County Gaol, Crumlin Road, Belfast, Co Antrim

This is an extensive mid-19th century prison complex built in Italianate style, comprising a large central administrative block from which four long cell-block wings radiate, with a detached gatehouse fronting the site. Both the main prison entrance in the gatehouse and the entrance in the central block face south toward Crumlin Road.

Main Prison Entrance and Governor's House

The gatehouse is a two-storey building of rusticated sandstone with a slightly recessed centre containing a four-columned portico. The south elevation is symmetrical, with two identical end blocks flanking the recessed entrance bay. All three sections originally had pitched slate roofs, hipped over the end blocks with a lead flat roof over the portico, but these have been replaced by low single-pitched lead roofs hidden behind parapets and blocking courses. Original octagonal chimney pots survive on the party wall between the central and western blocks, whilst the eastern side has seven large red clay pots and one rendered brickwork pot.

The walls are of rusticated sandstone in regular courses set on a deep plinth, with vermiculated (worm-carved) quoins and window dressings, faceted blocks forming a stringcourse, bold projecting cornice, and shaped fluted keystones. Windows were originally rectangular timber sliding sashes—six over six panes with horns at first floor, nine over nine at ground floor—but most have been replaced by modern metal fixed lights with top-hung vents. The vermiculated stone panels below each window survive. Each end block is two windows wide per floor with a balustraded parapet in sections corresponding to the windows below.

The recessed centre features four rusticated Doric giant columns with corresponding pilasters to each side, and an entablature similar to the end blocks but without balustrades. The main entrance was originally a large semi-circular archway with vermiculated voussoirs recessed behind the columned screen, containing a pair of 12-panelled iron-bound double doors surmounted by an iron bar grille. However, the archway is now screened by a later concrete wall set flush with the columns, and the current entrance is a rectangular doorway containing steel-plated double doors. To each side of the main entrance, recessed between the columns in the plane of the original archway, is a narrow semi-circular arched window with vermiculated surrounds, originally timber sliding sashes hung vertically with small panes but now both closed (the western one with concrete blockwork); original iron bars remain affixed to both.

The eastern block has a sunken basement of whitened basalt rubble with later metal casement replacement windows. The west elevation is similar to the south elevation of each end block but three windows wide per floor with three sets of balustrades in the parapet. The left-hand ground floor window is now opened as a doorway enclosed by a linking passage to a temporary modern building; the central ground floor window is opened as a doorway with a steel-plated door; the right-hand window has replacement timber two-over-two sashes with horns. First floor windows have replacement glazing as on the entrance front.

The rear elevation comprises the two end blocks linked by original single-storey stone screen walls flanking a central gateway projecting in front of a recessed centre now hidden behind a modern screen of concrete brickwork and preformed metal sheeting raised on the stone walls below. The architectural character and detailing of the original building mirrors the main entrance elevation. Each end block is two windows wide at first floor. The eastern block has modern replacement windows at first floor, a timber replacement window and doorway at ground floor, and a visible basement storey in a well. The western block retains original first floor windows now covered by later grilles, and one large segmental arched window at ground floor with rusticated voussoirs containing a tripartite timber window with prominent mullions: a large central rectangular four-over-eight sash with horns flanked by narrower two-over-four sidelights with horns, all surmounted by fanlights. This was originally the doorway or gateway into the van room.

Within the recessed centre behind the modern screen at first floor level, the rear elevation of the central block has one window each side of a large central archway. The left window retains original rectangular timber sliding sashes, eight over eight with horns, but reglazed with reeded glass and altered to include a top-hung vent; the right window has replacement metal casements. Some rusticated voussoirs of the central archway are cut into by the modern angled roof of additions below.

The east elevation is similar to the west except one baluster is missing from the parapet, stone panels below ground floor windows are merely rough-faced rather than vermiculated, and the central ground floor opening is a doorway forming the main entrance to the Governor's House. This doorway is semi-circular arched with vermiculated voussoirs, containing rectangular timber double doors (each leaf three-panelled) surmounted by a semi-circular fanlight with decorative radial metal glazing bars. Three granite steps flanked by original plain iron railings mounted on low walls of large sandstone blocks lead up to the entrance, carried on a basement projection in whitened brickwork with rectangular windows to each side looking into the sunken basements. The sunken basements are surrounded by low plinth walls mounted with original iron railings. The basement walls are of whitened basalt rubble with two windows in the main elevation, both with later replacement glazing behind original iron bars.

On the south side, the original main entrance to the prison—a stone arched and vaulted passageway—is now enclosed by later additions. All original stonework within the passageway is now painted except the south archway voussoirs; the passageway is floored in concrete. It comprises a tall semi-circular vaulted main compartment with recessed coffers in the vault, with painted flush wall surfaces to each side, each containing two openings, and single-storey rusticated walls extending to the rear on each side beyond the rear arch, each containing one opening. All openings are semi-circular arched except the central one in the west wall which is rectangular, a later alteration. All openings contain recessed plain semi-circular arches; those on the west wall are closed by a barred gate and a modern flush rectangular door; those on the east wall comprise an open central doorway, a blocked doorway to the left, and a window or hatch with wooden sill and modern glazing to the right.

Central Building

The main administrative building is a three-storey structure of oblong form and essentially rectangular plan with a polygonal bay to the rear from which the four radial wings extend. The main entrance faces south. The south elevation is three-storey, three-bay, symmetrical, with a central doorway in a slightly recessed entrance bay. Built of honey-coloured sandstone, much blackened in parts, with a hipped roof behind a parapet. The original slates are now finished with waterproof covering and original chimney stacks have been removed.

The slightly recessed central entrance bay is three windows wide, flanked by outer bays which are two windows wide and have vermiculated rusticated quoins to extremities except at plinth courses. A moulded projecting stringcourse runs at first floor level, and a moulded cornice at the top, carried on shaped sandstone brackets, is surmounted by a smooth cement rendered blocking course with moulded sandstone coping. Main walling is of smooth sandstone ashlar at ground floor but of pecked surface to upper floors, all laid in regular courses.

