Industrial Heritage

The Industrial Revolution had a major impact on life in Northern Ireland and left a legacy of sites, from corn or flax mills to lead mines, canals, and railways. Many of our industries were important, not only locally, but on the world stage, such as the shirt factories of Derry or the shipbuilding at Harland and Wolff. We are currently working to incorporate information on these sites into the Industrial Heritage Record.

Recording our Industrial Heritage

The Industrial Heritage Record lists more than 16,000 features, but only limited information is currently available for most. A number of sites, however, have much more detailed information available as they have been surveyed as part of the systematic second survey of historic buildings in Northern Ireland. The site information can be accessed through the Industrial Heritage Database in the Monuments and Buildings Record (MBR).

Also accessible in the Monuments and Buildings Record is the extensive McCutcheon Industrial Heritage collection, which is held on loan from the Public Record Office. This collection consists of over 27,000 black and white photographs and a colour slide collection taken by Prof. W. A. McCutcheon during his comprehensive industrial heritage survey of Northern Ireland in the 1960s, as well as his associated notes and papers. This work involved detailed inspections, assessments and documentation of much of the material remains of 18th and 19th century industry and communications existing in the province at that time and culminated in the publication of 'The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland' in 1980.

Much recording work and some protection through listing has been carried out through the Second Survey of buildings of architectural or historic interest and can be accessed on the Buildings Database.

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 is one of a small number of industrial heritage sites in State Care. A number of 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 or the 'Samson and Goliath' cranes at Harland and Wolff shipyard. Others have been Listed for protection under the Planning (NI) Order 1991, such as the historic mill complex at Sion Mills and the Old Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast.

Conserving our Industrial Heritage

We have been involved in a number of schemes to conserve our industrial heritage sites. An excellent example can be seen at Ballycopeland Windmill, County Down, which is a rare example of a working windmill. 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 currently involve the conservation of canal features, such as locks and bridges. Canal towpaths are a much used public recreational facility.