Newtownstewart Town Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newtownstewart Town Hall
Newtownstewart Town Hall
Location	Townhall Street, Newtownstewart
Built	1880
Architectural style(s)	Italianate style
Listed Building – Grade B2
Official name: 7 Townhall Street, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone
Designated	12 March 1986
Reference no.	HB 10/04/045 B
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The Newtownstewart Town Hall is an important old building located on Townhall Street in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It was once a place for local government and community events. Today, it is used by a local boxing club. This historic building is officially recognized as a Grade B2 listed building, which means it's protected because of its special history and design.

The Story of Newtownstewart Town Hall

The land where the Town Hall stands has an interesting past. Before the current building, there was a house belonging to Major Jones Crawford. In 1879, that house was taken down. A local businessman named Bernard Gillespie then decided to build something new for the town. He saw a chance to create a useful public building.

Building a Community Hub

The new building was finished in 1880. It was designed in a style called Italianate, which was popular at the time. This means it looked a bit like old Italian buildings. It was made of brick and covered with a smooth finish called stucco.

The front of the building has three main sections. On the ground floor, there was a window in the middle. On each side, there were doors with small windows above them called fanlights. Upstairs, there was a large, fancy window with columns on the sides. Below this window, you could see the words "Town Hall" carved into the wall. Above the window, in the open part of the roof, there was a round window with "Erected by B. Gillespie 1880" written on it.

A Place for Local Decisions

For many years, the Town Hall was used for local court meetings. These were called "petty sessions." During these meetings, local officials would handle smaller legal matters for the community. This use of the building continued until 1964, when these types of court hearings in Newtownstewart stopped.

Fun and Entertainment for Everyone

After the First World War, a family called the Gallaghers bought the building. They used it for many fun community events throughout most of the 20th century. People would gather there for concerts, dances, and even plays. It became a lively spot for entertainment in the town.

A New Chapter: Boxing Club Home

In 2012, the building started a new chapter. It became the home of the Two Castles Amateur Boxing Club. To make it suitable for the club, the building had a lot of updates. New bathrooms, changing rooms, and kitchen areas were added. This made the historic Town Hall ready for its new role as a place for sports and training.