Berkeley Deane Wise (1855-1909)

Berkeley Deane Wise was an Irish civil engineer who made a significant impact on the development of railways and tourism, particularly in Northern Ireland. The pinnacle of Wise’s civil engineering career was his 18 years as Chief Engineer to the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway. He was appointed to this position in 1888 at a salary of £400, and held it until 1906 when his health failed.

Wise gave the BNCR a distinctive architectural style of red brick buildings with large overhanging awnings and half-timbered gables. It owed much to the style of architect Norman Shaw. Two wooden kiosks, designed by Wise, one from Portrush and one from Belfast York Road in a Swiss style, are preserved in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra.

1905 – Laharna Hotel, Larne, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

Existing hotel acquired by the Midland Railway Northern Counties Committee, which was the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway until 1903.

1863 – Railway Station, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim

Whiteabbey was the first major stop outside Belfast with the main station building on the up line constructed around 1863 with a canopy added fifty years later.

1904 – Railway Station, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

Unusual station layout with main building lower than the line and platforms. The last major work of Berkeley Deane Wise who retired in 1906 due to ill-health.

1904 – Signal Cabin, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

A fine example of Wise’s work for the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway is this signal cabin on the island platform at Ballymena railway station.

1902 – Railway Station, Antrim, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

1895 – Railway Station, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

Mock Tudor station, constructed to replace the station of 1862 that was destroyed by fire,

1896 – Railway Station, Trooperslane, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

Constructed in 1896 to replace an earlier 1840s building, Wise’s design for the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway was a highly picturesque station in brick and timber.

1898 – Midland Hotel, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

Built in Belfast as part of the York Road station reconstruction with the intention of capturing trade from long distance travellers as it was convenient to the cross-channel steamer berths.

1848 – York Road Station, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Architect: Charles Lanyon / Berkeley Deane Wise

Built by the Belfast & Ballymena Railway to a design by Sir Charles Lanyon,

1902 – The Tubular & Suspension Bridges, The Gobbins, Co. Antrim

Architect: Berkeley Deane Wise

Designed by railway architect Berkeley Deane Wise as a tourist attraction for his employers the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway Company.

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