Industrial Archaeology
We have a rich industrial past, notably in linen manufacture, transport networks, and shipbuilding.
The Industrial Heritage Record
The Industrial Heritage Record can be accessed on the Historic Environment Map Viewer which which highlights the location of around 16,000 industry-related sites including mills, factories, harbours, canals and rail networks. This record was compiled from a survey of historic maps and most entries are location only. However, information on many of the buildings may be available on the Northern Ireland Buildings Database.
Complementing the record is the McCutcheon Collection, consisting of 27,000 photographs, notes and documents produced during an ambitious survey of Northern Ireland’s industrial sites during the 1960s and 1970s. This collection is especially valuable as it preserves information about industrial sites and practices that have long since disappeared.
Protecting our industrial heritage
We protect our industrial heritage through both legislation and policy, with the most appropriate method being identified on an individual site basis. Carrickfergus Gasworks and Ballycopeland Windmill are two industrial heritage sites in State Care. A few structures have been Scheduled for protection under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995, such as Newry Canal, the White Spots lead mines at Conlig, County Down, and the 'Samson and Goliath' cranes at Harland and Wolff shipyard. Others have been Listed for protection under the Planning (NI) Act 2011, such as the historic mill complex at Sion Mills and the Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast.
Conserving our industrial heritage
We have been involved in a number of schemes to conserve our industrial heritage sites such as Ballycopeland Windmill, County Down. We have provided extensive advice to developers, local government, heritage bodies and community groups on the management and conservation of industrial heritage sites and how to incorporate them into modern development schemes. Some of the most exciting projects involve the conservation of canal features, such as locks and bridges.