Angel Awards

I drove to Armagh on Tuesday to attend the Ulster Architectural Heritage Awards. I always thought I was drawn to this event because I love old buildings and because I enjoy the songs by local artists commissioned for the event. The artists visit and research historic buildings and then write an imaginative song about its history.

But this go round I figured out that what keeps me coming back is the people. I admire people who club together to protect some local treasure. It could be an old building, or an old switching station (for trains), or--one of the awards--the 20-mile long Mourne Wall.  

It's amazing what people can do when they get inspired. A few winners. Best restoration under 2 million pounds: Three nominees: an 1846 church that was about to collapse; a signal cabin for an old railway; and McMaster Street, a Victorian terrace in East Belfast. I was pulling for McMaster Street, which I love because of the craftsmenshp that went into what were working class houses. There's a video on this page. The winner was the church, which is now available as an Air BnB, gallery here.

In restorations over 2 million pounds, the entries were the incredible rebuilding of Mount Stewart--so elaborate that the BBC did an 8-part series on the work. And the careful reconstruction of the lovely Lanyon Bulding at Queen's. And finally, the restoration of buildings on the main street in a village called Richhill. I was pulling for Mount Stewart partly due to the large tourism business it attracts. But Richhill won, possibly because of the number of community people who got involved in restoring one after another of the town's properties.

As noted, two brothers who have been rebuilding the Mourne Walls won craftsmen of the year.

Oct.29