image

Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim

Portrush, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Portrush Town Hall underwent a major conservation renovation due to the major deterioration of the building fabric and inappropriate interventions over the years. Stronghold Preservation were contacted to inspect the property as it was suffering from a myriad of issues; damp in the basement, rising damp, woodworm, wet rot in the timber, and nuisance bird problems.


  • The finished hall, after woodworm and wet rot was eradicated, and trusses repaired by timber resin splice, at Portrush Town Hall, Portrush, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland 
  • The finished building, with a bird proofing system installed, basement waterproofing, timber resin splice, & woodworm eradication, at Portrush, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland 
  • Existing feature timber truss: wet rot is visible at the bearing end. Reclaimed pitch pine was spliced onto the existing trusses using a timber resin splice system, at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, NI  
  • Discreet bird spikes, barely visible on the parapet at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, NI 
  • Detailed photo of the discreet bird spikes at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, NI 
  • Discreet bird wire installed on window ledges at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. 
  • Discreet bird wire installed on window ledges at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. 
  • The finished hall, after woodworm and wet rot was eradicated, and trusses repaired by timber resin splice, at Portrush Town Hall, Portrush, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland 
  • The finished building, with a bird proofing system installed, basement waterproofing, timber resin splice, & woodworm eradication, at Portrush, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland 
  • Existing feature timber truss: wet rot is visible at the bearing end. Reclaimed pitch pine was spliced onto the existing trusses using a timber resin splice system, at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, NI  
  • Discreet bird spikes, barely visible on the parapet at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, NI 
  • Detailed photo of the discreet bird spikes at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, NI 
  • Discreet bird wire installed on window ledges at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. 
  • Discreet bird wire installed on window ledges at Portrush Town Hall, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. 

Further Information


Basement Waterproofing
The basement walls were suffering from damp ingress, due to inadequate and missing basement waterproofing. Stronghold Preservation designed and installed an internal cavity drain waterproofing system for the walls and floors, including a sump and pump system. The pump installed had a battery backup in case of power failure, and a high water alarm.  Stronghold Preservation are approved installers of Newtons Cavity Drain Basement Waterproofing System.

Damp Proofing
The ground floor was suffering from rising damp. Stronghold Preservation suggested and installed a chemical injection damp proof course, which successfully solved the damp problem.

Timber Treatment
Evidence was found of active woodworm infestation; all exposed timbers were sprayed with insecticide to eradicate the woodworm. Due to the damp in the building, some of the large timber beams were found to have wet rot at the bearing ends. Stronghold Preservation propped the beams, cut out the decayed timber, and spliced new timber onto the beams using a timber resin splice system. All wall plates and rafter ends were then treated with a boron preservative to protect the timbers from further wood rot problems.

Bird Control & Deterrence
Due, in part to the seaside location, and therefore food availability, the building had a fairly serious bird problem; pigeons, starlings and gulls. On the architects instructions, Stronghold Preservation installed a discreet bird wire and bird spike system to window ledges and parapet edges.

Portrush Town Hall is a beautiful landmark listed historic building, designed in the Scottish baronial style by the famous architect, Charles Lanyon. It is constructed of red brick with striking bands of cream and black brickwork.