Ice House, opposite Ballycraigy Drive, Belfast Road, Antrim, Co Antrim

A domestic ice house comprising a vaulted passage leading to a vaulted oblong end chamber, sited within what appears to be a circular earthen fort-like platform. Entrance faces north. Approach to the entrance is by an open passage at ground level, lined by raking revetments of basalt rubble and fieldstones. Entrance is by a semi-circular brick tunnel vault, also at ground level, with basalt rubble walls up to the springing of the vault. Brick dressings to the open entrance archway, but much decayed; basalt rubble floor to vaulted passage. At the end of the vaulted passage is a semi-circular opening above a basalt rubble plinth wall, giving access to a brick lined domical vaulted chamber. The exterior of the chamber is of mounded form, overgrown with grass and brambles, raised above the flattish top of the larger fort-like mound which has mature trees, thick bushes, and brambles growing on it. SETTING: The structure is sited in a field, which appears to be common land, set back from the main road but clearly visible from it. Immediately to the east is an electricity substation surrounded by a steel fence with an outer concrete post and wire fence. The south side of the mound slopes down steeply to be bounded by a railway line, currently with the track lifted for repair or replacement. The field is bounded to the north and east by basalt rubble walls, broken by concrete steps on the east side and adjacent to the electricity substation; the steps lead off from a path which runs along the east side from the public road to a pedestrian tunnel under the railway line; path marked by a pair of square masonry piers at the roadside.