Dan Rice Hall Celebration as Historic Clock is Refurbished

Council Works to Repair and Restore Historic Clock Complete

The completion of works to restore Dan Rice Hall’s historic Clock Tower in Drumaness has been celebrated in the village.

Newry, Mourne, Down District Council’s refurbishment following an investment of £15,000 means the clock is back up and running, with new clock faces, back light features and a new electrical supply to operate the new electric clock mechanism.

Originally constructed as a canteen for the employees of the linen mill industry in 1850, the clock tower itself would also have been a very familiar site to many mill workers starting and ending their shifts.

In remembrance of the late SDLP Councillor Dan Rice, who spent over two decades serving the community, the facility was later renamed Dan Rice Hall, and it currently serves as a community hub facilitating a variety of activities.

To mark the completion of the refurbishment the Council recently invited relatives of the late Dan Rice along with community representatives, Slieve Croob Councillors and District Electoral Area Forum members to inspect the works.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Chairperson, Cllr Pete Byrne said, “I would like to thank everyone who devoted their time and energy to campaign for the refurbishment of the tower clocks and I am pleased that the Council was able to fund this project. Dan Rice Hall is a focal point to the Drumaness community and surrounding areas. It is important to help conserve this historically important building and contribute to such a vital community asset.”

Eibhlin King, daughter of the late Dan Rice, said she was delighted the Clock Tower was operating again. “Before my brother Donal Rice’s passing, one of his wishes was to have the clock tower operating again as a focal point for the residents of Drumaness,” she said.