Orange Hall, 49 Moat Street, Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0DA

Orange Hall

A functional, mainly single-storey red brick Orange hall built in 1912, designed by Charles A. Aickin, situated at the junction of Moat Street and Union Street on the north side of Donaghadee town centre.

The front façade faces south-west and is symmetrical in composition, consisting of a large central gable flanked by projecting wings. The main entrance is positioned at the centre of the gabled section and comprises a relatively modern timber-sheeted and glazed double door with a large three-light segmental-headed fanlight. Above the entrance is decorative moulded keystoning with moulded labels extending from either side. Within the gable itself sits a segmental-headed stone panel inscribed "Donaghadee LOL Orange and Protestant Hall 1912", with label moulding above and three narrow niches running to the gable apex. Flanking the entrance are three segmental-headed sash windows with obscured glazing on each side, the outermost windows situated within the projecting wings.

The east façade features a larger two-storey gabled projection to the right and a smaller gabled projection to the left, with a large recessed section between them. The left-hand gable contains a large central shallow recess with segmental head, within which sits a worn rectangular stone panel reading "Erected A.D. 1912", with three small niches to the gable apex and a flag pole attached. At ground level stands a modern concrete and timber bench. A narrow sash window is positioned on the short north face of this projection. The central recessed section contains four large segmental-headed windows with mullioned and transomed frames, plus a further window to the far left. The right-hand gable displays four flat-arch windows to the ground floor with sash frames, except for the second from left which is smaller with a single pane frame. The first floor has three larger sash windows, and three small niches rise toward the gable apex. A relatively modern timber-sheeted and glazed door is set into the narrow south face of this projection.

The west façade is partially obscured by neighbouring buildings. A large two-storey gable, similar to that on the east side, is visible to the left with four sash windows to the first floor; the ground floor could not be observed. The projecting wing abuts the neighbouring property to the west. A blocked-up former window opening is visible within the recessed central portion; the remainder of this façade could not be seen.

The rear façade appears blank and is abutted by the neighbouring property to the north.

The building features a bevelled base and a dentilled eaves course, with part of the base on the east façade rendered. The gabled roof is slate-clad with red clay ridge tiles and finials. A brick chimney stack stands at the north end. Cast iron rainwater goods are present throughout.

This hall was erected in 1912 on a site formerly occupied by two two-storey houses, the corner of which latterly housed the Cockatoo Inn. The building lies within Donaghadee conservation area.