Brownlow House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brownlow House |
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Brownlow House in 2010
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Elizabethan |
| Town or city | Lurgan |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°27′57″N 6°19′43″W / 54.4658°N 6.3285°W |
| Completed | 1833 |
| Cost | Approx |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Henry Playfair |
Brownlow House, also known as Brownlow Castle or Lurgan Castle, is a very old and important house in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. It was built almost 200 years ago in 1833. A famous Scottish architect named William Henry Playfair designed it for an Irish politician, Charles Brownlow, 1st Baron Lurgan. This grand building played a big part in history, serving as a military base during both the First World War and World War II. Today, it is a special building, listed as a Grade A listed site.
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The Story of Brownlow House
Brownlow House has a long and interesting history, from being a family home to a wartime headquarters.
Building a Grand Home
The construction of Brownlow House began in 1833. It was designed by William Henry Playfair, a well-known architect from Scotland. The house was built for Charles Brownlow, 1st Baron Lurgan and his family. They lived there for many years, making it their family home.
New Owners and Big Changes
The Brownlow family owned the house for a long time. But in the early 1900s, they sold it. A company called Lurgan Real Property Company Ltd. bought it first. Later, a local community group, the Lurgan Loyal Orange District Lodge, bought the house. This group still owns Brownlow House today.
A Wartime Headquarters
Brownlow House became very important during the 20th century's world wars. It served as a key military headquarters.
- During the First World War, it was the base for two army groups: the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and the 10th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.
- In World War II, American troops used the house as their base. It was a busy place, helping to support the war effort.
Rebuilding After a Challenge
In 1996, Brownlow House faced a big challenge. A fire caused serious damage to the building. But experts worked hard to fix it. A local architectural firm, DSC Partners, designed the repairs. They even got help from someone who worked on the restoration after the 1992 Windsor Castle fire. This helped make sure the house was restored carefully.
Remembering the Past
Today, Brownlow House helps people remember its important past.
- In 2014, a museum opened in the basement. It tells the story of the house's role during World War I.
- In 2015, a new exhibition was added. This part of the museum focuses on World War II. It shows how Brownlow House was used by soldiers. It also highlights how Northern Ireland helped the British and American armies during the war.