The doorway and windows on the ground floor are set in continuous unmoulded semi-circular surrounds within semi-circular headed recessed openings with vermiculated rusticated dressings, linked by a moulded stringcourse at impost level. The doorway is incorporated in a triple-arcaded arrangement with two narrower sidelights. It contains rectangular timber double doors (each leaf three-panelled, raised and fielded, with large rounded nail heads to rails) in a moulded frame with a semi-circular fanlight with decorative metal radial glazing bars. The sidelights are round-headed timber sliding sashes, hung vertically, six over six with horns, with radial tracery lights, moulded raised sandstone sills with vermiculated rustication to the front panel, and iron bars fixed in front.

Windows in the two outer bays of the ground floor are similar but longer, sashed 10 over 10 with radiating tracery lights. First floor windows in the central bay are rectangular, set in vermiculated rusticated block surrounds, arranged as a triplet with the central opening blind; timber windows to each side are fixed lights with top-hung vents, later replacements for timber sashed originals, with moulded raised sills with vermiculated rustication to the panel below and iron bars affixed. Windows in the two outer bays of the first floor are rectangular timber sliding sashes, hung vertically, eight over eight with horns, set in plain raised long-and-short block surrounds with iron bars affixed; the window opening at extreme left is blind.

Second floor windows in the central bay are of a similar triplet arrangement to those on the first floor with a blind central opening, but set in plain raised block surrounds. The left window is a timber sliding sash, four over four with horns, without exterior iron bars, whilst the corresponding right window is covered by a modern flush security door leading onto a small modern iron balcony supported on angled struts. Windows in the two outer bays of the second floor are identical to those of the first floor except those in the bay to the right have been later blocked with concrete brick.

This elevation is spoiled by later additions of modern metal trunking, cables, and floodlights. The entrance is approached by a flight of modern exterior steps with concrete piers, plain modern steel railings, and snecked artificial stonework. There is a basement in the recessed central bay, mostly now obscured by the later steps to the porch, leaving only a portion of a basement window visible.

Extending to the left of the south elevation is a curved screen wall of snecked rough-faced basalt containing a gateway of square ashlar sandstone piers, all raised to approximately double height by concrete brickwork with modern plain steel double gates.

The west elevation is three-storey plus a basement storey, eight windows wide overall from the southern extremity to the angle with the projecting wing. The end return of the entrance front occupies the first two windows from the south: of sandstone ashlar with pecked surface in regular courses, with rusticated quoins to extremities and moulded cornice on shaped brackets with blocking course, all returning from the entrance front. The walling to the left is set back slightly, of snecked basalt rubble, with cornice and blocking course as previous. The group of four windows on the second floor within the main elevational recess denotes the original chapel.

All windows are set in plain raised block surrounds as previous to the entrance front, but some are later blocked with cement, or re-glazed with glass bricks, or given replacement glazing not to the original pattern. The basement of basalt rubble, whitened, is approached down steps. Downpipes are of cast iron and PVC. The ground floor and basement area are now largely obscured from view by later modern temporary buildings.

The east elevation is similar to the west, with basement approached down a ramp from the south end. Some original windows are intact—rectangular timber sliding sashes, six over six with horns—but others are altered or later blocked. The first window from the south on the second floor was originally blind.

Inspection Hall to the Rear of Central Building

The rear elevation has three faces of a full-width polygonal bay containing the Inspection Hall, revealed in the angles between the radiating link blocks connecting with the cell-block wings. Each of the three revealed faces is three storeys high and one window wide, on a basement, with a window on the ground floor, first floor and second floor, although one ground floor window is now partly blocked and another altered to a doorway and enclosed by later additions. Walls are of basalt rubble with projecting sandstone plinth above basement and moulded sandstone cornice surmounted by a smooth cement rendered parapet with plain sandstone coping. Windows are semi-circular headed metal fixed lights, five panes wide by four panes high, with radiating tracery lights, set in plain raised semi-circular sandstone block surrounds.

A-Wing

This is an extensive gabled rectangular stone cell-block, three storeys high and 31 bays long, connected by a lower and narrower three-storey rectangular link block to the polygonal rear bay of the Central Building from which it projects radially toward the west.

The south face of the link block, facing the main road, is three storeys high on a basement, and three windows wide, with part of the ground floor and all of the basement now obscured by modern preformed metal-clad additions. Walls are of snecked basalt rubble; the roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with moulded cast iron gutter. Windows are original round-headed metal fixed lights, five panes wide by four panes high, with radiating tracery lights, set in semi-circular arched openings with raised sandstone block surrounds.

The east gable of the cell-block to each side of the link block is blank walling with rusticated sandstone quoins and moulded projecting sandstone copings with short returns from the moulded cornices of the long side elevations. Snecked basalt walling appears to the front or south side and apex of the gable, whilst roughly coursed basalt rubble appears to the rear or north side.

The south elevation of the cell-block facing the main road has walling of snecked coursed basalt, of light tone for the first 15 bays from right to left of ground and first floor; the rest is of darker tone. Rusticated sandstone quoins appear at extremities with projecting sandstone plinth and projecting sandstone eaves course. Anti-climbing bars are attached below the eaves. The roof covering is of metal cladding with moulded gutters, cast iron downpipes painted green, and unpainted PVC downpipes.

Cell windows are segmental headed, metal, with small panes, set in raised rectangular plain block surrounds of sandstone with projecting keystone. Original metal bars are affixed within surrounds, plus later iron bars affixed to the outside face of surrounds. The last two bays at the west end have larger rectangular windows set in sandstone block surrounds similar to those in side elevations of the Central Building.

