, Portavogie. Very possibly an adapted army hut from Ballykinlar dating to the 1920s. Not Listed, or on the Register, but characterful building. Some evidence of damp was visible on the ceiling, perhaps connected to the asbestos roof. Unclear if it is in use at present.

UAH have been working with the Department for Communities Love Heritage NI since 1993 to record heritage at risk and encourage its reuse and regeneration through the Heritage At Risk Northern Ireland project. Since 2003 over 360 structures have been removed. To explore the register, click the link from our bio.

20/05/2026

Fantastic opportunity this Friday with CITB Northern Ireland and Belfast Exposed Photography Gallery at the beautiful Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra!

Date: Friday, 22nd May 2026

Time: 10:30am-11:30am

22nd May will also be the opening day of the Wiki Loves: A Future for Thatch Competition. Thatch is more than just a roofing material; it is a living craft that is rapidly disappearing from our landscape.

Submit your best thatched building shots to the global 'Wiki Loves' initiative and contribute to the digital preservation of our history. Search Wiki Loves: A Future for Thatch to learn more. Wiki Loves: A Future for Thatch will be open for entries from 22nd May-30th June 2026.

19/05/2026

Sadly, architectural details disappear from our buildings all the time but this is a curious one! UAH were contacted about the Belfast Coat of Arms missing from this building opposite the Grand Opera House on the corner of Howard Street and Great Victoria Street. It seems to have disappeared during refurbishments at the end of last year. Have you spotted it?

Whilst not a listed building, it is in a Conservation Area, and is certainly poorer for the absence😢

14/05/2026

An exciting new phase for the Forth Chapel!