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Caledon and Cookstown listed buildings restored

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Twin Dwellings, Annaghroe Road, Caledon - After.

A little piece of Tyrone's rich history has been salvaged with the restoration of two of the county's most iconic listed buildings.
Lissan House in Cookstown, one of Northern Ireland's best known historic buildings, has completed substantial refurbishment while an historic building at risk in Caledon was saved when it was awarded a grant of £30,000 to help with its restoration.
Cookstown
A grant of almost £170,000 was awarded to Lissan House under the NIEA's Historic Buildings Grant Aid to repair work to the exterior of this important listed structure.
The house, built in 1620 and home to the Staples family until the last remaining occupant, Mrs Hazel Dolling passed away in 2006, is reported to be haunted.
Allegedly, ghostly children have played in the hall and lavender scent appears from nowhere!
Pointing out the importance of the grant scheme to maintaining our architectural heritage, Environment Minister, Alex Attwood said: "Lissan House is a real gem in the historic homes of Northern Ireland. There is much public interest in these old gentry country houses. An important part of Cookstown's and indeed Northern Ireland's architectural heritage has been successfully restored.
“We owe it to future generations to ensure that listed buildings, of which there are approximately 8,500 in Northern Ireland, are protected and enhanced.
“In this particular case Mrs Dolling desired the building to become a centre for music and arts for central Ulster. The 'Friends of Lissan House Trust' have now realised the wishes of Mrs Dolling through the recently completed repair and conservation works at Lissan House, which now promotes tourism and community uses. This project has helped to safeguard the future of Lissan House and preserve this important historic asset, for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
“I welcome the fact that my Department has been able to make that happen."
Caledon
Meanwhile the grant of £30,000 for the property at Caledon which forms part of the Caledon Estate, was awarded under the Historic Buildings Grant-Aid Scheme.
It has supported extensive repair and maintenance work, which has restored this former derelict Grade B listed property at 17 Annaghroe Road, on the outskirts of the town for habitation.
The twin dwellings were added to the Built Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland (BHARNI) register in 2003 and are one of over 100 saved since NIEA introduced a 10 year plan to save 100 buildings in 2006.
Welcoming the grant for the Caledon Estate dwellings Minister Attwood added: "Caledon Town and its surrounding area is one of the most picturesque and heritage rich areas in Northern Ireland. This grant aid from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's grant scheme has allowed this important part of the area's architectural heritage to be successfully restored and retained.
“We owe it to future generations to ensure that listed buildings such as this, of which there are almost 8,500 in Northern Ireland, are protected and restored."
He concluded: "The historic buildings grant-aid scheme goes a long way towards ensuring a sustainable future for much of our built heritage.

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