There are two doorways: one at the tenth bay from the west, set in block surrounds of similar detailing to standard cell windows but blocked with snecked basalt, surmounted by a later concrete sill to a small-paned metal fanlight; one at the eighth bay from the east, segmental headed within a raised rectangular plain block surround of similar detailing to previous, containing a rectangular timber door set in a wooden frame with a segmental headed fanlight now blocked, and a modern steel barred gate.

The west gable of the cell-block is three-storey with walling of roughly coursed basalt rubble, but uncoursed and repointed to the apex of the gable which looks like later repair work. Rusticated sandstone quoins appear at the right-hand extremity and to the second floor of the left-hand extremity, below which the wall extends flush as a screen wall of raking profile to the yard behind. Moulded projecting sandstone copings appear to the gable with short returns of moulded sandstone cornice. Two windows, one each at first floor and second floor, are set in rectangular block sandstone surrounds as to the south elevation but are blocked up and barred. Two later square ventilation grilles at ground floor are crudely dressed with concrete brick.

The rear elevation of the cell-block facing north is three-storey with repetitive small cell windows similar to the south elevation and similar roof except for the addition of prominent modern ventilators. Walling is of roughly coursed basalt rubble of dark tone at ground and first floor, lighter tone at second floor. The last two bays to the west are different from the rest: second windows from the end on each floor are smaller than standard cell windows but detailing to sandstone dressings is similar; windows at the end on each floor are larger, in rectangular sandstone block surrounds; one on the ground floor is now opened up to form a later doorway with iron plated door and iron barred gate.

Five other doorways appear to the left of that, three of them blocked, three with jambs of brickwork and two with jambs of cement. Moulded cast iron gutter with PVC downpipe appears at each extremity; other downpipes are now encased in full height modern metal ducts. At the sixth and seventh bays from the east, granite steps descend to a basement area contained by plain iron railings.

The rear or north face of the link block to A-Wing is similar to the south face except the wall is of basalt rubble and all but the top storey is obscured by modern preformed metal clad later addition.

B-Wing

This is a long gabled rectangular stone cell-block three storeys high and 19 bays long, connected by a lower and narrower three-storey rectangular link block to the polygonal rear bay of the Central Building from which it projects radially at an angle toward the north.

The west face of the link block is similar in arrangement and design to the link block of A-Wing, with walling of basalt rubble; the top floor only is visible above later modern additions in rustic brick with preformed metal roof covering filling in the angle between A-Wing and B-Wing.

The south gable of the cell-block to each side of the link block is blank walling of basalt rubble with rusticated sandstone quoins and moulded projecting sandstone copings with short returns from the moulded cornices of the long side elevations.

The west elevation of the cell-block has walling of roughly coursed basalt rubble with rusticated sandstone quoins to extremities, projecting sandstone eaves course, projecting sandstone plinth, moulded cast iron gutter with cast iron downpipe to the south end (lower part replaced by PVC), PVC downpipe at the north end, and PVC soil pipes. Repetitive cell windows are similar to those of A-Wing. The ground floor is partly obscured by a later modern passageway and screen of preformed metal panels. A modern overhead link passage projects from the sixth bay from the north on the second floor.

The roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with three sets of original flush rooflights, conical iron roof ventilators arranged in four pairs (but two of the ventilators missing, probably of early 20th century date), and four later modern ventilators of rectangular form.

The north gable of the cell-block is three-storey with walling of roughly coursed basalt rubble, with rusticated sandstone quoins to extremities, projecting sandstone plinth, moulded projecting sandstone copings to the gable with short returns of moulded sandstone eaves course from main elevations. Three original openings are centrally positioned, comprising a ground floor doorway and two windows above. The doorway has a pair of rectangular timber double doors, ledged and glazed with small panes, below a segmental headed fanlight with vertical glazing bars, all set in a rectangular sandstone block surround with segmental arch to the underside of the head, with iron bars affixed to the fanlight and iron gate affixed over doors; spalling appears to the jambs. Windows are segmental arched with similar surrounds to the doorway, with perspex replacement glazing and modern steel bars behind original iron bars. To the left of the doorway is a later doorway inserted with a flush iron door set in modern cement rendered surround crudely imitating stonework.

The east elevation of B-Wing is similar to the west except roof slates appear to be laid in diminishing courses, cast iron downpipes appear at each end, perspex screens are affixed to windows of first and second floor except those in end bays, those in end bays on upper floors are also without later bars affixed and have only original bars, and walling and roofing are as to the west elevation. At the seventh and eighth bays from the left, four modern cement rendered water closet cubicles with flat concrete roof have doors missing. The tenth bay from the left on the ground floor has a later doorway inserted below the original cell window with cement dressings to jambs and steel barred door.

The east face of the link block to B-Wing is three-storey on a basement storey, three windows wide, with walling of basalt rubble. Windows of the main wall are round-headed as previous; the basement has one rectangular window dressed in red brick with replacement timber frame rotted, no glazing, and iron bars affixed with projecting sandstone sill. At ground floor level between two windows, a segmental brick arch projects from the centre forming a flying buttress to the podium of the tall ventilation tower; the window to the right is later partly opened up to form a doorway leading to the enclosed area around the foot of the ventilation tower.

C-Wing

This is a long gabled rectangular stone cell-block three storeys high and 19 bays long, connected by a lower and narrower three-storey rectangular link block to the polygonal rear bay of the Central Building from which it projects radially at an angle toward the north.

The west face of the link block is similar to the adjacent east face of the link block to B-Wing, including brick arched flying buttress to the ventilating tower. Windows of ground floor, first floor and second floor to the left-hand side are all later closed with concrete blockwork behind original glazing. The basement has two windows: the one to the right is a rectangular timber sliding sash, hung vertically, two over two without horns, set in rendered brick surrounds with iron bars affixed; to the left, the corresponding window has been shortened to a small six-panel timber fixed light due to later raising of ground level by a flight of concrete steps.

