Ring of Gullion HARNI Heritage at Risk Northern Ireland (HARNI)

HARNI is a longstanding partnership between Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) and the Department for Communities: Historic Environment Division (DfC:HED). The primary aims of the HARNI project are to

• record architecturally and historically important buildings that appear to be at risk
• act as a catalyst for conservation and re-use of built heritage at risk.

There are now over 1000 buildings and structures at risk all across Northern Ireland and the increase over the last three years has been significant. There are ten heritage at risk buildings within the Ring of Gullion AONB. Six of these ten are described as vernacular houses.

Vernacular Dwellings in the Ring of Gullion AONB

Vernacular dwellings give distinct landscape qualities to areas and involve different building materials, scale and folklore. For example, Michael J Murphy in ‘At Slieve Gullion’s Foot’ writes about the character of the vernacular cottage noting the “bog wottle” hearth which drew the smoke up the chimney. Also hightlighted was the fact that green paint was the predominant colour, “including the half door, which kept the hens out, but left the house still open to the visitor”.

Buildings have changed and techniques improved making many of these features a thing of the past. However, for the surviving buildings many retain these features, the crook and crane, the logie hole in the jamb wall to name a few. These are important features that reflect our past and indeed provide character and uniqueness to the AONB.

Re-use of these Buildings

There is hope for many of these buildings and their reuse is an important part in our efforts to combat climate change and reduce rural deprivation. However, the challenge and obstacles can not be understated.

Funding for historic buildings in private ownership is at an all-time low. Leaving many owners little incentive to improve the condition to their building. The key for now is to keep maintaining these buildings and reduce water ingress. This may sound trivial, but in fact can save money and important time in the long run.

We would be keen to hear from owners of such vacant listed buildings to provide guidance and advice on how to maintain their building as well as to make contact when funding streams become available. Re-using our vernacular buildings has its challenges and opportunities, but it is clear from a climate change angle that reuse has a significantly lower impact on the environment than a new build.

Sebastian Graham, Heritage at Risk Officer, Ulster Architectural Heritage