George C. Ashlin (1837-1921)

Ashlin was born on 28 May 1837, in a house named “Carrigrenane” in Little Island, Co Cork. He received his early education at the Collège de St Servais, Liège. While at St Mary’s College, Oscott (1851-5), with which Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was strongly associated, he studied drawing and perspective and developed an interest in architecture. Between 1856 and 1860 he was articled to E.W. Pugin and in 1858 he entered the Royal Academy Schools, London.

When E.W. Pugin received the commission for SS Peter and Paul, Cork, in 1859, he made Ashlin a partner with responsibility for their Irish work until late 1868. He married Pugin’s sister Mary Pugin in 1867. In 1861 he opened their office called Pugin & Ashlin at 90 St. Stephen’s Green. Their practice was primarily ecclesiastical.

They worked on some 25 religious buildings including the Augustinian church of SS Augustine and John, Thomas Street, Dublin which was commissioned in 1860 and opened in 1874. It is in a style inspired by French architecture and is one of their most successful designs. By far the most important commission undertaken in Ireland by Pugin and Ashlin was the building of Cobh Cathedral (1869-1919). The partnership broke up in 1870 and Ashlin practised on his own.

1827 – Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church, Aungier Street, Dublin

Architect: George Papworth, J.J. McCarthy, George C. Ashlin, John J.

1829 – SS. Patrick & Colman’s Cathedral, Newry, Co. Down

Architect: Thomas Duff / G.C. Ashlin

Originally built between 1824-29 to designs by Newry native Thomas Duff.

1845 – St Patrick’s Church, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny

Architect: William Deane Butler / George C. Ashlin

The architect of Ballyragget Church,

1846 – St Audoen’s Church, High Street, Dublin

Architect: Patrick Byrne, G.C. Ashlin

Sited beside the much older and similarly named Church of Ireland,

1848 – Dominican Friary, Sligo, Co. Sligo

Architect: John Benson / G.C. Ashlin

Church constructed between 1845-48 replacing an earlier church of 1763.

1850 – St Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, Co. Dublin

Architect: James Bolger

An austere Gothic revival church with a fine spire and entrance doorway.

1856 – St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford

Architect: John B. Keane, John Bourke, George C. Ashlin

Originally designed by J.B.

1860 – St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh

Architects: Thomas Duff / J.J. McCarthy / G.C. Ashlin / Liam McCormick

The second of the cathedrals of Armagh,

1864 – Church of the Assumption, Our Lady’s Island, Co. Wexford

Architect: Pugin & Ashlin

Fine church with tower and spire.

1867 – Convent of Mercy Chapel, Skibbereen, Co. Cork