The south gable of the cell-block to each side of the link block is blank walling of basalt rubble with rusticated sandstone quoins and moulded projecting sandstone copings with short returns from the moulded cornices of the long side elevations.

The west elevation of the cell-block has walling of roughly coursed basalt rubble with rusticated sandstone quoins to extremities, projecting sandstone eaves course, projecting sandstone plinth, moulded cast iron gutter with cast iron downpipes to each end, and cast iron soil pipes. Repetitive cell windows all have later extra bars affixed except to the first three bays from the left on the ground floor. The extreme left-hand window on the ground floor has a later doorway inserted below it with iron plated door set in rendered jambs. The second window from the left on the ground floor has diagonal pattern lattice glazing. The tenth window from the left on the ground floor has a later doorway inserted below it with firebrick dressings to jambs and steel barred gate.

The roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with three original conical metal ventilators and five modern rectangular ventilators.

The north gable of the cell-block is similar in size and detail to the north gable of B-Wing except the ground floor is whitened. A later square opening inserted high in the wall to the right-hand side is covered by double doors of steel. The central ground floor doorway and window in each floor above are dressed in sandstone as to previous wings with iron barred gate and fanlight, unglazed. Windows are segmental headed timber sliding sash, hung vertically, 10 over 10 with horns.

The east elevation of the cell-block is of similar character to the west: three storeys plus a basement storey with repetitive cell windows, moulded cast iron gutter, and cast iron downpipe to each end. The basement storey is revealed from the first to third bay from the south, then obscured by a later single storey addition in concrete brickwork. Basement windows to the left-hand end have original bars but are without later bars. At the sixth bay from the north end, steps descend to a passage at basement level leading along the east side, around the corner, and along the north gable, all roofed over by a concrete slab. Three semi-circular arches in brickwork fly across from the main wall to the basalt retaining wall of the passage on the east side, and four more arches appear at basement level of the west gable. Steps lead up toward the west at the end of the passage but the passage is blocked by a concrete wall; the passage has a concrete floor. A doorway appears in the centre of the basement of the west gable.

The east face of the link block is three storeys high and three windows wide with a basement area covered by a later kitchen block. Walling is of basalt rubble; windows are round-headed as previous to link blocks.

D-Wing

This is a long gabled rectangular stone cell-block three storeys high and 29 bays long, connected by a lower and narrower three-storey rectangular link block to the polygonal rear bay of the Central Building from which it projects radially toward the east.

The north face of the link block is three storeys high and three windows wide on a basement storey which is covered by a later kitchen block. Walls are of basalt rubble; the roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with moulded cast iron gutter. Windows are original round-headed metal fixed lights, five panes wide by four panes high, with radiating tracery lights, set in semi-circular arched openings with raised sandstone block surrounds.

The west gable of the cell-block to each side of the link block is blank basalt walling with rusticated sandstone quoins and moulded projecting sandstone copings with short returns from the moulded cornices of the long side elevations.

The north elevation of the cell-block is three storeys plus an exposed basement storey with repetitive cell windows detailed as to previous wings. The roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses with conical metal ventilators and flush rooflights. Moulded cast iron gutters with cast iron downpipes appear at each end. Walling is of roughly coursed basalt rubble with rusticated sandstone quoins to extremities, projecting sandstone eaves course, and projecting sandstone plinth. The basalt of the second storey is light in tone; the basalt of lower storeys is dark in tone.

At the eleventh bay from the east on the ground floor there is a rectangular doorway now blocked up with basalt; sandstone block surrounds with concrete head to the doorway now form a sill to a cell window; the precise chronology of development is uncertain but it may have been a cell window originally. To the right of that is a modern concrete brickwork flying link to the dining hall in the yard. To the left of the tenth bay from the west on the ground floor projects another similar modern concrete brickwork flying link to the dining hall in the yard.

The east gable of the cell-block is three storeys on a basement storey with walling of basalt rubble with modern flush pointing. Lighter tone of masonry to the top storey on roughly raking profile signifies a later additional storey. Rusticated sandstone quoins appear to extremities with projecting sandstone stringcourse to the top of the basement storey and moulded projecting sandstone copings to the gable with short returns of moulded sandstone eaves course to main elevations. A central opening appears at each floor level, dressed on main floors as on previous gable openings. Windows are segmental headed timber sliding sash, hung vertically, 10 over 10 with horns, with original bars, later bars, and later steel mesh grille affixed. To the right of the ground floor window is a smaller original opening, dressing in sandstone as previous, but blocked with cement render, lined. The doorway to the basement has a rectangular sandstone surround, chamfered; the opening is now blocked with smooth cement render. In the apex of the gable is a rectangular opening covered by double doors of iron plate.

Extending to the north from the corner of the gable is a high wall of basalt rubble screening the yard of D-Wing. Later modern steel posts are fixed against the wall to support modern preformed metal screen.

The south elevation of the cell-block is three storeys on an exposed basement storey with a sunken concrete area at its base along most of its length except where later single storey additions have been built. The roof is of Bangor blue slates in regular courses. Moulded cast iron guttering with cast iron downpipes appears at the eastern end and near the centre; PVC downpipe appears at the western end. Soil pipes are in both cast iron and PVC. Walling is of snecked basalt, of light tone to basement, ground floor and first floor for the first 15 bays from the west, and of dark tone for the storey above that and all of the walling eastwards from the sixteenth storey to the eastern end.

Repetitive windows are all of standard cell type as previous, except for the second to eleventh bays from the left in the basement storey which are larger but with similar style of dressings. The first window opening from the left is now covered by a later single storey addition in basalt rubble with firebrick dressings. The fifth window from the left in the basement has a doorway later inserted with original sandstone jambs of the window extended down in smooth cement render and steel barred gate. The eighth to tenth bays on the ground floor are obscured by a modern cement rendered flying link block connecting with a modern two-storey gabled gymnasium. Most of the area in front of D-Wing is also occupied by modern single and two-storey additions.

