Department for Communities protects some of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the recent designation of several new historic monuments and buildings across Northern Ireland.
St Patrick's Chair and Well in Co Tyrone, the remains of World War 2 wharfs where the German U-Boats famously surrendered to the Allied Forces at Lisahally, and a unique battle garden at Kilwarlin Moravian Church are among sites added to the schedule of historic monuments this week.
A number of granite milestones on the old Enniskillen to Dublin coach road in Co Fermanagh were also protected as listed buildings.
Minister Lyons said:
“Scheduled historic monuments and listed buildings are among the most important parts of our built heritage, and the structures we have protected this week represent a microcosm of our rich heritage.
“I am pleased that my Department has taken steps to identify and protect these unique aspects of Northern Ireland’s rich and varied historic environment.
“These special places, alongside many others already designated, provide an important narrative in our landscape of the very the valuable and diverse history of the places in which we all live.”
Statutory designation of these sites gives formal recognition to their significance and provides a regulatory framework for activity that would change or alter them. This is implemented through either the Department (Scheduled Monuments) or the local planning authority (Listed Buildings). This regime will ensure that their historic importance is understood and taken into account as they continue to be managed into the future or as changes are proposed.
To find out more about your local heritage, please visit https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/services/historic-environment-map-viewer
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption – St Patricks Chair at Altnadaven, Co Tyrone.
- Designation ranges from a site associated with Ireland’s patron saint that has been venerated for generations to a rare surviving set of eighteenth century mileposts along a now rural road, to the only ‘battle garden’ in Northern Ireland (commemorating the Spartans last stand against the Persians at Thermopylae in 480BC), to World War II heritage including remains of the wharves where the U boats surrendered to the Allies at the end of the war.
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