Lodges, Silent Valley Reservoir Scheme, Head Road, Kilkeel, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4PU

This pair of two-storey houses forms part of the Silent Valley Reservoir Scheme, constructed in 1915. Designed by Luke Macassey, Engineer to the Belfast City & District Water Commissioners, they served as engineer's houses, stores, and an office and are similar in detailing to the Water Superintendent’s house nearby (HB16/02/017). They are one of several water-related buildings in the area, including corrugated metal bungalows, screening rooms, a lime dosing plant, and a generating station. The landscaped grounds enhance the appearance of the lodges.

The houses are symmetrically arranged around an east-west axis, with their main facades facing west towards a yard and outbuildings at the rear. They are situated on a terrace below the Silent Valley dam and are laid out in a U-plan, featuring projecting gables to the main facade and sides, each with canted window bays. Porched entrances are located in the angle of the side returns. The roofs are gabled and covered in natural slate, with terracotta ridging, bargeboards topped with finials, and exposed rafter ends. The chimneys are built of rock-faced granite ashlar with projecting plinths and caps, and rainwater goods are made of cast iron. The walls are of rock-faced squared granite rubble in irregular courses over a chamfered base course. Windows are 1/1 sliding sash throughout, cased in ashlar granite with chamfered cills. Steps lead to the porches, which have painted sheeted doors with rectangular transoms above.

A granite wall delineates the yard immediately behind the houses from the rear courtyard. The yard contains small coal sheds and is accessed by a large carriage entrance on the south wall, marked by a concrete lintel inscribed ‘1915’. One-storey outbuildings, matching the style of the houses, enclose this yard. The rear yard appears to be structurally connected to the front houses.

The lodges were erected in 1915, shortly after exploratory work began on the Silent Valley dam, the completion of which was delayed by the First World War until 1923. Original drawings are held at DOE Water Service, Westland House, Belfast, and further information can be found in publications detailing the construction of the Silent Valley reservoir. The buildings demonstrate a pleasing symmetry, well-considered proportions, and attractive ornamentation, and their setting contributes significantly to their group value. The lodges are also of industrial archaeological interest.