The south face of the link block facing the main road is three storeys high and three windows wide on a basement which is obscured by modern additions. Walls are of snecked basalt rubble. Roof, guttering, and window types and detailing are all as previous to the north face.

Ventilation Tower

To the rear of the central circular hall (known as "The Circle"), in the angle between the link blocks to B-Wing and C-Wing and connected to their exterior faces on the ground floor by two brickwork arches, stands a tall circular ventilation tower: a cylindrical shaft of brickwork of flaring or battered profile near the base with a polygonal podium of brick partly dressed in cement render painted black. A deep sandstone top to the tower is banded with iron straps and carried on shaped sandstone corbels; the shaft is banded with three iron straps at an intermediate point.

Gaps between the ventilation tower and corners of the cell blocks of B-Wing and C-Wing, originally open, are now closed by modern concrete blockwork of single storey height. Within the small enclosure are steps up to the link block of B-Wing.

Old Kitchen

To the rear of The Circle, in the angle between the link blocks to C-Wing and D-Wing and abutting their exterior faces, is a later single storey kitchen with red brick walls and polygonal rooflight crowned by a conical metal ventilator cowl. A modern single-storey concrete brickwork link projects toward the east to a modern gabled dining hall block.

Tunnel Leading to the Court-House

Close to the south-west corner of the Central Building at basement level is the entrance to the tunnel which extends under the main road and leads to the interior of the Court-House opposite the Prison. The tunnel entrance is contained within a concrete roofed enclosure of no special architectural interest.

Reception and C-Wing Visits Block

Standing to the east of the Central Building and to the south of D-Wing to which it connects at the rear by a passage to the first bay in the basement is a single storey gabled building of snecked basalt and rusticated sandstone quoins, with gabled blocks attached to the rear. The south elevation has seven rectangular doorways set in sandstone block surrounds: five now blocked up. Moulded cast iron gutter appears with modern preformed metal cladding to the roof.

The west gable has wooden bargeboards, a rectangular doorway (as previous, now blocked up), a rectangular window to the left (original small-paned metal set in sandstone block surrounds but blocked up on inside), and a small square window opening to the right (similar surrounds, unglazed, blocked up on inside). The east gable is hidden by a modern addition.

The east gable of the rear block has a rectangular doorway and two windows set in sandstone block surrounds; the doorway is blocked and windows are small-paned metal. The gable is painted to window-head height, unpainted above, with an ocular opening in the apex and modern preformed metal decking to the roof. The gabled block to the north of that is now altered considerably but retains a timber King-post truss to the roof visible from the exterior in an open shed-bay; a modern rendered single storey extension appears to the north of that.

Laundry

A one and two-storey building in semi-derelict condition, built of basalt rubble with brick dressings to windows and brick eaves courses. It comprises a gabled two-storey block to the south with a two-storey return to the north, the return flanked each side by single storey wings. The present main entrance faces north in the two-storey return.

The north elevation comprises a central two-storey block with flanking single storey wings with hipped roofs of Bangor blue slates and raised timber louvres to the wings. A red brick chimney with sandstone cornice appears. The rectangular main entrance in the two-storey projection is set in cement rendered reveals with a ledged timber door with glazed panels. Two window openings appear at ground floor, one now blocked with sill removed, the other partially blocked with projecting sandstone sill. Three windows appear at first floor: rectangular timber sliding sash, six over six with horns, with brick surrounds and projecting sandstone sills, and bars affixed; cement render appears to the head of one window. The wings are abutted by later single storey additions of poor quality.

The east face of the two-storey block has a parapet wall with rectangular windows with brick jambs and cement rendered heads; the east side of the wing is blank. The east elevation comprises the gable of the two-storey south block to the left linked to the single storey hipped roofed wing to the right by a yard wall. The wall of the wing is blank but a trace of blocked up opening is apparent; the yard wall has a rectangular window, timber sliding sash hung vertically, nine over nine with horns. The gable to the left has a red brick chimney on the apex and two windows to the ground floor, timber sashes, six over six with horns.

The south elevation has sashed windows to the ground floor set in rectangular cement rendered surrounds added over original brick dressings. Small ventilation grilles to the first floor are later insertions dressed in cement. A large rectangular doorway is a later insertion with concrete brick dressings, steel girder to the head, and doors of steel plate. A single storey wing extends to the left-hand side of similar character to previous with two rectangular sashed windows in later rendered brick dressings.

The west elevation of the original basalt buildings is obscured by a later single storey red brick addition of no architectural merit which abuts the end of A-Wing of the main prison.

Hospital

A two-storey gabled building of basalt rubble with a wing which was originally single storey with a slated gabled roof which has now been given a modern first floor and a modern two-storey extension. The main entrance faces south.

The south elevation of the original building comprises a two-storey block four windows wide with a two-storey pedimented entrance bay projecting forward to the right and a single storey wing three windows wide set back slightly to the right of that. Walling of the main two-storey block is roughly coursed basalt rubble with rusticated sandstone quoins to the left-hand extremity, projecting sandstone eaves course and plinth, and roof of Bangor blue slates in regular courses. Moulded cast iron gutter with cast iron downpipe appears to the right-hand extremity with the bottom of the downpipe broken off. Windows are rectangular small-paned metal fixed lights with iron bars affixed, set in sandstone block surrounds, with modern steel bars fixed to the main wall above and below surrounds.

The entrance bay has similar walling with rusticated quoins to extremities, except that basalt is snecked in regular courses below a sandstone stringcourse at impost level on the front face. The central doorway is semi-circular arched with chamfered edge to sandstone voussoirs; jambs are plain sandstone blocks. An ornamented wrought iron radial fanlight, unglazed, appears over a modern steel barred gate into the porch. Above the doorway is a rectangular sandstone panel inscribed "VR 1898 General Prisons Board" in raised letters and embellished with an imperial crown carved in relief. A rectangular window appears at first floor as previous with moulded projecting sandstone dressings to the triangular pediment above.

