Historic bath house plan gets cash boost

Historic bath house plan gets cash boost

17 December 2014

PLANS to restore an iconic Victorian bathing house in Ardglass have received a £27,000 boost from Down Council.

The local authority has agreed to allocate money generated via the landfill tax levied on waste dumped at its Drumanakelly dump near Seaforde to boost the restoration of the building close to the village’s marina.

The bathing house, located at an area known locally as Luke’s Port, has suffered from the ravages of time, with the constant battering of wind and waves taking their toll on the historic building.

When the bathing house was constructed by William Oglivie, the structure was regarded as one of the most fashionable watering places in Ulster, nestling on the Ardglass shoreline over looking the ancient ward of Ardtole.

Councillor Cadogan Enright is delighted his call for landfill tax monies to be earmarked for the restoration of the bathing house was approved at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council.

“The bathing house dates back to Ardglass’ heyday as a Victorian spa and provided modesty to Victorian ladies taking a dip,” he explained.

“The building will also feature in the new on-line and mobile Ardglass Development Association’s tourist walk around 18 tourist sights in the village.”

The bathing house, which resembles a mini castle, has been in need of repair for many years. Erosion, rough seas and ageing have not been kind to a once proud building which many people would like to see restored and transformed into a focal point and place of interest for people to visit.

The bathing house has also been targeted by vandals in the past and plans for its restoration will be widely welcomed in Ardglass.