RFQ 2026/42 - Conservation Engineer for St Paul’s Church The Crag Cemetery Rostrevor

Newry, Mourne & Down District Council looking for a Conservation Engineer who shall undertake a structural assessment of St Paul’s Church and its environs and prepare a phased, costed conservation strategy addressing short-, medium- and long-term actions. St Paul’s Church (ruins) is located within Crag Cemetery in the Rostrevor Conservation Area.

The cemetery is accessed via a lane off Mary Street/The Square and is bounded by St Bronagh’s GAA Clubrooms to the west, with residential development to the south and east. While the church is neither listed in its own right nor a scheduled monument, it is considered curtilage listed due to its proximity to a Grade B listed memorial (HB16/06/050).

The church ruins are in a deteriorated and unstable condition, which has led to the closure of the graveyard on health and safety grounds. This has significant implications for public access, heritage value and community use.

A structural appraisal was undertaken in 2019, with further recommendations issued in 2021. Although initial actions were progressed, the project subsequently stalled due to COVID-19 disruption and changes in personnel. The condition of the structure has since worsened, and the site remains closed.