On Thursday 5 November, Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to a special preview of the conservation and repair work currently underway on a unique heritage structure on the former WWII airfield, RAF Limavady.
The visit saw The Duke meet with project staff, the architectural design team, contractors, funders and key supporters of the heritage project.
The Trainer Dome project forms part of the Binevenagh & Coastal Lowland Landscape Partnership Scheme and is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and other partners.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins said:
“Projects like this demonstrate what can be achieved through strong partnership and a shared commitment to protecting our Borough’s rich heritage.
"This restoration is an important investment in our local history, ensuring this unique landmark can be enjoyed, explored and learned from by future generations. We look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to both the local community and visitors to the area.”
The visit was a chance to showcase progress and all that has been achieved through the first phase of work and to preview what lies ahead as plans progress to reactivate the Dome as an immersive projection lab and community space. The project team are aiming to have it open as early as next year.
The Duke heard that Heritage Fund support made the project possible and ensured a strong focus on including opportunities for local people to get involved and learn more about the Dome and the area’s defence heritage.
Edward Mason, Chief Executive Officer at Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust said:
“We are delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to Artikelly where the transformative power of investment in the historic Trainer Dome is clearly visible.
"We are grateful to have received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and our other partners. Thanks to National Lottery players vital conservation and repairs have rescued heritage at risk and secured the future of the Dome as an important learning and community asset.”
The project team outlined the ‘curated decay’ philosophy of the restoration work – a design approach that preserves the Dome’s authentic historical character and weathered texture while securing its structural integrity.
Built in 1942, the Dome, which is designated as a Scheduled Historic Monument, holds national significance as the only remaining RAF Trainer Dome on the island of Ireland and one of just six surviving examples across the United Kingdom.
When first built the Dome was at the cutting edge of military innovation, using early audio-visual simulation to train anti-aircraft gunners.
The conservation and repair work carried out over the past few months ensures that this irreplaceable piece of defence heritage is safeguarded while creating new opportunities for production skills training, community engagement, cultural heritage interpretation and tourism close to the Causeway Coastal Route.
The visitors got to see how the installation of an internal galvanised steel substructure covered with a tensile fabric skin was used to create a 360-degree immersive projection surface.
The make-up of the original precast concrete interior surface remains visible to visitors at a lower level. Echoes of an original partition wall have been recreated. To support functional daily use, a modular unit inspired by the design of wartime Nissen huts has been added to provide an office, store, and accessible WC.
Crucial site improvements to support the Dome's future role include modern connections for utilities, landscaping, drainage, and a new access driveway and visitor parking spaces.
Stella Byrne, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund added:
“We’re so pleased the see the progress of this unique defence heritage project as part of our commitment to the delivery of the Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership.
"The conservation of the Second World War Training Dome not only provides a sustainable future for this important monument but now offers both visitors and local people the opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of the landscape.”