The original single storey wing is of similar walling to the main block but most of the quoins at the right-hand extremity are now covered by a projecting modern gabled sentry box in concrete brick. Windows in the single storey wing are as previous. The first floor of the wing is of modern concrete brick construction with synthetic slates to the roof and PVC gutter, downpipes and soilpipes attached to the original storey of the wing.

The west gable of the main block is similar walling to the front elevation with a large window to the ground floor: rectangular timber sliding sash, hung vertically, six over six with horns.

The rear elevation of the main block is two-storey with two windows to the first floor to the right of the main two-storey rear return: large rectangular timber sliding sash, six over six with horns. One similar window appears to the ground floor to the right of a lean-to block in basalt rubble with white glazed brickwork to the side wall. To the right of that, a two-storey short return projects forward containing rectangular windows in original sandstone block surrounds.

The rear elevation of the single storey wing is partly of basalt rubble and partly of white glazed brick, with a small single storey block in basalt projecting forward with raised walls of concrete brickwork. Window surrounds of sandstone appear to the rear elevation but with some alterations.

The west wall of the main rear return is two-storey with three windows to each floor detailed as previous to the front elevation. The gable of the main two-storey rear return is blank with walling as to the entrance front and a sandstone ashlar chimney on the apex with moulded cornice.

The east wall of the main rear return is two-storey with a roof slated as previous with original flush rooflight, walling as previous to the entrance front except for an area of white glazed brickwork to the left, cast iron gutter and downpipe as previous, and PVC soilpipe. Four windows appear to the first floor: rectangular timber sliding sash, hung vertically, six over six with horns, with surrounds, original bars, and modern bars all as previous. The extreme left window is partly obscured by the modern first floor extension. Four windows appear to the ground floor, three as previous, but the extreme left one is a narrow rectangular timber sash, six over six with horns, set in white glazed brick reveals.

Boundary Walls and Blockhouses

Boundary walls are continuous around the prison on all four sides with a blockhouse at each of the four corners.

The south boundary wall, external face, is coursed snecked basalt with a battered face, raised in height by modern concrete brickwork except at the west end where it has been raised with basalt rubble, surmounted by original rounded stone copings. The wall is broken in the centre by the main prison entrance gateway and Governor's House, with the boundary walling curving forward to abut it. At the western extremity is the south-west blockhouse: a modern structure in concrete brickwork cantilevered over the top of the corner of both south and west walls. At the eastern extremity is the south-east blockhouse, described below.

The south boundary wall, inner face, is roughly coursed basalt rubble, raised in height by modern concrete brickwork except at the west end where it has been raised with basalt rubble, surmounted by original rounded stone copings. At the centre the wall is broken by the main prison entrance and the Governor's House with the ends of the walls sweeping to the south to abut it. The portion to the east of the central entrance has an offset sandstone stringcourse from the eastern extremity to the point where an original internal curved screen wall abutted the front boundary but was later removed.

The south-east blockhouse, external faces, is an irregular polygonal two-storey building with battered walls of basalt ashlar in regular courses with vermiculated sandstone dressings, projecting sandstone plinth, stringcourse and cornice, and modern top-storey added in concrete brickwork. The main entrance is in the inner wall facing into the prison. The two main exterior walls facing out to south and east are two windows wide to each floor: semi-circular arched to the ground floor, glazed six over six with iron bars and later metal grilles affixed obscuring original glazing details; rectangular to the first floor set in block surrounds with glazing details now obscured by later metal grilles. The short return walls facing west and north each have a pair of narrow vertical window openings at first floor level.

The south-east blockhouse, inner face, has its main entrance in the centre of an angled wall of battered profile projecting into the prison compound. The wall is of basalt, smooth cement rendered to the ground floor, with brick quoins to the exposed stonework angles, surmounted by ashlar sandstone quoins to the angles above. The rectangular doorway is dressed in red brick with an iron girder to the door head, rusting, which looks like a later insertion.

The east boundary wall, external face, is roughly coursed basalt rubble, raised in height by modern concrete brickwork without coping stones. At the northern extremity is a modern blockhouse of concrete brickwork.

The east boundary wall, inner face, is as previous to the outer face with an angled face to the blockhouse at the northern extremity. The angled face is of square basalt, later cement rendered except for the top courses, with a central doorway at the base, rectangular, with an iron plated door. The original entrance wall to the original polygonal stone blockhouse is now rebuilt to outer faces and replaced by a modern lookout post cantilevered over the corner of the east and north boundary walls.

The north boundary wall, external face, is an obtuse angled wall in two portions at each side of a central rear gateway. The portion to the east of the gateway is difficult to view due to steel mesh screening: it appears to be of basalt rubble as previous to the east boundary. A modern concrete brickwork blockhouse stands at the end next to the central gateway. The gateway is modern, rectangular, containing a pair of electrically operated double doors, steel plated. The portion to the west of the gateway has original wall of basalt rubble but now coated with sprayed cement render and surmounted by modern cladding panels. At the western end the wall changes plane with a short run of basalt rubble raised in height by red brickwork, apparently the inner wall of the original north-west blockhouse which has now been removed; the wall changes plane again, extending to a modern north-west blockhouse of concrete brickwork now standing at the western extremity of the north boundary where it meets the new west boundary.

The north boundary wall, inner face, has the portion to the east of the rear gateway of basalt rubble, raised by concrete brickwork, uncoped. Next to the rear gateway is a rectangular iron doorcase with hood containing an iron plated door. The portion of boundary wall to the west of the gateway is rendered, surmounted by modern cladding as on the outer face, with parts of it chipped off near the western end to reveal positions of intramural burials. Returning to the south from the angled corner is a basalt rubble wall which abuts the west gable of A-Wing; this appears to be the original western boundary wall of the prison, now superseded by the present red brick west boundary wall located further to the west.

