Hibernian Bank

The Hibernian Bank was founded in April 1825 in response to anti-Catholic discrimination by Bank of Ireland. The bank aimed itself primarily at the Dublin business community. It was taken over by Bank of Ireland in 1958.

1770 – Tholsel, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Architect: George Darley / W.H. Byrne

Used for over one hundred years as a bank branch, the Tholsel is a stern and forbidding building in appearance.

1867 – Former Hibernian Bank, College Green, Dublin

Architect: William G. Murray & Sir Thomas Drew

Originally this Bank opened as the Union Bank in 1867 with only four bays on College Green and two on Church Lane.

1875 – Bank of Ireland, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Architect: Timothy Hevey

The Hibernian Bank aggressively pursued the business of the new Catholic middle classes, and in doing so,

1875 – Bank of Ireland, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan

Architect: O’Neill & Byrne

Formerly the Hibernian Bank – the Bank of Ireland is a good example of the bank’s campaign to attract catholic wealth in the late 19th century.

1886 – Hibernian Bank, Shipquay St., Derry

Architect: Edward J. Toye

Branch redesign for the National Bank, now part of Bank of Ireland. Demolished.

1890s – Former Bank, Russell St., Armagh, Co Armagh

Former Hibernian Bank building typical of many built in Irish towns in the 19th century with a ground floor banking hall with accommodation for the branch manager and his family above.

1902 – Former Bank, Thomas Street, Dublin

Architect: W.H. Byrne

Former branch of the Hibernian Bank, later the Bank of Ireland. The building has fine, tiling,

1909 – Bank of Ireland, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

Architect: J.P. Wren

A wonderfully eccentric design for the Hibernian Bank which mixes a myriad of architectural features. The small tower with corner window and copper dome is the entrance to the manager’s residence above the branch.

1919 – Design for Hibernian Bank, O’Connell Street, Dublin

Architect: W.H. Byrne & Son

Designed by Ralph H. Byrne of W.H. Byrne & Son. Built on the corner of O’Connell Street and Abbey Street to replace a bank building destroyed in the Easter Rising of 1916.

1919 – Former Hibernian Bank, O’Connell Street Lower, Dublin

Architect: Ralph H. Byrne, W.H. Byrne & Son

Built after the previous branch of the Hibernian Bank was destroyed in the fighting during the 1916 Easter Rising.