Was there ever a Celtic Revival in Irish Architecture?
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From the late 19th century and especially in the decades following Irish independence, nearly every aspect of Irish arts was touched by a Celtic revival, which held an almost mythical view of an early Christian Ireland, and utilised its symbolism and legends.
This can be clearly seen in poetry, literature, theatre, painting and design. Yet I have never seen it in any Irish architecture of those days. Was architecture affected by the Celtic revival at all? If not, how come?The Honan Chapel is said to have had celtic art influences.
St Mark’s COI Church at Borris-in-Ossory, Co.Tipp. has an interesting ‘Round Tower’ inspired semi-detached steeple and Hiberno-Romanesque door surrounds.
To my shame I have passed it scores of times and, despite resolving to check it out ‘next time’ many times, never once stopped to have a closer look and see if there are any date plaques.
I think that there were a lot of proposals (thankfully few realised) to have round tower inspired designs for just about every building type imaginable from the Celtic Revival days through to Independance and a bit beyond.
Isn’t there a classic cartoon from the thirties lampooning all of this – showing round tower dwellings?County Correction:
Borris is in Co. Laois – Sorry!
The facade of Raheny Church [1962 wirh it’s own brief archiseek thread and Shane O’Toole citation] is supposed to be based on the door of Clonfert Cathedral.
I’m abit miffed as to why I’ve had to post this twice…
There was a celtic tiger but no celtic revival a eco-nominic crash/asignwave…
jee just twenty is 2 of 40 what is nex doos? the other twenty agreed nothing… : )
what if hinter invaded…
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0628/1224273464332.html
@missarchi wrote:
I’m abit miffed as to why I’ve had to post this twice…
There was a celtic tiger but no celtic revival a eco-nominic crash/asignwave…
jee just twenty is 2 of 40 what is nex doos? the other twenty agreed nothing… : )
what if hinter invaded…
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0628/1224273464332.html
My Goodness missarchi. . no one could ever accuse you of going off topic.:rolleyes:
@Blisterman wrote:
Was architecture affected by the Celtic revival at all? If not, how come?
Maybe not as much in Ireland as it could or should have been but Louis Sullivan often used Celtic Revival decorations as decorative elements on his buildings as his kind of signature & as a nod to his Irish heritage.
Do not forget the Daddy of them all:
Biggest Celtic Revival inspired architectural work may be Daniel O’Connell’s tomb in Glasnevin – has the round tower above and an impressive array of ‘Celtic’ decorative work to the vault areas below.
Well worth a visit.
Decor is mostly colourful (for a crypt anyway!) strapwork with animal motifs as per Book of Kells illumination – although this style was hardly as exclusivly Irish or even Celtic as some of the earlier Celto-Heads might have thought – all very much of its time and doubtless inspired by genuine desires to add local flavour (although for many this equated to national zeal!) to the general run of Medievalism/Art and Craft inspired movements established in Britian and the continent at the time.The tower usually came complete with harp, shamrock, wolfhound and a weepy Cathlin Ni Houlahan bemoaning her downtrodden lot in the graphics of the time.
I often thought what an interesting decorative fusion Art Deco and Celtic would have made -we can get glimpses of what might have been in Harry Clarke’s work – probably in Sullivans motifs as well.
Might have been a bit overpowering in whole buildings!
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