Historic home of Northern Ireland’s first PM vandalised

Vandals have caused “wanton damage” to the historical home of Northern Ireland’s first prime minister.

Craigavon House in east Belfast was the home of Sir James Craig and dates back to 1880.

Sir James was the director of Dunville and Company, a company that blended pure pot still whiskey as well as importing tea to Belfast, and first became an MP in 1903 before becoming one of the leaders of the campaign against home rule, and the region’s first prime minister in 1921.

Anti-home rule rallies were held in the grounds of Craigavon House, which also hosted meetings of the first provisional government of Northern Ireland.

It went on to be a hospital for the Ulster Volunteers returning from the First World War and later used as a nursing home.

It is currently owned by the charity the Somme Association.

Somme Association director Carol Walker said there has been a running battle guarding against anti social behaviour at the house all summer, but things escalated with an incident thought to have happened last weekend.

Damage was caused to hand-carved spindles on the staircase, and a part of the original ornate cornice was also torn down and used as a weight for a Union Flag to be erected.

“It’s extremely disappointing because they got in and caused wanton damage, the double return stair case is absolutely exquisite, it’s 150 years old,” she said.

“The house was built in 1880, it’s unique, it’s beautiful, and each one of those spindles are hand carved and individual, and has a different motif on it.

“They have damaged nine of them.

“The house is full of history, and it’s a shared history. When it was the UVF hospital and then the Somme Hospital, it looked after all soldiers who returned from the First World War.

“It’s extremely annoying for us as a charity because it costs us money and time, looking after it.”

She said it has been very hard to find funding to restore Craigavon House.

“We have tried.

“We have had every political leader, we’ve had Secretary of States and all political parties, and still Craigavon House hasn’t been able to secure the funding.

“In some ways the history of the house itself is a bit of a millstone around its neck,” she said.

“There hasn’t been a push to try and safeguard Craigavon House.

“It is the home of the first prime minister of Northern Ireland.

“If it was in any other country, it would be fully restored and a visitors’ attraction.”

DUP MLA Joanne Bunting said she wanted to see greater protection in place.

“Craigavon House is a site of national significance, yet it is vulnerable to repeated attacks,” she said.

“We need to see greater protection in place to prevent further damage, alongside a clear plan for restoration.

“This building should be preserved and showcased as part of our history – a place where people can come to learn about the foundations of Northern Ireland.

“The sooner action is taken to secure and restore it, the better chance we have of ensuring that Craigavon House is not lost to neglect and vandalism.”

TUV councillor Matthew Warwick said he was “extremely disappointed” by the vandalism.

He said “Craigavon House played a pivotal role in the history of Northern Ireland, and is a building that speaks to sacrifice, service, and statehood.

He praised the Somme Association for their work for the house, but said it had been neglected” by politicians, and that despite being included in the 2020 New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal as a site earmarked for restoration, nothing has been done.

“No plan, no political urgency.

“By contrast, Republican cultural demands have not only been heard — they have been delivered: an Irish Language Act has been enacted and an Irish Language Commissioner is in the process of being recruited,” he said.

“Significant public resources have been dedicated to advancing that cultural agenda.

“Meanwhile, Craigavon House continues to decay — unguarded, unrestored, and now vandalised.

“Stormont’s Programme for Government includes a commitment to redevelop Casement Park, yet Craigavon House — which was specifically mentioned in the New Decade, New Approach agreement — doesn’t merit a mention, four years after that promise was made.

“The public will be rightly unimpressed.”

He added: “I commend the Somme Association and Somme Museum for their tireless efforts to preserve the legacy of Craigavon House but without political action, their work is undermined.

“Craigavon House is not just a building.

“It is a symbol of Ulster’s contribution to history, and it deserves better than this — better than vandalism, and better than neglect.”

A PSNI spokesperson said officers attended a property on the Circular Road area of east Belfast after receiving a report of burglary and criminal damage.

“It is believed that entry was gained to the building sometime on Monday night, August 4, with damage subsequently caused to the interior,” they said.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the 101 number, quoting reference 805 of 08/08/25.”