1774 – Clifton House, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Built in 1774 by Belfast Charitable Society, the building was used until the late 1880’s as Belfast’s Poor House. Although the Dublin architect Thomas Cooley was consulted on the design for Belfast’s poorhouse in 1774, and drawings were prepared by the London architect Robert Mylne, the plans for the actual building were drawn up by the local newspaper publisher and prominent Belfast citizen, Robert Joy. Joy’s design replaced Mylne’s proposed dome and lantern with an octagonal stone tower and spire, rising from the centre of a brick building that mimics the form of a Palladian country house.

Photo from Panoramio by Napalm&Stace