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

Valve Tower House, Silent Valley Reservoir Scheme

An octagonal tower erected between 1923 and 1926 to contain valves controlling the outflow from Silent Valley Reservoir. The tower is located on the east bank of the reservoir near its south-east corner, beside the bellmouth overflow. Approximately 9.1 metres (30 feet) of the tower extends above embankment level, with a further 18.2 metres (60 feet) situated below ground.

Although constructed of concrete, the visible section is faced with rock-faced granite blocks laid in irregular courses over a chamfered base. The tower features a square entrance porch accessing the roadway. Both tower and porch have flat concrete roofs coated with asphalt. The tower is topped with a glazed lantern light. Around the roofs run low parapets with projecting copings and a stringcourse below, all executed in ashlar granite.

The windows have wooden frames and are glazed as 1/1 top-hung units with metal-reinforced plastic sheeting. Three granite steps lead to the entrance, now protected by a metal roller door. The porch corners on either side of the doorway are formed by square granite pillars with oversailing pyramidal copings, resting on ashlar granite bases. The quoins and window and door surrounds are embellished with stepped ashlar granite; window cills are chamfered. Above the porch entrance is inscribed 'BC & DWC' (Belfast City & District Water Commissioners).

Bronze plaques set into ashlar-coped granite block wing walls flank the porch. The left plaque outlines the history of the Mourne Scheme and details the physical dimensions of Silent Valley Reservoir. The right plaque commemorates the reservoir's opening in 1933. These walls continue at lower level to the road, terminating in square ashlar piers.

The valve tower was constructed by S. Pearson & Son (London), with F.W. McCullough as engineer for the Belfast City & District Water Commissioners. Silent Valley Reservoir opened on 24 May 1933, formally opened by the Duke of Abercorn, Governor of Northern Ireland. The structure is of considerable national historical importance as part of the first reservoir of the Mourne Scheme, which supplied water to Belfast. It demonstrates high standards of design and execution and possesses group value through its functional association with the bellmouth overflow, scour valve house, and screening room. The tower forms a utilitarian structure set in a spectacular mountain setting and is of industrial archaeological interest.