Exhibition hut, Silent Valley Reservoir, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4PU

This single-storey exhibition hut is located on a terrace overlooking the Kilkeel River as part of the Silent Valley Reservoir complex, near Kilkeel, County Down. Built between 1920 and 1939 by the Belfast City & District Water Commissioners, it was originally erected as the Chief Engineer’s bungalow during the construction of the reservoir. A map from 1926 does not depict the building, suggesting a later date than the initial reservoir construction, but it likely predates the dam’s completion in 1932. In 1954, the interior was modified for use as a tearoom.

The building’s design is similar in style to another corrugated metal house nearby (listed as HB16/02/019), and it is notable given the scarcity of corrugated metal buildings of this date. The main section has a gabled roof sheeted with corrugated metal, painted green, with the roof extending to form a veranda on the west-facing façade. The gable ends are finialed. The walls are clad in white-painted corrugated metal, with wooden frames. The main entrance is centrally located under the veranda, with a small window on either side; a window to the right of the door is likely not original, and a picture window has been inserted to the left. One original triple 2/1 casement window remains on the right side of the façade. The left gable has two pairs of 2/1 casement windows. A lean-to is attached to the right corner of the rear elevation and another to the right gable. The latter lean-to features a glazed opening and a single 2/1 casement window on its cheek, visible from the front façade. Metal rainwater goods are present.

The building holds industrial archaeological interest and has group value due to its proximity to other water-related structures. Original maps and drawings are held by the DOE Water Service in Belfast (catalogue numbers 2D37, 2D38, 2D39, and 2D40). The building is currently used as a gallery or museum and is owned by central government.