1922 – RUC Station, Poyntzpass, Co. Armagh

These highly distinctive buildings, built to a design by the English architect, T.F.O. Rippingham, and were found throughout Northern Ireland. Originally, they would have contained residential accommodation as well as the police station. This one was finished externally in brown brick, but many were rendered. There were two designs, one larger version with seven first floor windows as opposed to three in the smaller building. One end of the building’s first and ground floors would serve as the sergeant’s family quarters, the other half including the cells and small armoury served as the station and public enquiry office. Many were decommissioned and sold, others demolished or extended. Others such as Saintfield and Dromara are still in use. This station at Poyntzpass had five constables and a sergeant and was closed in 1967. The RUC was founded on 1 June 1922 as a successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary after the partition of Ireland.

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