Historic Convent Blaze
Historic Downpatrick Convent of Mercy Engulfed by Major Fire, Emergency Services Respond
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Key Points
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The Convent of Mercy had gone on the market last October with planning permission for flats, and was listed at an asking price of £400,000; it had previously sold for £175,000 in 2019.
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Emergency response was extensive: more than 60 firefighters and 10 appliances, including an aerial platform, were deployed to tackle the blaze.
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There were inconsistencies in reporting the fire’s location: some outlets placed it on St Patrick's Avenue, while others described the Stream Street area.
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Local politicians expressed heartbreak and condolences; SDLP MLA Colin McGrath described it as heartbreaking and paid tribute to firefighters, with Councillor Conor Galbraith calling the loss 'so very sad' and urging people to avoid the area.
A large fire tore through the historic former Convent of Mercy in Downpatrick on Sunday evening, June 28, sending a thick column of smoke over the town center and drawing more than 60 firefighters to the scene. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service deployed 10 appliances — including an aerial ladder platform — to battle the blaze, which was reported at around 7pm Express Mirror.
The B1-listed building, a Victorian landmark that had sat derelict for years and was most recently on the market for £400,000, is now feared to have suffered catastrophic damage. Police closed off St Patrick's Avenue and Stream Street as emergency services urged residents to keep doors and windows shut AOL.
Firefighters Battle a Well-Developed Roof Blaze
The first units from Downpatrick Fire Station arrived at around 7:15pm to find a "well-developed" fire in the upper floors and roof space of the empty stone building. By 7:45pm, NIFRS had upgraded the incident and called in extra resources. The roof is reported to have partially collapsed as firefighters worked into the night ITV.
An NIFRS spokesperson said: "Operations are ongoing to contain the fire and prevent spread to adjacent properties. We urge the public to avoid the area to allow our crews space to work safely." A wide police cordon blocked off the surrounding streets to traffic and pedestrians AOL.
A 170-Year-Old Landmark Left Vacant and Vulnerable
The Convent of Mercy was built around 1855 and designed by J.J. McCarthy, a celebrated Irish architect. The Sisters of Mercy used the building for education and healthcare for over 160 years. After the sisters left, it fell vacant and was placed on a heritage "at-risk" list Mirror.
The property sold for £175,000 in 2019. By October 2023, it was back on the market at £400,000 — a jump of £225,000 — after planning permission was granted for 39 residential units. Heritage experts had warned for years that the empty building was vulnerable to fire or vandalism Express.
Politicians Call It Heartbreaking as Town Mourns
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath was among the first to react. "The news of the fire at the Convent in Downpatrick is simply heartbreaking," he said. "This is an iconic building in our town. I want to pay tribute to the firefighters who are working under incredibly difficult conditions tonight" Mirror.
SDLP Councillor Conor Galbraith called the loss "so very sad" and urged people to stay away from the area. Downpatrick residents echoed that grief on social media, with many voicing frustration that the building had been left empty and unsecured for so long despite its prominent location in the town center Express.
Fire Raises Questions About Heritage Buildings at Risk
If the internal timber structure and McCarthy-designed roof are destroyed, experts say the B1 listing — which marks a building of "more than local importance" — may no longer be viable. That could open the door to full demolition, a worst-case outcome for preservationists and a major setback for local housing plans Yahoo News.
The incident is expected to reignite debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly about the "Listed Buildings at Risk" register. Critics argue that owners face too few consequences for failing to secure historic landmarks. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, and investigations are expected to begin once operations wind down AOL.
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