Wolsey’s Midas touch hailed as his project to transform Belfast’s oldest building joins a forgotten island and a historic windmill as winners at NI’s first heritage ‘Oscars’ night

Individuals and groups dedicated to rescuing buildings and places have been honoured in the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society’s inaugural awards. Ivan Little reports

MIDAS touch businessman Bill Wolsey has won the ex-Factor — a competition recognising people who have breathed new life into old buildings in Northern Ireland.

Bill, the entrepreneur behind a sprawling pub and hotel empire that includes like the Merchant and Bullitt hotels, was honoured by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) last night for transforming one of Belfast’s oldest buildings in the Cathedral Quarter into the Dirty Onion pub and restaurant.

Other winners of the UAHS ‘Oscars’ included people associated with a historic windmill, a forgotten island with a First World War link, and a group who are trying to promote the Belfast Hills. The Heritage Angel awards were handed out at a glittering ceremony at another architectural gem — the Grand Opera House. Twelve projects had been shortlisted across four different categories.

The UAHS says the aim of the awards is to celebrate the unsung heroes of local heritage; individuals, or groups, who have rescued an historic building, or place. A spokesman said: “The Angel Awards are not just about heritage recording, rescue and restoration, but about the people that make heritage projects happen, showcasing what is possible when people take an interest in and get involved with the care and consideration of our heritage.”

Entries came from a range of diverse heritage initiatives across Northern Ireland. The shortlist included private owners, volunteers, community groups, commercial owners, apprentices, craftsmen and young people.

Similar awards are presented every year in England and Scotland, with funding from a foundation set up by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

But this is the first time the competition has been organised in Northern Ireland by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.