Question - Possible Bunker - Northern Ireland

[MHK66]

Hi all,

There exists a disused water works near me that is fenced off. I have explored it before and it is completely abandoned and in disrepair. However while there a nearby fenced area caught my eye. It appears to be an underground structure. Maybe an old pumping station but it seems very well maintained, most notibly with short cut grass. With modern cctv inside the fence, heavy padlock and several electricity boxes outside. There were two old outbuildings on the same site. Just down the road is a heavily secured fort-like explosive depot that was used by a local salt mine. Have heard tell of armed guards at it but not verified it myself nor have I been near it specifically. I just find the two locations to be coincidentally close. I have attached three screenshots from google earth of the wider site and closer images of the possible bunker. The location is along the Beltoy road in County Antrim, just slightly northwest of kilroot power station and north of the marshallstown reservoir. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Olkka]

Really cool lead as an aerial, thanks for posting. Are the derelict looking concrete buildings next to it the waterworks in disrepair you speak of? It does strike me as something water related but you never know. Any idea what this sign says?

 

[Mikeymutt]

That's really interesting. So many leads often lead too nothing. But with the old buildings around makes it quite intriguing.

 

[Rainey]

The third picture looks a lot like an underground/covered reservoir. Judging by it's appearance.

The old buildings though seem interesting, definitely looking like they've seen better days. Could be the map, but they look as if they're semi-sunken.

 

[tigger]

Let me know your thoughts.

Covered reservoir to the North and compound to the South is the water treatment facility for Lough Mourne


Though if I put my tinfoil hat on I can see all sorts of other imaginary things.

 

[MHK66]

Really cool lead as an aerial, thanks for posting. Are the derelict looking concrete buildings next to it the waterworks in disrepair you speak of? It does strike me as something water related but you never know. Any idea what this sign says?

I believe the sign was to warn of deforestation and machinery that was operating by the roadside for a time. And yes those old buildings the old waterworks. Partially explored them myself, I would do more but I'm currently recovering from a broken ankle. Maybe in the future I'll get some photographs of the buildings and share them here.

 

[MHK66]

The third picture looks a lot like an underground/covered reservoir. Judging by it's appearance.

The old buildings though seem interesting, definitely looking like they've seen better days. Could be the map, but they look as if they're semi-sunken.

I didn't know covered reservoirs were a thing in all honesty, so it would likely be that. They look sunken from the satview but there's a steep grass back to the rear of the buildings that is very overgrown, I think that's what making it look sunken. Last time I was there I couldn't get past the overgrowth. Next time I'll go a little further. The main building which has the original entrance way (the longer rectangular building) is fairly sealed up, however access to the other buildings could be had via the rear. One had what looked like a giant hopper/silo of some sort inside. I'll have to go back eventually.

 

[MHK66]

Covered reservoir to the North and compound to the South is the water treatment facility for Lough Mourne


Though if I put my tinfoil hat on I can see all sorts of other imaginary things.

I wasn't aware we had a local covered reservoir given we have both Lough Mourne and Marshallstown Reservoir to supply the local area. The compound to the south in those photos is the derelict buildings I spoke of. You don't mean the larger compound to the north? That one was definitely used to store explosives for the salt mine. I used to see unmarked police escorted trucks with explosive warning labels going in and out of it. Always lit up like a christmas tree with a massive radio tower covered in cameras in the middle of it.

 

[marcman]

Covered reservoir to the North and compound to the South is the water treatment facility for Lough Mourne

The compound to the south in those photos is the derelict buildings I spoke of. You don't mean the larger compound to the north?

Your map images are rotated 180°, so I believe tigger is referring to the actual geographic compass points.

 

[Kenopsia NI]

The small fenced area is definitely something to do with NI water there’s a similar mound at ballyboley forest facilities. It’s still active and if you do venture up that way again don’t get too close as it’s covered in motion sensors and alarms… As for the derelict buildings they don’t really seem to care for them apart from patching up holes in the fence from time to time.

 

[MHK66]

The small fenced area is definitely something to do with NI water there’s a similar mound at ballyboley forest facilities. It’s still active and if you do venture up that way again don’t get too close as it’s covered in motion sensors and alarms… As for the derelict buildings they don’t really seem to care for them apart from patching up holes in the fence from time to time.

Very interesting to know. Thank you. Must be an underground reservoir that's involved in the water treatment process. I'm always up ballyboley direction but never explored the facility they have there. I'll take care if I ever get brave! Thanks again.

 

[Aaronmcn1]

Hi there, I have inside the place in question and it is indeed and underground reservoir, only looked around for about a minute as alarms were going off and it felt pretty angerous being inside there haha