History of The Bridewell

Bridewell Jail

In past centuries The Bridewell in Magherafelt was where local citizens were locked up for their misdemeanors, unable to communicate with the outside world. In stark contrast, the doors of today's Bridewell building are well and truly open, the bank of computers inside allowing people to communicate with others world-wide. Formerly the Court House and jail, The Bridewell now contains Magherafelt's new Library, which was officially opened on 19th June 2002 by Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Michael McGimpsey.

The Bridewell building is used by the NEELB Library Service to provide a wide range of resources, with adult and children's books available for lending along with CD, Video and DVD collections. 20 PC's provide access to the "People's Network", (a speedy broad band Internet connection) allowing library members to email friends, search for information, use video conferencing facilities and also visit "A Sense of Place"! Local newspapers, dating from the nineteenth century, are held on microfilm and can be viewed through a special Reader/Printer (including the court report mentioned in the page on Magherafelt's Old Courthouse).

A familiar landmark at the bottom of Magherafelt's Broad Street, the site of the present Bridewell building used to be occupied by both the old courthouse, as well as the jail. The old cells and Bridewell walls (see photo opposite) have now been incorporated into the new building, which houses Magherafelt's new library and a tourist information point. The site has a long history, with Maitlands "History of Magherafelt" stating that a place of worship can be traced back to 1425. It was in the 19th century that the site became more associated with legal, rather than spiritual, matters with the building of a courthouse.

In 1872, when the new Courthouse in Hospital Road opened, the Bridewell cells were no longer needed. Eighteen years later when alterations were made converting the Old Courthouse into a Townhall, living accommodation was provided for the caretaker in the Bridewell. In the 1940's a Public Library was opened in the Townhall. Many members of the community remember the librarians of that time Mrs McCracken and Mrs Miller and the caretaker, Mrs Cissy Fullan, who lived in the Bridewell. In those days the Library had a hardboard floor that was usually strewn with flattened cardboard boxes to keep it clean! There were 6 bookcases along the walls and these were covered with wire chicken mesh when the library was closed, so that the books could not be stolen. Many "socials" and dances took place around the books of the library!

'Unlocking the past' a Bridewell cell

The London Company of Salters, the landowners of the town of Magherafelt, agreed that a Bridewell should be built beside the Courthouse. An extract of the minutes of the Salters' Court for the 4th May 1837 explains how Sir Robert Bateson, the lessee, suggested the Linen Hall beside the Courthouse should be demolished and a Bridewell built in its place. The new Bridewell was designed by the County Surveyor, Mr Stewart Gordon, and erected in 1839 at a cost of £515. When Mr Valentine visited, on behalf of the Salters' company, in 1845, he described the building as "clean and in excellent order". Here prisoners were kept before the Petty Sessions held on alternate Wednesdays when: "all cases of felony, assault, rescue, servant's wages, poor-law rates, and disputes arising between manufacturers and weavers are heard and adjudicated".

History of Bridewell

• 1804 Courthouse built costing £515.
• 1839 Tunnel built from cells to dock in centre of court.
• 1869 New courthouse built in Hospital Road. Ownership of the old Courthouse passed to Salter's Company.
• 1890 Alterations costing £253.19 resulting in the old Courthouse becoming the Townhall.
• 1903 Salters Company passes ownership to Market Trustees.
• 1940's Townhall becomes Public Library.
• 1967 Library moves to Queen's Avenue with the opening of the Council Offices.
• 1972 Bomb destroys the roof of the Townhall and the building becomes derelict.
• 1979 Trustees sign 99 year lease with the Council. Site to be developed for the use of the community.
• 1980 Remainder of old Townhall demolished.
• 1989 Building refurbished and opened as Tourist Information Centre.
• 2001 Redevelopment of Bridewell adding new Library and meeting rooms.