1956 – Kinnahalla Youth Hostel, Hilltown, Co. Down

Architect: G. Philip Bell & Roger H. Bell

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Intended as a Youth Hostel to be known as the George VI Memorial Foundation Hostel, it was constructed in the Mourne mountains. In addition to dormitories, there was a flat for a caretaker. Described in The Architect & Building News of 22 November 1956: ” the design is a straightforward and frank expression of the accommodation within, and provides a complete contrast i form, tone, and colour to the surrounding landscape.”

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Known as the Kinnahalla Youth Hostel, it was never really a success, and it was closed in the late 1980s, and later converted into an outward bound centre for the Richmond Fellowship mental health charity in 1991. Completely renovated as to be unrecognisable with more traditional window and roofs as well as conversion of the top floor to dormer windows.

Photograph Copyright Sludge G.