Decisions, decisions…

Following the Act of Union of 1800, a major architectural competition for the redesign of the former Parliament House on College Green was announced by Bank of Ireland in August 1802. Over forty design proposals from leading architects in Ireland and overseas were submitted. In spite of Henry Aaron Baker being the eventual winner, the bank decided that no one design quite met the needs of the institution. Ireland’s then leading architect, Francis Johnston, was subsequently commissioned by the bank to blend the spirit of the favoured proposals into a cohesive, singular design.

His final proposal ingeniously facilitated the requirements of the bank while respecting the integrity of Edward Lovett Pearce’s masterpiece, then almost a century old. The building as presented today is the fruit of his efforts, with few changes made to Pearce’s design beyond some modified windows and minimal additional statuary on the central portico.

Johnston masterfully harmonised the previous lop-sided arrangement of James Gandon’s screen wall to the east and Robert Parke’s colonnade to the west with the famous screen walls adorned with engaged Ionic columns that are such a feature of the building today.

Inspect the selected proposals below and see if you might have been persuaded by a more ‘rigorous’ design intervention….

Existing building in 1802

Plan by unidentified ‘GXW’ for monumental screen wall, obliterating Pearce’s forecourt

Plan by Joseph Henry Good for matching screen walls, modified pediments and statuary

Plan by Richard Morrison for aggrandised pavilions, screen walls and extensive statuary

Further plan by Richard Morrison showing a variation on the above

Winning proposal by Henry Aaron Baker, preserving Pearce’s original design and reinstating the original lofty dome. The main facade was to be extended to the east and west along College Green.

Dublin Ironwork – Balconies

Enhance your walk around Dublin’s 18th-century squares and streets by glancing upwards and engaging with the spectacular ironwork displayed in the variety of balconies to be found on the first floor (piano nobile) of Georgian houses. Balconies were usually a later addition to the facades of these buildings, popularised by window openings being dropped to the drawing room floor level in line with new fashion.

The two forms of iron used for decorative purposes were wrought and cast iron. Wrought iron is often characterised by sinuous curling shapes which were modelled by hand-beating, while cast iron elements were made by pouring molten iron into sand moulds imprinted with a pattern.

Although the colour black is the most popular colour for ironwork today, this was not always the case. A variety of different colours was used in the 18th and 19th centuries, with various shades of green being the most popular choice.

For further information on the care, restoration and maintenance of ironwork please refer to Irish Period Houses, A Conservation Guidance Manual, priced €45.00

Alternatively, you can purchase the book directly from Dublin Civic Trust at 18 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7 (please telephone before collection on 01 874 9681)

Irish Period Houses – A Conservation Guidance Manual

NOW AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE

For anyone who owns, manages or occupies a traditional building in Ireland, or who is thinking of taking on a building conservation project, this is the must-have, definitive reference guide to the subject.

Buy online now

Price: €45

Irish Period Houses – Priced €45

Irish Period Houses is a complete revision of the previous edition of the book Period Houses, printed in 2001, which was a pioneering manual for best practice repair and maintenance of period houses in Dublin. The new edition, undertaken by the same author, building conservation accredited surveyor Frank Keohane, greatly widens the scope of the manual with a comprehensive array of new topics now covering all of Ireland.

Period houses comprise a distinctive part of Ireland’s architectural heritage. They require a careful approach to repair and maintenance to ensure that their unique character is preserved. Irish Period Houses provides invaluable information for the homeowner and building professional into the design of traditional houses, their construction materials and decorative elements, and expert guidance on how they can be repaired and enhanced with best conservation practice. It is the definitive reference guide for custodians of most period buildings in Ireland and for anyone considering taking on a building conservation project.

Wrought iron boundary railings

Stair balustrade, Dublin

Corinthian capital, Saloon of Provost’s House, Dublin

The book is arranged into 25 easily navigated chapters, with subjects ranging from traditional walls and roofs, windows, internal joinery, damp, timber decay, decorative finishes and energy efficiency. A unique feature is the array of specifications from historic builder’s manuals and architect’s instructions which provide an invaluable insight into how Ireland’s buildings were originally assembled.

Over 1000 colour illustrations and diagrams provide useful instruction on typical features and materials used in Irish traditional buildings, problems commonly encountered, and best practice solutions for their conservation, repair and replacement where necessary. Unlike other guidance books that specialise in specific areas of construction or conservation, Irish Period Houses provides an invaluable, holistic approach for the owner/occupier or building professional – ensuring that the right works are carried out at the right time, and that all factors are considered when undertaking repair or refurbishment works.

Irish Period Houses – A Conservation Guidance Manual is available to buy directly from Dublin Civic Trust through its online store priced €45 (€54.00 with package and postage).

Bookshop sellers include:

Eason nationwide

Hodges Figgis, Dawson Street, Dublin 2

Chapters, Parnell Street, Dublin 1

Irish Georgian Society, City Assembly House, South William Street, Dublin 2

National Gallery of Ireland shop, Clare Street, Dublin 2

RIAI Bookshop, Dublin 2

Books Upstairs, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2

Dubray Books, all outlets

Hanna’s Bookshop, Rathmines

Irish Period Houses

A CONSERVATION GUIDANCE MANUAL

For anyone who owns, manages or occupies a traditional building in Ireland, or who is thinking of taking on a building conservation project, this is the must-have, definitive reference guide to the subject.

Buy online now

Price: €45

Irish Period Houses is a complete revision of the previous edition of the book Period Houses, printed in 2001, which was a pioneering manual for best practice repair and maintenance of period houses in Dublin. The new edition, undertaken by the same author, building conservation accredited surveyor Frank Keohane, greatly widens the scope of the manual with a comprehensive array of new topics now covering all of Ireland.

Period houses comprise a distinctive part of Ireland’s architectural heritage. They require a careful approach to repair and maintenance to ensure that their unique character is preserved.Irish Period Houses provides invaluable information for the homeowner and building professional into the design of traditional houses, their construction materials and decorative elements, and expert guidance on how they can be repaired and enhanced with best conservation practice. It is the definitive reference guide for custodians of most period buildings in Ireland and for anyone considering taking on a building conservation project.

Wrought iron boundary railings

Stair balustrade, Dublin

Corinthian capital, Saloon of Provost’s House, Dublin

The book is arranged into 25 easily navigated chapters, with subjects ranging from traditional walls and roofs, windows, internal joinery, damp, timber decay, decorative finishes and energy efficiency. A unique feature is the array of specifications from historic builder’s manuals and architect’s instructions which provide an invaluable insight into how Ireland’s buildings were originally assembled.

Over 1000 colour illustrations and diagrams provide useful instruction on typical features and materials used in Irish traditional buildings, problems commonly encountered, and best practice solutions for their conservation, repair and replacement where necessary. Unlike other guidance books that specialise in specific areas of construction or conservation, Irish Period Houses provides an invaluable, holistic approach for the owner/occupier or building professional – ensuring that the right works are carried out at the right time, and that all factors are considered when undertaking repair or refurbishment works.

Irish Period Houses – A Conservation Guidance Manual is available to buy directly from Dublin Civic Trust through its online store priced €45 (€54.00 with package and postage).