Online Toolkit

Northern Ireland boasts a rich array of heritage assets spanning from the Neolithic to the Modern era. Throughout history, the construction and use of building materials have advanced significantly. By identifying distinct surviving features, you can approximate the age of a building, facilitating more detailed research.

Architectural Time Period:	What to look for:	Examples:	Picture:
Neolithic 4000 – 2400 BC	Tombs	Ballykeel Dolmen The Giants Ring Kilfeaghan Dolmen	Giants Ring, Ballylesson
Bronze Age 2400 – 500 BC	Hill forts Territorial boundaries and burial markings: standing stones and stone circles.	Beaghmore Stone Circle, Cookstown	Beaghmore Stone Circle, Cookstown
Iron Age 500 BC – 400 AD	Carved stone Iron work Ringforts Fortifications Linear earth works	Navan Fort, Armagh The Dorsey, Co. Armagh	Navan Fort, Armagh
Early Christian Period 400 AD – 1160 AD	Settlements reflected nomadic lifestyle of the people Local materials and temporary in nature.	Devenish Island Killeavey Old Churches	Devenish Island, Co. Fermanagh
Norman Period 1160 AD – 1500 AD	More formalized methods of shaping materials and construction Large earthwork and stone castles Fortifications	Carrickfergus Castle Clough Castle, Co Down	Carrickfergus Castle
Plantation Era 1500 AD – 1714 AD	English and Scottish settlers brought new styles and craftsmen Defensive buildings inc. bawns, walled courtyards, battlements and corner towers.	Bellaghy Bawn and castle	Bellaghy Bawn
Georgian Period 1714 – 1837	Industrial and agricultural development Large country houses influenced by European grand tours Simple and symmetrical styles	Florence Court House, Co. Fermanagh	Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh
Victorian Period 1837 – 1901	Rebuilding of plantation towns, development of estates, estate villages and market towns.Development of industrial towns and mill villages Suburbanisation Polychromatic brickwork Imported stone A variety of architectural styles including Neoclassical, Italianate, Gothic Revival, Celtic Revival, Scottish Baronial and Ruskinian Gothic.	The Palm House, Botanic Gardens, Belfast Belfast City Hall	The Palm House, Botanic Gardens, Belfast
Edwardian Period 1901 – 1914	Wide availability of imported stone and materials Prefabrication Eclectic style (or Arts & Crafts) incorporating elements of Queen Anne classical revival, Dutch gables and elements of the arts and crafts style.	Austin’s, Londonderry Scottish Mutual Building, Belfast	Scottish Mutual Building, Belfast
Modern and Contemporary Period 1914 – Present	International style influence Rectilinear forms Stripped of ornamentation Structural innovation Use of new materials Progressive move away from craft skills to ‘ready made’ building construction	Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen The King’s Hall, Belfast	Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen

‘Type’	Examples:	Picture:
Residential	Villas Country Houses Terraced Housing Vernacular cottages	Parkanaur Manor House, Dungannon
Commercial	Chemist Butchers Public House Grocers	Chemist, Derrygonnelly
Educational	Schools Universities Colleges	Lanyon Building, Queens University, Belfast
Industrial	Mills Plants Storage spaces Distribution centres Dockyards	Jennymount Spinning Mill, Belfast
Ecclesiastical	A variety of shapes, sizes, forms and religious denominations including from Gothic to Brutalism.	Riverside Church, Newry
Agricultural	Barns Sheds Grain stores	Cottage and outbuildings, Fivemiletown
Government	City Hall Courthouses Parliament buildings Assembly rooms	Assembly Rooms, Belfast
Civic	Town halls Libraries Engineering works (bridges)	Lattice Iron Bridge, Hilden Mill, Lisburn
Monuments	Ecclesiastical Ruins Fortifications Industrial Heritage	Samson and Goliath Cranes, Belfast

While the fundamental components of a house, such as walls, roofs, doors, and windows, are well-known, their sizes and shapes can differ significantly across different regions worldwide. Even within a relatively small area like Northern Ireland, these features exhibit substantial variations. The terminology used to describe the various elements of a building can sometimes be overwhelming, but familiarising oneself with such terminology can aid in research and documentation efforts

Architectural details contribute significantly to the overall character of a building. They inject personality into the structure, reflecting the choices of the owner, the architectural style, or the prevailing fashion of the time.

Below are some examples of details that add character to historic buildings:

