Best Rescue of an Historic Building or Place - Under £1million

Billy McNeilly has been nominated as a Heritage Angel by his grandson, Wills McNeilly, in recognition of his lifetime of restoration work. Greenwood Cottage was purchased by Wills in a state of extreme disrepair, and worked with his grandfather to fully restore it. Modern amendments were removed, and Billy, Wills and a host of local craftspeople worked to ensure this 18thC cottage was completely restored. Billy was the Clerk of Works for the National Trust at a time of many restorations, such as Mount Stewart, Castle Ward and the rescue of Patterson’s Spade Mill. Sadly, Billy passed away in November before the work was completed, therefore Greenwood Cottage is both a perfectly restored traditional cottage, but also a testament to the legacy of one of Northern Ireland’s great heritage professionals.