About Hearth

Hearth Historic Buildings Trust was established in 1972 by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society and the National Trust in order to restore historic buildings across Northern Ireland that were at risk of loss through dereliction or demolition.

Shortly after that it became known as Hearth Revolving Fund - a charity which would raise loans and grants to undertake the restoration of historic buildings, and repay the loans on completion, hopefully generating a small surplus to carry forward to the next project.

In 1976 Hearth's committee set up Hearth Housing Association in order to provide social housing through the restoration of historic buildings. For many years the two charities shared the same committee and used the two organisations flexibly to achieve the most suitable mechanism to restore buildings. In 2017 Hearth Housing Association became part of Clanmil Housing Association in order to increase the capital available for projects and improve the opportunities for staff. Hearth Revolving Fund is now known as Hearth Historic Buildings Trust.

Over the years Hearth Historic Buildings Trust has restored some forty dwellings, a community theatre, a heritage education centre and two restaurants. The Housing Association restored just over a hundred houses, and the architectural staff of Hearth has restored a further thirty buildings in association with the National Trust, the Irish Landmark Trust and a number of local councils.


Projects carried out by Hearth Historic Buildings Trust include:
Drumbeg Lockhouse, Belfast
Wilmont Cottages, Belfast
Main Street, Moira
Hamilton Terrace, Belfast
Whaley's Buildings, Armagh
Stewart's Place, Holywood
Ballyskeagh Lockhouse, Lambeg
The Curfew Tower, Cushendall
Glenoe
Woodbine Cottage, Belfast
Sharp's House, Markethill
Alexandra Park, Belfast
Curry's Cottage, Derrylin
Portrush Town Hall
 College Green House, Belfast
People's Park, Ballymena
Sion Mills Stables

Projects carried out by Hearth Housing Association:
Seaforde Almshouses and Main Street
Camden Terrace, Belfast
The Antrim Arms, Glenarm
Old Schoolhouse, Glenarm
Clifton Villas, Belfast
Rose Cottage, Belfast
High Street, Comber
Annahilt Almshouses
Joy Street, Belfast
Castlederg
Donegall Street, Belfast
Court Street, Newtownards
Irish Street, Downpatrick
McMaster Street, Belfast
Castle Upton, Templepatrick
Wallace Park, Lisburn
Ormeau Park House, Belfast

Architectural Projects for other Bodies:
Main Street, Benburb
Castle Ward Stable Yard
Grand Yard, Castlecoole
Thompson Fountain, Belfast
Calder Fountain, Belfast
Loughgall Courthouse
114-116 Irish Street, Downpatrick
11-21 Stream Street, Downpatrick
Patterson's Spade Mill, Templepatrick
Rural Cottages, Glens of Antrim
7 The Square, Cushendun
Ice House, Slieve Donard
Ballealy Cottage, Randalstown
Ballydugan Old Town, Co Down
Drumnadonaghy Road, Kilwaughter
Mill Cottage, Co Down
Sentry Hill, Co Antrim
Tullymurry House, Donaghmore