Market House, Newtownards
| Market House, Newtownards | |
|---|---|
 Market House, Newtownards | |
| Location | Newtownards |
| Coordinates | 54°35′37″N 5°41′45″W / 54.593732°N 5.695969°W |
| Built | 1771 |
| Architect | Ferdinando Stratford |
| Architectural style(s) | Grecian-Doric style |
Listed Building – Grade B+ | |
| Designated | 4 March 1977 |
| Reference no. | HB 24/13/001 |
  Shown in Northern Ireland | |
Market House is a municipal building in Conway Square, Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a Grade B+ listed building.[1]
History
The building was commissioned by Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry to be the center of the market town, a role previously undertaken by Newtownards Priory.[2] It was designed by Ferdinando Stratford in a Grecian-Doric style and built of Scrabo stone between 1767 and 1771.[3][4]
The ground floor was originally an open space where a market could be held and was entered from Conway Square through a central archway which was fitted with gates that could be opened and closed at night. The upper floor had an assembly room over the west wing with a drawing room in the east wing, now known as the Londonderry Room.[5]
The market House was held by the United Irishmen travelling to the Battle of Saintfield during the Rebellion against British rule in June 1798.[5]
The Market House was used as the local town hall from the early 20th century, but it is now used as an Arts Centre.[5]
References
- ^ "Town Hall, Conway Street, Newtownards, Co. Down (HB 24/13/001)". Department for Communities. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "Market House". Ulster Scots Heritage Trail. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "The Market House". Newtownards Historical Series. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "The History of Newtownards". Culture Northern Ireland. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b c "Newtownards Walking Leaflet" (PDF). Ards and North Down Borough Council. Retrieved 21 April 2020.