Heritage at Risk

The Heritage at Risk NI Register (HARNI) highlights over 1100 buildings and monuments of architectural and historic interest whose future seems uncertain due to lack of use or disrepair; or which are under threat through heritage crime and/or inappropriate development.

These vulnerable buildings are considered ‘buildings of potential’, suitable for restoration and re-use. Many structures featured on the HARNI register have subsequently found new owners or uses, with almost 200 removed from the register between 2006-16. Meanwhile negotiations are on-going in other cases. Some 350 buildings have been removed since 2003.

The HARNI project is a partnership between Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) and the Department for Communities: Historic Environment Division (DfC:HED). The primary aims of the HARNI project are to record architecturally and historically important buildings that appear to be at risk, and act as a catalyst for conservation and re-use of built heritage at risk.

Since 1993, UAH and HED have through the Heritage at Risk project, provided help and advice for existing owners who may wish to engage upon a suitable scheme of maintenance; and offer assistance to potential owners that may be interested in restoring a building at risk. As of 2024 there are now 1,100 buildings on the register, of which 879 are listed buildings. That means 9% of our listed buildings are at risk!

To view Heritage at Risk structures in NI visit the Historic Environment Map Viewer webpage and click on the layer for Heritage at Risk.

The HARNI project, its register, the statistics and data it generates, act as a ‘real time’ indicator, both for the condition of individual assets and the identification of trends in the condition of the broad historic environment.

It provides an important indication of how the condition of the historic environment relates to geographical areas, ownership and type, allowing us to identify opportunities, pressures and threats.

Trends identified by the HARNI register can help to direct individuals, groups, funders, and central and local government to target re-use, regeneration and repair works towards heritage need. It also serves to inform wider heritage policy and identify issues affecting heritage, which need to be addressed and prioritised.

Click image to see 'before and after'.

Thatch at Gortinure Road, Maghera, listed building reference HB08-01-021.

Find out more about Heritage at Risk across NI by searching the register here.

You can find further relevant information on the following pages:

Report a Building at Risk

You can report a Building at Risk by clicking the button below.

Report a Building at Risk