Overhaul for historic library

Overhaul for historic library

22 October 2014

CASTLEWELLAN’S historic market house is to feature in a major restoration project.

The work is to be carried out by Libraries NI which owns the 250 year-old building at Upper Square which is also home to the town’s library.

Libraries NI plans to work alongside the Environment Agency to restore the prominent building — which enjoys protected status — parts of which are in a poor state of repair due to weathering.

The exact cost of the restoration project won’t be known until after a detailed survey of the building which occupies a prominent site in the town centre is completed.

Confirmation that the market house will be at the centre of a major restoration project has been welcomed by councillor Patrick Clarke.

He has been involved in a series of meetings to persuade Libraries NI of the need to restore a building which has been at the heart of the town for generations.

Councillor Clarke met recently with Libraries NI chief executive Irene Knox to discuss the need to restore the Market House and revealed further meetings are planned involving other bodies including Down Council.

“Libraries NI has contacted Down Council regarding damage to the roof of the building due to ball games being played in the local authority-owned car park which is adjacent to the historic building, he continued.

Councillor Clarke explained Libraries NI contacted council chief executive John Dumigan about the issue, and the local authority id in the process of drawing up new bye-laws to prevent ball games at the Upper Square car park.

“I have been given an assurance that Libraries NI is ‘totally committed’ to preserving the historic listed building and will work with the Environment Agency to complete the technical specifications required to progress a planning application ahead of restoration work,” explained councillor Clarke.

“As some parts of the market house are in a poor state of repair due to water and damp penetration, it has been agreed that in order to preserve the entire building in the long term, major restoration needs to be carried out which will require detailed planning and financial costings in order to complete the work.”

Councillor Clarke said given the historic importance, architectural design and the location of the market house, it’s important restoration work is carried out to the highest standard. He said securing funding will also be crucial to the completion of the scheme.

“As a result of the scale of the restoration project, further meetings will be held over the coming months between various departments within Libraries NI, Down Council and the Environment Agency,” added councillor Clarke.