Fresh hopes for restoration of historic Lisnamallard House in Omagh

PLANS to restore and redevelop historic Lisnamallard House and Gardens in Omagh have taken an important first step, with hopes that the project could transform the site into a valuable community and heritage asset.

Sinn Féin councillor Barry McElduff has welcomed early progress towards securing a sustainable future for the historic property, following discussions at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Describing the discussions as an important development for the town, Cllr McElduff said: “We take early, tentative steps this evening at an important Council meeting in Omagh to advance plans for restoration and redevelopment of Lisnamallard House and Gardens.

“Will be transformational for Omagh. Involves partnership working and Heritage Lottery application.”

The emerging proposals envisage restoring the historic building and bringing it back into meaningful use, with a focus on heritage, community engagement and skills development.

The council's Regeneration and Community Resources Committee has supported moving the initiative forward, with a reported expression of interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund forming part of the process.

The project could also involve partnership working with South West College, with opportunities to develop traditional heritage conservation skills and green skills training.

Enhancing the surrounding gardens and green space is another potential element of the vision, helping preserve the site's historic character while opening up new opportunities for public benefit.

Although the project remains at an early stage, the prospect of securing external funding and developing partnerships offers fresh hope for the future of one of Omagh's notable historic properties.

DUP councillor Errol Thompson, who seconded the proposal, also welcomed the prospect of bringing the house back into use, describing it as a wonderful asset close to the town centre and leisure facilities.

Lisnamallard House has a long and interesting history. The Georgian residence, situated off the Old Mountfield Road, is generally dated to around 1815-1820, although an older date stone marked 1724 survives in a wall within the gardens.

Originally known as Millbank House, the property was acquired from the Orr family by Charles Scott in 1881. Scott owned the nearby Excelsior Mills, and the house remained associated with the Scott family until Omagh District Council purchased it in 1994.

The family continued to live there until September 1997, after which the building was used as council offices for the Environmental Health Team. It later became vacant and has since deteriorated, prompting longstanding concerns about its preservation.

The property is recognised as an important heritage asset, with the house included on the Northern Ireland Heritage at Risk register since 2003. The surrounding grounds extend to approximately 32.5 acres and include mature trees, historic avenues, ornamental gardens and distinctive bee-bole niches in an old garden wall.

The gardens and wider landscape are listed on the Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest at Grade A, underlining the importance of protecting the site's historic setting as well as the building itself.

Previous plans have also identified opportunities to bring Lisnamallard House back into productive use. The Omagh Place Shaping Plan 2035, published in 2022, highlighted the vacant property as a potential visitor hub for nearby Arleston Park, with ideas including a café and accommodation.

The latest proposals offer an opportunity to build on those ambitions by exploring a future centred on heritage conservation, community use and skills development.

A conservation management plan has also been developed to help guide the long-term preservation, maintenance and sustainable reuse of the house and grounds.

Further work will be required to establish the full scope and cost of restoration, secure funding and agree the partnerships needed to deliver the project.

However, the latest council discussions mark an encouraging step towards protecting Lisnamallard House and unlocking its potential for future generations.

For Omagh, the ambition is not simply to save a historic building, but to breathe new life into a landmark property and create an asset that could contribute to the town's heritage, community life and wider regeneration.