Valve Tower House, Silent Valley Reservoir Scheme, Head Road, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4PU

An octagonal tower containing valves to control the outflow from the Silent Valley reservoir, located on the east bank of the reservoir near its south-east corner beside the bellmouth overflow. Approximately 9.1m (30ft) of the tower are above embankment level and 18.2m (60ft) below. Although the tower is of concrete, the visible section is faced with rock-faced granite blocks in irregular courses over a chamfered base. There is a square entrance porch to the roadway. The roofs of the tower and porch are flat concrete coated with asphalt. The actual tower also has a glazed lantern light. Around the roofs are low parapets with projecting copings and stringcourse below, all in ashlar granite. The windows have wooden frames and are 1/1 top-hung glazed with metal-reinforced plastic sheeting. Three granite steps lead up to the entrance which is now protected with a metal roller door. Forming the corners of the porch on either side of the doorway are square granite pillars coped with oversailing pyramidal copings and resting on bases, also of ashlar granite. The quoins and window/ door surrounds are embellished with stepped ashlar granite; the window cills are chamfered. Over the porch entrance is the inscription ‘BC & DWC’ (=Belfast City & District Water Commissioners) Bronze plaques are set into ashlar-coped granite block wing walls on either side of the porch. That on the left outlines the history of the Mourne Scheme and details the physical dimensions of the Silent Valley reservoir. That on the right commemorates its opening in 1933. These walls continue at a lower level to the road, terminating in square ashlar piers.