One of only six in the UK: WWII dome’s £1m rescue begins

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, at the ceremonial sod cutting for the WWII Trainer Dome in Aghanloo, joined by local partners and community representatives. Photo courtesy of Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust.

A once-forgotten relic of the Second World War is moving closer to a new future. Work has officially begun to restore Northern Ireland’s only surviving RAF ‘Trainer Dome’ in Aghanloo village, marking a major milestone in a £1 million conservation project that aims to transform the rare structure into a cutting-edge community heritage facility.

The sod-cutting ceremony on Friday 13th February signalled the start of on-site works at the former RAF Limavady base — a location that played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII.

The dome is one of just six remaining in the UK and is now set to become a centrepiece of defence heritage storytelling in the North-West.

The project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund with support from National Lottery players, Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, forms part of the wider Binevenagh Landscape Partnership.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, at the ceremonial sod cutting for the WWII Trainer Dome in Aghanloo, joined by local partners and community representatives. Photo courtesy of Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage

Its ambition is not only to conserve the scheduled monument but to remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register and bring it back into meaningful public use.

With a target opening date of Autumn 2026, the revitalised Trainer Dome will feature 360-degree projection capability, creating an immersive space to tell the WWI and WWII story of Lough Foyle and the wider North-West.

The project also sits within plans for a developing ‘Atlantic Defence Trail’, which will expand conservation and public access to further coastal defence heritage sites across Northern Ireland.

The sod-cutting marks the culmination of a seven-year programme of engagement with the local community and heritage experts to secure both scheduled monument and planning consent — a lengthy but crucial process in safeguarding the structure’s future.

Work gets underway at the former WWII dome in Aghanloo, Limavady

Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“We are so pleased the see the development of this unique defence heritage project as part of our commitment to the delivery of the Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership.

“The conservation of the Second World War Training Dome is a flagship project which offers both visitors and local people to opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of the landscape.

“We are looking forward to seeing the works progress and the exciting ways that this space will engage people. Thanks to National Lottery players we are able to support the training dome project which will provide a sustainable future for this important monument.”

Welcoming the milestone, Mayor Councillor Oliver McMullan added:

“Council is delighted to see work beginning on the World War II RAF ‘Trainer Dome’ project in Aghanloo.

“The site has played an important role in the island’s history, and this work will not only preserve the building, but also recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by many local people during World War II.

“Future plans for the site, include a multi-purpose community event space, will be beneficial for the entire community and a welcome addition for many generations to come.”

Staff from Devity Contract Services on site

Contractor Devity Contract Services will now begin clearance works before preparing the venue for its transformation. Sean Warnock from Devity outlined what comes next:

“Over the coming months, works will progress to include access improvements, drainage and service installations, alongside the conservation and refurbishment of the Dome structure itself. This will involve specialist structural steelwork, installation of a new tensile fabric covering, and associated internal and external repairs, all carried out in line with the requirements of a scheduled monument.

“We are proud to be delivering this project in close collaboration with the design team and stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on safety, heritage sensitivity and quality, as we help secure the long-term future of this unique structure for the local community”

When complete, the restored dome will stand not just as a preserved wartime structure, but as a living space for education, community events and immersive heritage experiences — reconnecting a new generation with the region’s pivotal role in global conflict.

Project updates will be added to the Binevenagh & Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership Scheme Facebook page.