Northern Bank 98 Main Street, Beragh, Omagh Co. Tyrone, BT79 0TB

Detached symmetrical three-bay two-and-a-half-storey Northern Bank built around 1910, located on the north side of Main Street, Beragh. The building's scale, form and proportions emphasise its relative importance in the street. Though of some local significance, it is a common type of a late date and not one of the best examples of the type.

The building is rectangular on plan with a two-and-a-half-storey return to the rear, abutted by a three-storey extension with flat roof. Two-storey and single-storey lean-to extensions occupy the re-entrant angle. The pitched roof is natural slate with raised masonry verges. Ogee profile cast-iron rainwater goods are supported on a corbel course, with cast-iron rainwater hoppers. Two flat roof dormers to the south pitch contain timber casement windows. The walls are rendered with ruled-and-lined finish and painted projecting moulded plinth.

The principal elevation faces south. The central entrance door is flanked by two windows on each side at ground floor, with five windows at first floor. The entrance comprises an original single-leaf six-panelled timber door with a round-arched-headed fanlight over, contained within a deep moulded architrave and flanked by pilasters supporting an entrance canopy fronted by two Tuscan order columns. A brass signage panel reads "NORTHERN BANK LIMITED" and contains the letter box. Brass door bell and knocker remain intact.

Windows throughout are 1/1 timber sliding sashes contained within plain surrounds and continuous cill course. All ground floor windows except those at the south are enclosed by cast-iron railings.

The left (west) gable contains a projecting stepped chimney breast with a window at ground floor. The exposed section contains three windows, one at each floor, with those at ground and attic level diminished in size.

The rear (north) elevation is abutted off-centre at the left by a two-and-a-half-storey return slightly lower than the main block. The exposed section at left contains a window at ground and first floor; the exposed section at right is abutted by a two-storey lean-to extension with felted roof. Both the right corner of the main block and the two-storey lean-to extension have corbelled corners at first floor level over the entrance to the rear yard. The two-and-a-half-storey return is detailed as the main block. Its north gable is abutted by a lower three-storey extension; the exposed section contains a window at each floor. The left cheek is blank; the right cheek contains a single window at first floor. The two-storey lean-to extension is detailed as the main block; its north elevation is abutted at ground floor by the end of the single-storey lean-to extension. The exposed section at right contains a single window with two windows at first floor (right, diminished). The right cheek is blank. The single-storey lean-to extension is detailed as the main block with a single window at each face. The three-storey extension with flat roof has red brick walling and timber casement windows throughout, and is of no architectural or historic interest.

The rear of the bank is enclosed at the south-west corner by replacement metal gates. The building is bound at north and south by brick walling and adjacent buildings.

The building is set in Beragh on the north side of Main Street, bounded to the road by original wrought-iron railings on a plinth wall. Access at the centre is via similarly detailed cast-iron gates.

The Northern Bank was built in 1912 and appears to have undergone little alteration since. The building was inserted into Annual Revision records in 1913, replacing three houses previously on the site. It was occupied by the Northern Banking Co. Ltd. and leased from the Earl of Belmore. In valuations it was recorded as a bank house, offices, yard and garden valued at £40 for the buildings and 15 shillings for land. An announcement in the Irish Builder of 23 December 1911 stated that the tender of Messrs Henry Laverty and Sons Ltd. of Belfast had been accepted for building new branch premises for the Northern Banking Co. Ltd., according to plans and specifications prepared by Mr Godfrey W. Ferguson, architect, of Royal Avenue, Belfast. After 1934 the Northern Bank Ltd. became the owners in fee and the valuation was raised to £50. The building comprises a kitchen, one room and four bedrooms, a reception room, bath and W.C. upstairs, with a further attic bedroom. The buildings include a public office and strong room. Roof materials are natural slate; walls are rendered; windows are timber; rainwater goods are cast-iron.