Randalstown Heritage Trail Information Board

Image: © Kenneth Allen Taken: 6 Apr 2011

Located outside the library and the following text is included, 'New Market House The following description is from the Ordnance Survey Memoir for the Parish of Drummaul written by James Boyle in 1838. "This Market House was erected in 1831 at an expense of £500. of which Lord O'Neill contributed £100. It is a plain substantially built edifice, two storeys high and measuring externally 62 feet 6 inches by 26 feet 6 inches. It is surmounted by a wooden cupola on which is elevated a gilt vane. The underfloor is used as a market for the sale and storage of grain. It opens at each side by three lofty circular arched gateways with wooden gates. Two apartments on this floor are fitted up for the purposes of the Dispensary. The upper floor is used as a Court in which Petty Sessions, Manor Courts, Courts Leet etc. are held." The Market House originally had a hipped roof. At a later date the roof was altered to form a gabled roof as well as the construction of the single storey extensions at each side. In the early 1950s the Petty Sessions were moved to Toomebridge and for a period time the building was used by the Ministry of Health. In 1963 the ground floor was converted to a Branch Library by the County Education Committee. The first floor had loving accommodation. Major alterations and repairs were carried out in 2002 The Market Yard The buildings enclosing the Market Yard at the rear of the Market House were constructed c1853. On the 28th October 1891 a fire broke out in one of the market sheds where flax was being stored. All of the market yard sheds were gutted and a large quantity of flax and grass-seed was destroyed. The market yard buildings were rebuilt later that year by a local builder, James Ewing, at a cost of £1016. The original buildings were single storey and built with stone. The rebuilding of the stores included the use of red facing brick, and the stores on two sides of the market yard were increased in height to two storey. After the second world war a few businesses flourished including a Bookmaker, Shoe repairer and Printing Firm. The Boy Scouts used one of the first floor units at the rear from 1948- 1973. During World War II the two Nissen huts were constructed by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers [R.E.M.E.] and later used by the American Army.'

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