Rocket House, 147 Kilkeel Road, Annalong, Newry, Co Down, BT34 4TL

Rocket House comprises a single-storey rocket house aligned with a two-storey square pigeon house, located on the Kilkeel Road in Annalong, County Down. Construction likely occurred between 1800 and 1819. The complex is significant in the history of local navigation and the development of Annalong harbour, and is an unusual survival retaining its original vernacular character and intact interiors.

The rocket house has a gabled natural slate roof with overhanging eaves, but no rainwater goods. The walls are roughcast over random rubble. The east (seaward-facing) gable features large sheeted double doors, while the south elevation has two fixed windows with painted granite sills. The pigeon house abuts the rocket house’s west (rear) elevation and is constructed to identical specifications with a slated pyramidal roof, overhanging eaves, square corner finials, and pyramidal copings tipped with small rounded stones. The tower’s south elevation has two sheeted timber doors to the ground floor, and a central door to the first floor; the tower is otherwise plain.

The building is shown on an 1834 Ordnance Survey map as part of the Water Guard Station (reference HB16/01/015). While not initially mentioned in the 1830s valuation records, both buildings are first explicitly referenced in the 1861 Second Valuation.

The building is of vernacular character and of industrial archaeological interest. It possesses a good proportion and plan form, and demonstrates a high quality of survival, particularly in terms of the interior. The building holds social, cultural, economic, and international significance, representing a rarity in Northern Ireland. It is currently used as a boathouse, while its original use was as a dove or pigeon house.