THE Mourne Wall restoration project has been named project of the year at the regional RICS Awards, which celebrate the top community-led built projects and the talent behind them.
The reconstruction of the wall, which consisted of more than 600 repairs along the entire 22 mile length, came out top from a record 36 entries, winning its category (building conservation) before being named the overall project of the year, which goes to a scheme demonstrating outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.
It will now progress to the national RICS Awards grand final at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel in October for the chance to be crowned overall UK winner.
Judges said: "The collaboration between stakeholders to overcome the many challenges in completing the project, whilst working to minimise impact on the environment so future generations can enjoy this exceptional landmark”.
The extensive Mourne Wall project has brought the wall back to its original condition as it would have been over 100 years ago.
Hand built by the Belfast Water Commissioners between 1904 and 1922 to mark and protect the 9,000-acre water catchment which feeds the Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs, the Mourne Wall has been a listed building since 1996 and today is in the ownership of NI Water.
This most recent phase of the wall restoration saw repairs including a 27-metre collapse on Slieve Bernagh and extensive path works. In blending the old with the new, the project team used helicopters to transport the materials before employing traditional methods of rolling the stones into place.
RICS Awards judging panel chair Michael Hannaway said: “The RPS Group and Geda Construction project team has successfully completed a lengthy and thorough revival of this historic landmark.
“The Mourne Wall is in a Special Area of Conservation, Area of Special Scientific Interest and the heart of an Area of Outstanding Beauty. It also plays an important role environmentally and navigationally to the 100,000 walkers that visit the area.
“Judges were impressed with the blending of traditional skills and craftsmanship with modern surveying techniques to return the wall to its original condition.
“The £1.6m project involved descendants of the original wall builders and included the use of local materials that were expertly crafted. The team behind it should be very proud as it was no easy task, with such a challenging landscape to work within and many factors to consider in ensuring minimised environmental impact.”
Other winners were:
• Commercial – River House, Belfast
• Community Benefit - Raidió Fáilte / Líonra Uladh, Belfast
• Design through Innovation – DAERA, Ballykelly
• Infrastructure - The Blossom Children’s & Young People Centre, Craigavon Area Hospital
• Regeneration – Let's Go Hydro, Carryduff
• Residential - Northland Road Residential Development, Derry
• Tourism & Leisure - Grand Central Hotel, Belfast
