Courthouse, Trevor Hill, Newry, Co Down, BT34 1DN

Courthouse, Trevor Hill, Newry

A two-storey building of cruciform plan aligned east-west, designed by Thomas Duff and opened as Ballybot Court House in 1843 on ground reclaimed from the Newry River. It presents a classical appearance with a principal façade facing south.

The building is constructed with a natural slate roof hipped to the sides, with gabled projections to front and rear; the rear gable has been incorporated into a new extension to the north. A timber cupola with eight multi-glazed cheeks and a domed leaded roof surmounted by a wrought iron weathervane rises at the centre of the roof. Cement rendered chimneys rise from each end of the roof ridge and a third from the rear ridge. Parapet gutters with metal down pipes run along the side elevations.

The front façade and two side elevations comprise the only surviving original fabric. The front elevation is lined with painted render, featuring banded rustication to the ground floor and an ashlar granite base course. Raised stepped granite quoins flank each side of the façade, with those to the ground floor V-channelled. A raised render platband separates the ground and first floors. The central section projects forward with four shallow pilasters supporting an entablature over which is a blank pediment with leaded copings; the Royal crest is missing. The flanking bays have rendered raised eaves surmounted by a leaded blocking course.

A modern ramp with brick retaining walls rises from the right to the entrance door at the centre of the façade. This is a reproduction timber door with six raised and bolection-moulded panels. The jambs have a moulded render architrave and are flanked at the top by scrolled granite consoles supporting a moulded entablature. Above the main entrance, at first floor level, is a 12/8 sliding sash window with a granite cill, coffered apron and eared moulded architrave. The flanking bays each have a 9/6 sliding sash, similarly detailed.

The left elevation is five openings wide, with the middle three breaking forward and similar wall treatment to the façade. Across the ground floor are five 6/6 sliding sash windows without horns, all with granite cills. In line at first floor are five 9/6 sliding sashes. The right elevation is identical but has 9/6 sliding sashes to both floors. The central window to the ground floor was formerly a doorway prior to refurbishment, where a new cill was inserted.

The rear elevation is abutted by a large modern extension. The premises are bounded by a modern rendered wall topped with tall spiked railings.

The building underwent minor alterations in 1892 under the direction of R.H. Dorman, County Surveyor for Armagh. It was damaged by bomb in 1972, with the listed gates and railings also destroyed. The building was virtually rebuilt in the early 1990s to accommodate new Courts Service requirements, retaining only the front façade and side elevations whilst adding a large extension to the north. The interior has been entirely replaced.

Although the considerable new extension negates its original prominence on the site and as a much-reduced façade it is no longer of special architectural or historic interest, it remains a significant feature within the Conservation Area.