Rathfriland's Chandler’s House officially reopened after £850,000 restoration

IT WAS a red letter day in the story of Rathfriland on Thursday past (12 January) as the historic Chandler's House was officially reopened.

Originally constructed in 1778 as a soap and candle-making factory, hence the name Chandler's House, the building has been variously a post office and a bank, but has been largely vacant for the past 15 years after the closure of the Bank of Ireland in the town.

However, it has now been transformed into a warm and welcoming community arts and entertainment space, while the project has also seen the creation of four apartments.

The Rathfriland Regeneration Company purchased the facility upon the bank's closure in 2007 and, after many years of soul-searching and hard work, were able to celebrate last week the official opening of the facility.

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