Dromore Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dromore Town Hall |
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Dromore Town Hall
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| Location | The Crescent, Portstewart |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian style |
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Listed Building – Grade B1
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| Official name: Town Hall, Market Square, Dromore, County Down | |
| Designated | 25 October 1977 |
| Reference no. | HB 17/15/010 |
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Dromore Town Hall is a special old building in the Market Square, Dromore, County Down, Northern Ireland. It's a historic place that once hosted important town meetings. Today, this beautiful building is used as a public library. It is a Grade B1 listed building, meaning it's protected because of its history.
Contents
Discovering Dromore Town Hall's Past
How Dromore Got Its First Town Building
The very first public building in Dromore was a market hall. It was built in the Market Square in 1732. This building was used for selling goods and for town activities.
Building a New Town Hall for Dromore
By the mid-1800s, the old market hall was looking quite worn out. The town leaders decided to tear it down. They wanted to build a brand new structure in the same spot. This new building was designed in the Victorian style. It was built by a local company, J. H. Burns, using red bricks. The new Dromore Town Hall was finished in 1886.
What Does Dromore Town Hall Look Like?
The Town Hall has a balanced design facing the Market Square. It has three main sections. The middle section has a rounded window with special decorative stones called voussoirs. Above this window, there's a round opening called an oculus. The sides of the building have large, rounded doorways and windows. On the roof, there's a small tower called a turret. This turret has a pointed roof and a weather vane on top.
Special Gifts for Dromore Town Hall
A kind person named William Cowan Heron helped the town a lot. He was a philanthropist, which means he gave money to help others. Mr. Heron paid for a clock to be put into the roof turret. This clock was installed in 1891 by Berringer Brothers from Belfast. He also paid for the town hall bell. This bell was made by Matthew Byrne in Dublin.
Important Meetings and Events at the Hall
From 1899, the new local council used the Town Hall for their meetings. Many important discussions happened here. For example, in 1936, a politician named Harry Midgley gave a speech. He talked about a big conflict happening far away, the Spanish Civil War.
Dromore Town Hall During World War II
During the Second World War, the Town Hall played a part in helping the war effort. Murals, which are large paintings, were added to the building. These were part of events to raise money for the war. These events included Warship Week in 1941, Wings for Victory Week in 1943, and Salute the Soldier Week in 1944.
Changes Over the Years
In the middle of the 20th century, a new two-story part was added to the north side of the building. The Town Hall continued to be the main meeting place for the local council for many years. However, in 1973, a larger council was formed, called Banbridge District Council. The Town Hall was no longer the main government building.
Dromore Town Hall Today
After the council moved, the Dromore Town Hall was changed into a public library. This means it's now a place where everyone can go to read and learn. Recently, in 2021, the area around the Town Hall was improved. This work cost £1.4 million and made the space even nicer for the community.
