J3275 : Crumlin Road Tunnel, Belfast

taken 10 years ago, near to Belfast, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

Crumlin Road Tunnel, Belfast
Crumlin Road Tunnel, Belfast
Tunnel connecting Crumlin Road Gaol to the Courthouse LinkExternal link . The tunnel was used to take remand prisoners for trial and, after sentencing, convicted prisoners to the jail. The tunnel also supplied heat to the courthouse - through the partially covered pipes on the right - so when operational apparently it was extremely hot down here (not now, and is several degrees cooler than at the surface). The original brick roof is in the foreground - beyond that the rest of the tunnel has been clad in reinforced concrete: this is the section that is actually under the road and the concrete was added in the 1970s to protect it from surface level car bombs (the tunnel is actually only 1.5 metres deep). Fights were apparently common down here during the 'Troubles' as rival groups of paramilitary prisoners would regularly meet going to and from court.
Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast :: J3375

Designed by Lanyon and completed in 1846, and said to be influenced by Pentonville TQ3084 : Do Not Pass Go! (HMP Pentonville) the prison closed in 1996. It is open for public tours. A scheme has just been announced for it and the nearby former Girdwood Barracks: “The restoration of these buildings will create the potential for much improved facilities for visitors to the Gaol such as exhibits room, gift shop, café and modern waiting areas. A 170-seat conference theatre in the former prison chapel and educational interactive IT areas will be available for use by the local community, schools and businesses in North Belfast and beyond.
This scheme adds to a number of conservation projects that have already been undertaken to preserve the Grade A listed Gaol buildings. Further projects are planned; the repair of the Gaol roof and walls as well as the 35 metre high ventilation chimney. The Gaol entrance at Summer Street, including the roadway at that part of Summer Street is also due to be refurbished. This will provide a more pleasing environment for local residents in that area ... Work is due to commence on site in August 2010 with a completion due in Autumn 2011. Due to the extent of this project and other pending conservation projects it will not be possible to keep the Gaol open to the public during this time. However, following the completion of the Gatehouse and Governor’s Corridor, the Gaol will be more accessible for people with disabilities, facilities for visitors will be greatly improved and the tour experience enhanced as the grade A listed building is opened up for increased community, education and business benefit.”

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Rossographer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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J3275, 96 images   (more nearby search)
Photographer
Date Taken
Sunday, 27 July, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 3 August, 2014
Geographical Context
Historic sites and artefacts  City, Town centre 
Former (from Tags)
Prison 
Place (from Tags)
Belfast 
Subject Location
Irish: geotagged! J 329 753 [100m precision]
WGS84: 54:36.5208N 5:56.5685W
Camera Location
Irish: geotagged! J 329 753
View Direction
South-southwest (about 202 degrees)
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Other Tags
Tunnel  Foot Tunnel  Crumlin Road (Belfast) 

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