The west boundary wall, external face, is a red brick wall buttressed at intervals, all smooth cement rendered, not the original boundary wall but a later addition.

The west boundary wall, inner face, is a red brick wall, unrendered.

Other Buildings and Structures Within Boundary Walls

To the front of A-Wing is a bowling green, now overgrown, with a timber framed gabled shelter centrally positioned along its western edge, a post-war addition of no special architectural or historic interest.

To each side of the Central building are modern temporary and pre-fabricated infill buildings of no architectural interest or merit.

To the front of D-Wing and east of the Reception and C-Visits block are a number of modern buildings including a gabled two-storey gymnasium dating from 1959, none of them of any special historic interest or architectural merit.

To the eastern end of the area between A-Wing and B-Wing (designated A-Yard) stands a modern flat roofed boiler house of double-storey height in concrete brick with three tall cylindrical metal flues attached by iron struts to the north elevation of A-Wing, of no special architectural merit or interest. East of that is an earlier boiler house, a low gabled structure smooth cement rendered with corrugated iron roofs forming part of the basement area, of no architectural interest or merit.

Within the area between C-Wing and D-Wing (designated D-Yard) stand modern gabled dining rooms and kitchens in concrete brickwork of no special architectural interest or merit.

To the rear of the compound parallel with the north boundary walls stand two ranges of stores, workshops, and offices: single storey, of various dates and various materials including basalt rubble and timber posts to open sheds with slated roofs, but of no coherence, no architectural merit, and no apparent special historic interest.

Internal bounding walls to yards are as follows: To the western side of A-Yard, extending on to abut the north boundary wall, is a basalt rubble wall, a remnant of the original western boundary wall of the prison compound, formerly detached from A-Wing before that wing was extended by two bays, and later superseded in its original function by the present red brick west boundary wall. To the eastern side of D-Yard is a basalt rubble wall, partly rendered to the western face, incorporating one of the bounding walls of an original rectangular yard or enclosure to the rear of D-Wing, and later extended northwards to abut the single storey stores. To the northern side of B and C-Yard is a modern wall of concrete brickwork, partially cement rendered and whitened, linking the northern corners of B-Wing and C-Wing, of no historic interest or architectural merit.

Between the rear of the Governor's House and the front of the Central Building, the forecourt area is bounded on the west by an original curved screen wall of snecked rough-faced basalt containing a gateway of square ashlar sandstone piers, but all raised to approximately double height by later concrete brickwork and fitted with modern plain steel double gates (as described previously under the south elevation of the Central Building). The original corresponding screen wall on the east side of the forecourt of similar arrangement is now removed.

Throughout the compound there are modern metal screens, partitions, covered passages, and shelters which are of no architectural merit and spoil the appearance of the original stone buildings.

Front Boundary Railings and Pier

Across the front of the prison grounds bordering the pavement are original iron railings with spear-shaped heads mounted on a low plinth wall of snecked basalt with a sandstone coping and scrolling ornamented cast iron stays at intervals to the rear face. A number of the railings are damaged with heads broken off, and some of the larger posts are missing from the main gateways.

Three main vehicular gateways appear: one in the centre on axis with the main prison entrance, one at the west end, and one to the east of the main central gateway. The main central gateway is now missing original gates and piers, replaced by plain iron plated gates mounted on steel posts flanked by concrete piers. Similar modern gates appear at the large gateway at the western end, recessed slightly from the original boundary, with short modern railings returning back from remnants of original piers formed by a cluster of iron pillars of Roman "fasces" design with axe-head finials but now much damaged. Similar modern gates appear at the large gateway to the east of the main central gateway, recessed slightly from the original boundary, with short modern spear-headed iron railings returning back to the modern steel western post and a short concrete brickwork wall returning back to the modern steel eastern post.

At the western extremity is a square stone boundary pier of rusticated and vermiculated sandstone with weathered cap, the original corner boundary pier of the prison site. Connected to it by one railing to the west is a smaller octagonal sandstone pier, a relic of the front boundary railings to Crumlin Terrace, a terrace of four 19th century houses no longer standing.

Between the main central gateway and the eastern gateway is a small pedestrian gateway set into the railings which appears to be an original feature giving access originally from the street directly to the east front of the Governor's House.

The original front boundary railings to the prison originally extended to the eastern extremity but they now stop at an intermediate point to abut a later red brick hospital building inserted on part of the original prison site hard against the pavement line. The last eight sections of the remaining railings at the east end bound the ground in the ownership of this adjoining property. In this portion of the original railings there are two later small pedestrian gateways.

Staff Cottages (57-87 Crumlin Road)

A terrace of 14 two-storey houses with two end houses in rustic brick in neo-Georgian style. Main entrances to the main run of terrace houses face south, whilst main entrances to the end houses face east and west respectively. The terrace is composed in a symmetrical arrangement comprising a central block with a parapet to the roofline flanked each side by wings with a normal eaves-line which terminate in end blocks with parapets to the roofline. The end blocks contain one large house each; the central block gives the appearance of containing two large houses but actually contains four small houses although the entrance bays to the two outer ones actually lie within the flanking wings; the wings each contain five terrace houses as well as the entrance bays to two in the central block.

The terrace stands facing the main road in the area to the west of the main prison entrance, between the north boundary wall and the front boundary railings. There is a tarmac area in front of them and a narrower alleyway along the rear.

Number 57 is a two-storey house of rustic brick with projecting smooth cement rendered plinth, projecting eaves course of brick headers, and projecting stringcourse of tiles or thin bricks laid flat. The hipped roof is of steep-pitched pyramidal form with natural slates in regular courses. The front elevation faces south but the main entrance is in the side elevation facing east.

