Entrance to Dunnywater, Head Road, Annalong, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4RR

These gates mark the main entrance to the Belfast & District Water Commissioners’ Dunnywater waterworks, constructed around 1900 as part of the first phase of the Mourne Scheme, Belfast’s water supply. They are of architectural interest due to their style, proportions, and embellishments, and hold historical significance as one of several water-related structures within Dunnywater, contributing to the area’s group value.

The entrance consists of a set of double carriage gates set between four granite piers, with a smaller pedestrian gate located to their left when viewed from the outside. The piers are constructed of regularly coursed, quarry-faced ashlar granite, built upon chamfered pedestals and embellished with finely dressed quoins, two corbel courses at the top, and tall pyramidal tops surmounted by square finials with chamfered corners. To the left of the pedestrian gate is a screen made of squared granite rubble, topped with crenellated coping and terminating in a pier matching those at the main gates. A similar screen to the right of the main entrance curves around towards the road, ending in a fourth pier of matching appearance. Roughly dressed drystone granite walls run away from the piers. Both the vehicular and pedestrian gates are made of red-painted wrought-iron vertical bars, each terminating in arrowhead spikes. Alternate bars extend up to dog bar level and feature cast iron fretted quatrefoil and arrowhead spikes. Two diagonal bars, strengthened by a rosette, are set in the lower half of each gate.

The entrance, along with the nearby Water Superintendent’s house, was built in 1900 by P. Mc Aleenan, a Castlewellan building contractor, based on designs by L.L. Macassey, the Engineer to the Belfast City & District Water Commissioners. Original drawings indicate that the piers were intended to be 6 feet (1.8 meters) square and 21 feet 6 inches (6.6 meters) in overall height, with the main gates set 16 feet (4.9 meters) apart. Although a similar entrance was planned for the Silent Valley, it was not executed.