St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Ringsend

You might try Ashlin Coleman Healin, who were responsible for many churches in Dublin of this type and vintage. They also had a link to Pugin I believe and the interiors show some influence of Pugin.

J.F. Fuller (1835-1924)

@shadow wrote:

You might try Ashlin Coleman Healin, who were responsible for many churches in Dublin of this type and vintage. They also had a link to Pugin I believe and the interiors show some influence of Pugin.

Spire too. Looks like the one in St Patrick’s Seminary.

I am sorry Fergalr, but the archiseek data bank gives Fuller as the architect for RIngsend.

@Praxiteles wrote:

I am sorry Fergalr, but the archiseek data bank gives Fuller as the architect for RIngsend.

The links are:
http://www.irish-architecture.com/buildings_ireland/dublin/ringsend_irishtown/
http://www.irish-architecture.com/buildings_ireland/dublin/ringsend_irishtown/st_patricks.html

Bit I am not sure if Fuller is responsible for all the structures listed :confused:

Interesting that it should be Fuller; he was the District Architect 1862-1870 for the Irish Ecclesiastical Commissioners. When Gladstone disestablished the Church the IEC officials were offered a lump sum and Fuller used this and an overdraft from the National Bank to set up on his own. His first job was Annamore House in Co. Sligo and quickly followed that by Mount Falcon, for the Knox family. Then the Church Representative Body was formed and he got the old work back as a private practitioner. He built quite a few churches in the 40 years he was associated with the CRB, and was very ecumenical in his demeanour (and work.) Arthurstown, Co. Wexford; Rattoo, Co. Kerry; Killadease, Co. Fermanagh; Donoughpatrick, Durrow, Syddan, Lynally – all 4 in the diocese of Meath; Clane, Co. Kildare; Rathdare, Co. Laois; and the Memorial Church at Kylemore. He used Dalkey granite on the latter, sending it by ship to Letterfrack. When building Kylemore it took him a day to travel Dublin – Westport, a day to Leenane, a day to supervise. He managed to get to Westport by nightfall on the 4th day, usually just in time to get the “night mail” back to Dublin. He also was official architect to the Benchers of the King’s Inns. Remarkable man, given his output and the fact that he was a full-time genealogist and part-time architect!

KB2

Also completed the rebuilding of St. Bridget’s, Kildare. Also worked on Iveagh House, Farmleigh,Glencairn, Ashford Castle, Parknasilla, anglican churches in Ballybunion, Killarney, Durrow Mullingar.

Fuller does not mention any church in Ringsend in his autobiography (Omniana) , but then he mentions very little about architecture, only a couple of pages in total and some oblique references when telling anecdotes.

Some quotes:
“It would be impossible for me to say how many old churches I have had to deal with in the adding of chancels, transepts, side aisles, etc., removals of plaster ceilings, loose boxes, and three-decker pulpits.”

“I had on hand at one time or another, besides the buildings mentioned above[listed in my earlier posting – KB2], Ashford Castle, Cong, for the late Lord Ardilaun (the bridge is not my work); also his mansion at St. Ann’s, Clontarf, Ballyburley, the residence of Judge Wakeley; Coolavin, the residence of The MacDermott; Tinnakilly House, near Wicklow, for the late Captain Halpin; rebuilding of Barronstown, near Mullingar for the late Col. Malone, after which it was burned and rebuilt a second time, on a smaller scale by the present Colonel Malone from my plans. I also restored Harristown House (after a fire) for the late Mr. La Touche; and, as might be expected, I left my mark in my own county, at Ballyseedy, for Mr. Blennerhasset; at Cahernane, Killarney, for Mr. Herbert; at Dunkerron and Drumquinna, for Sir John Colomb; at Dereen, for Lord Lansdowne; and at the new hotels of Kenmare and Parknasilla.”
Also mentioned are “…rebuilding Burnham, near Dingle, for Lord Ventry.”
“…work on Lord Fitzgibbon’s Residence on the Hill of Howth”
“The third Lord Leitrim was a client of mine….”
Other works of which I am aware include 2 houses on St. Stephen’s Green and its gate lodge; parts of the County Home in Killarney; work on his mother’s family home Derriquin Castle (burned in ’22, pulled down by CIE in the ’60’s and being built on – holiday apartments – should ABP give a green light) and other houses on their estate – Drimina, Reenafurra, etc.
Farmleigh, for which he is probably best known, never gets a mention, but he does say some rather negative things about a client most probably Lord Iveagh. “We rubbed along for three or four years, till the friction became too acute, and then we drifted apart.”
KB2