Case Studies of Protection

Heritage interest in a place can be complex. Differing parts may be suitable for protection by controls such as listing, scheduling and area based protections.In recent years NIEA archaeologists and architects have colaborated on the understanding and designation of a number of sites:

Titanic Quarter

Titanic Quarter is the redevelopment of Queens Island – a flat man-made island at the entrance to Belfast Lough which was constructed by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners in the mid 19th century from mud flats and connected to the eastern part of the city. The area until recently was typified by industrial sheds of varying ages and dry docks. The dock road running across the entrance to the island was bounded on one side by a corporate brick wall beyond which were the harbour lands. A similar wall interspersed with buildings fronted each side of the main access road into the heart of the island. With the decline of the shipbuilding industry the area has been released to new companies. To the northern end of the island traditional industrial uses continue while to the south and west a large area was leased in 1999 to Titanic Quarter Limited a specialy created development company.
See NIEA Conservation Case Study 3 - Titanic Quarter (.PDF 155Kb).

Ebrington Barracks

Ebrington Barracks is a military site in Londonderry originally constructed within a defensive star fort (much of which survives) and expanding later to cover a much bigger site. As well as military history it has a naval base during WWII when the city was a vital part of the Battle of the Atlantic and important in the Cold War for NATO submarine training. It also played an important role in the recent troubles commanding Army operations in a quarter of Northern Ireland.

The Regeneration Plan was intended to secure the commitment of all stakeholders to the regeneration of Ebrington Barracks and to pursue single-mindedly its implementation. This represented an opportunity to move towards a joint economic development and regeneration strategy for all sectors in the north west supported by the department. See ILEX URC, the company responsible for the urban renewal project, and view our NIEA Conservation Case Study 2 - Ebrington (.PDF 483Kb).

Enniskillen Castle

Enniskillen Castle is picturesqely sited on the banks of the Erne river in Enniskillen. Founded by the Maguire Clan in the 15th century it was a key gateway between Ulster and Connaught. After the Flight of the Earls in 1607 William Cole occupied and modernised the castle while building his new house nearby. It functioned until 1922 as a military barracks. The buildings on site represent all these periods of activity. Conservation of the standing buildings is an ongoing project. The oldest building, the Keep, was extensively refurbished in the 1980s. The Barrack Coach House is currently being prepared as exhibition space. Two museums on site, Fermanagh County Museum and the Innisklings Museum make good use of most buildings providing public access to them for interpretation and education.

See Enniskillen Castle Conservation Statement 2004 (.PDF 3.98Mb)