Built as a private residence in 1924 for Scottish architect Thomas Callender, Lennoxvale later played host to Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology. Despite its prestigious history and academic credentials, the Italianate-style building has been in decay for some time.While plans were approved in 1988 for the building to be demolished and replaced with bedsits, for unknown reasons, the plan never came to fruition. In October 2015, Belfast City Council formally rejected plans to extend the building into five student apartments and the building’s fate has remained in limbo since.Built as a private residence in 1924 for Scottish architect Thomas Callender, Lennoxvale later played host to Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology. Despite its prestigious history and academic credentials, the Italianate-style building has been in decay for some time.While plans were approved in 1988 for the building to be demolished and replaced with bedsits, for unknown reasons, the plan never came to fruition. In October 2015, Belfast City Council formally rejected plans to extend the building into five student apartments and the building’s fate has remained in limbo since.
Built as a private residence in 1924 for Scottish architect Thomas Callender, Lennoxvale later played host to Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology. Despite its prestigious history and academic credentials, the Italianate-style building has been in decay for some time.While plans were approved in 1988 for the building to be demolished and replaced with bedsits, for unknown reasons, the plan never came to fruition. In October 2015, Belfast City Council formally rejected plans to extend the building into five student apartments and the building’s fate has remained in limbo since.

10 abandoned buildings across Northern Ireland that have a story to tell

Northern Ireland is home to many haunting, but beautiful buildings in urban decay, where history has been suspended in time.
By Conor McAteer
Published 1st Mar 2024, 12:44 BST

From grand mansions to bustling arcades, and schools to industrial mills, these abandoned buildings tell stories of prestige, tragedy, and mysterious legends.

Here are 10 abandoned buildings across Northern Ireland that you may not be able to visit, but still have a story to tell:

This summer residence, built in the 1870s as a retreat for Scottish industrialist Stewart Clark, became a war hospital supply depot in 1939, before converting into a hospital and ultimately closing its doors in 1986.Alongside vandalism and collapsed floors, the dark hallways, reports of blood-splattered walls, and ghost sightings make this venue something out of a horror film. Producer Ridley Scott filmed his sci-fi thriller Morgan at this location.

5. Cairndhu House, Coast Road, Ballygally

This summer residence, built in the 1870s as a retreat for Scottish industrialist Stewart Clark, became a war hospital supply depot in 1939, before converting into a hospital and ultimately closing its doors in 1986.Alongside vandalism and collapsed floors, the dark hallways, reports of blood-splattered walls, and ghost sightings make this venue something out of a horror film. Producer Ridley Scott filmed his sci-fi thriller Morgan at this location. Photo: Ireland.com

This school for children aged 4-11 years opened in 1969. While only having two teachers, it served up to 40 students from Bangor, Groomsport, Conlig and Donaghadee.Due to dwindling numbers, the school became the Cotton Reading Unit to provide specialist support for children with additional needs but closed in 2013 and has been abandoned since.In April 2021, Minister for Education Peter Weir stated that the campus was being retained by the Education Authority for future use.

6. Cotton Primary School, 92 Cotton Road, Bangor

This school for children aged 4-11 years opened in 1969. While only having two teachers, it served up to 40 students from Bangor, Groomsport, Conlig and Donaghadee.Due to dwindling numbers, the school became the Cotton Reading Unit to provide specialist support for children with additional needs but closed in 2013 and has been abandoned since.In April 2021, Minister for Education Peter Weir stated that the campus was being retained by the Education Authority for future use. Photo: Urbex Hub website

This 2300 square foot American-themed diner opened its doors in 1999, just off the A21 Bangor to Newtownards dual carriageway. Outside of the general seating area, bar and kitchen, customers could dine al fresco at picnic tables situated at the front. Art featuring American icons, such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Buddy Holly were displayed along the walls.Unfortunately, the diner closed after just a few months of operation in August 1999.

7. The American Diner (Route 66), 105 Main Street, Conlig, Newtownards

This 2300 square foot American-themed diner opened its doors in 1999, just off the A21 Bangor to Newtownards dual carriageway. Outside of the general seating area, bar and kitchen, customers could dine al fresco at picnic tables situated at the front. Art featuring American icons, such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Buddy Holly were displayed along the walls.Unfortunately, the diner closed after just a few months of operation in August 1999. Photo: UrbexHub

This base on the shore of Lough Foyle, northwest of Derry / Londonderry, opened in June 1941 as a base for RAF Coastal Command.From here, aircraft were dispatched to sink U-boats, thousands of miles in the Atlantic Ocean. RAF B-17 bombers attacked eleven German submarines, sinking two of them, before moving to RAF Aldergrove in February 1943. The base closed in 1972 and was turned over to the British Army. The Army eventually pulled out in 2008, and three years later the Ministry of Defence handed the land over to the Northern Ireland Executive free of charge. Almost the entire estate was sold in 2016 to the family-owned MJM Group in Newry, which specialises in the fit-out of cruise ships and yachts. However, very little development has occurred since then.

8. RAF Ballykelly, Limavady

This base on the shore of Lough Foyle, northwest of Derry / Londonderry, opened in June 1941 as a base for RAF Coastal Command.From here, aircraft were dispatched to sink U-boats, thousands of miles in the Atlantic Ocean. RAF B-17 bombers attacked eleven German submarines, sinking two of them, before moving to RAF Aldergrove in February 1943. The base closed in 1972 and was turned over to the British Army. The Army eventually pulled out in 2008, and three years later the Ministry of Defence handed the land over to the Northern Ireland Executive free of charge. Almost the entire estate was sold in 2016 to the family-owned MJM Group in Newry, which specialises in the fit-out of cruise ships and yachts. However, very little development has occurred since then. Photo: UrbexHub

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