Many listed buildings are part of our heritage in Co Tyrone, and hundreds across the county have been designated as ‘at risk’ by the Department for Communities.
While the condition of the buildings varies, many have been left in disrepair.
Some have plans in place to restore the properties but have seen delays in recent years.
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Have a look at five of the buildings across the county currently highlighted as being at risk.
St Lucia Barracks, Omagh
The former army barracks has been designated as the site of the new Strule Shared Education campus in Omagh , however only one school of the six to be built in the area has opened there.
Although development of the area has got underway, debates over funding in Stormont have stalled the project.
Several army buildings still remain on the Heritage At Risk register.
A description on the register says: “The barracks complex occupies an elevated and imposing site in the town, reflecting an important aspect of the architectural and social heritage of Omagh, as well as strong historic links to The Royal Irish Regiment and The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The complex is unusual in its completeness and degree of preservation.”
Tyrone Courier Building, Dungannon
Situated on Savings Bank Street in Dungannon , the old offices of the local newspaper remain vacant and at risk.
It is a B1 listed building and the register describes its condition as ‘poor’.
“Described in the UAHS list as having “a certain Russian and spa-architecture flavour”, this listed building was last used by a local newspaper but was originally a court house,” the register says.
“Thought to date from the late 18th century, it has an imposing five-bay front elevation and a central pedimented projection.
“The side and rear elevations are much less impressive, with a jumble of buildings enclosed behind a high, brick and stone built wall. it remained vacant, boarded up and visible deterioration in rain water goods and increase vegetation present.”
Ballymagorry Railway Station, Strabane
One of many symbols of the forgotten railway system in Co Tyrone, the former Ballymagorry station near Strabane sits idle and overgrown.
“The line was completed in 1900 and closed in 1955.When reviewed in 2021 there was noticeable vegetation growth on east and west gables and the lean-to canopy had collapsed, the description says.
“The iron is corroded in places and likely to deteriorate further without action. Restoration, repair or basic maintenance is urgently required to best secure this building.”
The Court House, Cookstown
Although the former Court House building in Cookstown has gone on the market in recent years, it remains on the Heritage At Risk register.
The Chapel Street premises was recently described as being ‘in relatively good condition.
“The Court House in Chapel Street was used until a number of years ago and, despite being in a relatively good condition, its recent vacancy raises several perennial questions facing historic buildings once they become redundant – what to do with them?” its description says.
Old mill buildings, Benburb
One of several old mill buildings dotted across Co Tyrone, this picturesque one in Benburb has been long abandoned and remains at risk.
“A fairly substantial and picturesquely sited pair of rubble stone former corn mill buildings, strategically located at a bend in the River Blackwater,” its description says.
“Given the close proximity to the river, and the Ulster Canal, this was historically an area of great importance to industry.
“However, with the changing fortunes many of the older buildings and structures that were once employed for production are now largely abandoned, particularly former mill buildings.”
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