The south elevation is two-storey, two windows wide. First floor windows are rectangular PVC comprising a fixed light and top-hung vent, replacing original rectangular timber vertically hung sliding sashes, six over six with horns, set in plain brick reveals with a flat arch to the head and sill formed by the projecting stringcourse. Ground floor windows are similar to the first floor but coupled, with a keystone of thin bricks set in the flat arches. A brick parapet with plain stone coping appears.

The east elevation is two-storey, three-bay, with a slightly projecting central entrance bay containing a doorway in the ground floor and a window in the first floor which projects upwards as a chimney breast with swept copings of thin bricks, stone, concrete, or smooth rendered haunches, and two red pots. The doorway contains a rectangular timber six-panel door surmounted by a semi-circular fanlight with vertical glazing bars, a later replacement for radial glazing bars, set in a semi-circular brick arch recessed in a semi-circular arch of thin brick voussoirs with a brick keystone. The window on the first floor is rectangular timber, vertically hung, sliding sash, four over four with horns, with a flat arch to the head incorporating a brickwork keystone. Rectangular cast iron gutters appear to each side of the entrance bay at normal eaves line with circular cast iron downpipe to the left-hand side. The parapet from the south elevation has a short return to the entrance front.

Number 59 is a two-storey terrace house of rustic brick with projecting smooth cement rendered plinth, projecting eaves course of brick headers, and projecting stringcourse of tiles of thin bricks laid flat. The main entrance faces south. The south elevation is two-bay comprising a doorway to the left-hand side on the ground floor alongside a ground floor window with a window above it in the first floor. The pitched roof is of natural slates in regular courses with rustic brick chimney on the party wall with adjoining house, projecting brick cornice to chimney, and red clay pots. Rectangular cast iron gutter with circular cast iron downpipe appears.

Windows are rectangular PVC comprising a fixed light and top-hung vent, replacing original rectangular timber vertically hung sliding sashes, six over six with horns, set in plain brick reveals with a flat arch to the head. Projecting concrete sill, painted, appears to the ground floor window; sill to the first floor window is formed by the projecting stringcourse. The doorway, arranged as one of a pair with that of the adjoining terrace house, contains a rectangular timber door with four horizontal panels surmounted by a rectangular fanlight containing metal glazing bars in diagonal and looped patterns, set in a plain rectangular brickwork opening below a flat timber hood with moulded cornice common to both doorways, supported on three scrolling and fluted timber brackets.

Numbers 61 to 67 are similar to number 59 but alternately handed.

Number 69 is similar to number 59 but handed, except that the window bay projects slightly forward from the entrance bay, the ground floor window is set in a semi-circular arched recess with thin bricks for voussoirs and a dropped keystone, and the wall of the window bay projects above the adjoining eaves-line rising to a moulded stone cornice surmounted by a brick blocking course with a plain stone coping. A circular cast iron downpipe appears in the angle between the two wall planes. Common chimney with number 71 is detailed as previous to number 59.

Number 71 is similar to number 59 except that the ground floor window is set in a semi-circular arched recess as previous to number 69, there is a recessed rectangular cement rendered panel above the doorway common with the panel above the adjoining doorway, and the wall projects above the normal eaves-line rising to a moulded stone cornice surmounted by a brick blocking course with a plain stone coping. No rainwater goods are visible. Common chimney with number 69 is detailed as previous.

Number 73 is similar to number 71 but handed with synthetic slates to the roof replacing natural slates. The common chimney with number 75 is removed.

Number 75 is similar to number 69 but handed with synthetic slates to the roof replacing natural slates. The common chimney with number 73 is removed.

Numbers 77 to 83 are similar to numbers 59 to 67 but handed with synthetic slates to the roof replacing natural slates. Common chimneys at numbers 77 with 79, 81 with 83, and 85 with 87 are all removed.

Number 87 is similar to number 57 but handed with main entrance facing west. The original four-panel doorway is replaced by a modern flush timber door. The original radial fanlight is still intact. The window in the first floor has four-over-four sashes replaced by one-over-one sashes. The original covering of natural slates to the roof is partially replaced by synthetic slates.

Rear elevations of all the houses are generally of plain red brick with one window to each floor: rectangular timber sliding sash, one over one with horns, with concrete lintel and concrete sill, but windows to some houses have been altered. Rear returns to the main run of terraced houses are of two storeys, gabled, of plain red brick, with one window to each floor in the side wall overlooking the yard and two doorways: rectangular timber ledged, one leading to the kitchen and one to the coal shed, but some openings are now altered and some rebuilt with flat roofs and smooth cement rendered walls.

A gabled single storey smooth cement rendered and corrugated iron roofed outbuilding of no architectural quality appears to the rear of the yard of number 57. A similar outbuilding with red brick walls appears to the rear of number 87 with later concrete brickwork infill block occupying its yard.

Setting

The building complex stands on the north side of the main road within the built-up area of the city, partly surrounded by currently listed buildings: a late Victorian hospital immediately to the east, a 1930s Masonic Hall immediately to the west, a High Victorian school to the north, and an early Victorian Court-House to the south facing the prison directly across the main road with their main entrances axially aligned and their front boundary railings identical in original design. The prison and Court-House are also connected physically by an underground passage.

To the north of the prison buildings, outside the rear boundary wall but within the overall prison grounds, is an extensive area of tarmac bounded on the north, east and west sides by high basalt rubble walls. To the east, the overall prison grounds beyond the main prison boundary wall are separated from adjoining property by a basalt retaining wall returning at the south-east corner of the site.

To the south, between the south boundary walls and the front boundary railings, the setting of the main prison entrance and Governor's House is spoiled by the close proximity of modern single storey buildings including shelters, offices, substation and garages in various materials and of no architectural merit or interest.