Detail	Explanation	Picture
Architrave	The lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of columns; also a moulded frame around a doorway or window
Ashlar	Masonry consisting of blocks of accurately dressed, cut, squared and finished stone, forming perfect courses, laid in mortar
Bargeboard	A board that is affixed to the projecting gable of a roof. Its primary functions are to enhance the structural integrity and safeguard the roof while concealing the exposed end grain of the horizontal timbers
Bay Window	Type of window that protrudes outward from the main walls of a building. Bay windows are characterized by their curved or polygonal shape, often featuring multiple glass panels that allow ample natural light to enter the interior. They are commonly found in residential homes, adding architectural interest to both the exterior and interior of the building
Corinthian Order	One of the classical orders of architecture in Ancient Greece and Rome. It is characterised by a column with a slender, fluted shaft and a capital adorned with intricate acanthus leaf decorations. The Corinthian order is considered the most ornate and decorative of the classical orders, emphasizing elegance and sophistication
Cornice	A decorative element that crowns the uppermost part of a building’s exterior wall or serves as a decorative moulding along the top of an interior wall. It is positioned horizontally and extends beyond the vertical plane of the wall
Doric Order	One of the classical orders of architecture in Ancient Greece and Rome. It is characterised by a column with a plain, sturdy shaft and a capital that consists of a simple circular cushion and a square abacus. The Doric order is known for its robust and straightforward design, emphasising strength and solidity. It is often associated with more restrained and austere architectural styles, particularly in ancient temples and public buildings
Dormer Window	A window that is set vertically in a small, protruding structure called a dormer, which is integrated into the slope of a roof. Dormer windows typically have their own small roof, which projects out from the main roof of a building. They are commonly used to provide additional light, ventilation, and headroom to the attic or upper floor of a building. Dormer windows come in various styles and shapes, such as gable, hipped, shed, or eyebrow, and can add architectural interest to the exterior of a structure while creating usable interior space
Entablature	A horizontal architectural element that rests on top of columns or pilasters in classical architecture. It is typically found in the classical orders, such as the The entablature consists of three main components: the architrave, the frieze and the cornice. The entablature serves as a transition between the vertical elements (columns or pilasters) and the roof or upper portion of a building
Fanlight	A window or decorative feature that is located above a door or window. It is typically semi-circular or fan-shaped
Finial	An element that is often placed at the top or end of a structure, such as a roof, pinnacle, spire, gable, or fence post, serving as a crowning ornament or embellishment
Frieze	A horizontal band or panel that is located between the architrave and the cornice in classical architecture, often decorated with various motifs, sculptural reliefs, or ornamental patterns
Ionic Order	One of the classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. It is characterised by its distinctive capital, which features volutes (scroll-like ornaments) on each side
Keystone	A wedge-shaped element that is typically positioned at the top center of an arch or vault. It is the final stone to be placed during construction and plays a crucial structural role in maintaining the stability and integrity of the arch or vault. It is often larger or more elaborately decorated than the surrounding stones, drawing attention to its central position
Sash Window	A type of window that consists of one or more movable panels, known as sashes, which slide vertically or horizontally within the window frame. Each sash typically contains one or more glass panes
Oriel Window	A window that projects outward from the main wall of a building, typically on an upper floor. It is usually supported by brackets, corbels, or a cantilevered structure. Oriel windows are known for their decorative and protruding design, creating additional space and providing panoramic views from within
Pilaster	A pilaster is a vertical, rectangular or flattened column-like architectural element that is attached to a wall. It resembles a decorative, shallow column or half-column, projecting from the wall surface. Pilasters are primarily ornamental and serve to provide visual interest and architectural detailing to a structure
Portico	A covered entranceway or porch that typically features a roof supported by columns or pillars
Quoin	The external corner of a building or wall. Often accented to create a decorative feature that emphasises the corners and adds visual interest and definition to the structure
Tuscan Order	A classical order originating in Ancient Rome, sharing similarities with the Doric order in terms of its robust and sturdy appearance. It consists of a column with a smooth, unfluted shaft and a simple capital that lacks any ornamental details. The capital is often composed of a rounded or square abacus resting directly on top of the column

Prior to the 19th century, Ulster relied heavily on materials that could be sourced locally. With the advent of the industrial revolution, and the region’s burgeoning economic and commercial prosperity, materials from Great Britain, Europe and beyond became more easily accessible.

The choice of materials greatly influences a building’s character, as evident in the ageing, weathering, and surface texture transformations they undergo over time.

Material:	Predominantly used for:	Picture:
Lead	Roofing/Flashing
Copper	Pipes Roofs (Green patina) Decorative elements
Limestone	Wall construction
Brick	Wall construction Chimney construction Decorative surrounds
Thatch	Roof covering
Stone: Ashlar	Wall construction Stone surrounds
Stone: Random Rubble/Coursed Rubble	Wall construction Boundary construction
Clay tiles	Roof covering Decorative finishes
Slate	Roof covering
Wrought iron	Railings Decorative features Fixtures and fixings
Corrugated iron/tin	Wall construction Roof covering
Cast iron	Railings Decorative features Machinery, stoves, gutters and downpipes etc. Structural frames
Lime render/harling/wash coating	Rendered finish
Earth/mud/ horsehair	Wall construction
Stone: Dressed/sawn/ carved	Wall construction
Timber	Roof structure Timber frames  Fixtures and fittings
Glass	Fixtures and fittings; windows

Publications from Ulster Architectural Heritage

Ulster Architectural Heritage has been publishing books on the region’s significant architecture and architects since 1968.

Our publications are used by academics, historians, architects, and planners, and are widely collected as an invaluable resource on local history and buildings past and present.

Our Buildings Of series of publications, and our Gazetteers offer an insight into assets of historic and architectural significance across Ulster.

Likewise, the books below provide a helpful, more general introduction to Ulster’s Architectural Heritage, covering styles, periods, details, and history:

Marcus Patton – The Bedside Book of Dormers and Other Delights

Hugh Dixon – An Introduction to Ulster Architecture

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Other publications

Other helpful publications include:

The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture;

A Concise History of Architectural Styles:

Rice’s Architectural Primer.

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Online Resources

As always, Wikipedia provides a helpful overview to architectural styles and history in Ireland:

Architecture of Ireland

Architecture of Belfast