1680 – Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin
Architect: Sir William Robinson
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is a mile and a half west of the city centre and at the time of its construction the site was part of the Phoenix Park.
Sir William Robinson (1645-1712)
William Robinson (1645-1712) was the Surveyor General since 1670 when his appointment was made under the Viceroy Lord Berkeley. No evidence of Robinson exists before 1670 and it has been suggested that he came from England in succession to the previous Viceroy Lord Ormond’s architect Captain John Morton who died in 1669. His complete output runs to 19 items and several more attributed to him including the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Marshe’s Library, St Mary’s Church, and some work at Dublin Castle.
His work at Dublin Castle formed the basis for the later redevelopment of the Upper and Lower Yards. He was the Surveyor General until 1700 and he shared the post from 1684 with William Molyneaux until his resignation on grounds of ill-health in 1700. He was imprisoned briefly in 1703 because of a financial scandal and finally left Ireland for good in 1709. He died in England in 1712.
1686 – St Michan’s Church of Ireland, Church Street, Dublin
Architect: Sir William Robinson
This structure dates from 1685-86 and was built on the site of an earlier structure founded by the Danes in 1095.
1699 – West Front, Trinity College Dublin
Illustration of the original west front of Trinity College, as illustrated in Charles Brookings map of 1728. Demolished in the 1750s.
1700 – Platten Hall, Co. Meath
Architect: Sir William Robinson
Construction started circa 1700 for Alderman John Graham. According to Maurice Craig, possibly designed by Sir William Robinson.
1701 – Marsh’s Library, St Patrick’s Close, Dublin
Architect: Sir William Robinson
Designed by Sir William Robinson who was also the architect of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and the Surveyor General from 1670-1700,
1702 – St Mary’s Church, Mary Street, Dublin
Architect: Sir William Robinson
Outwardly the exterior of St Mary’s is relatively unexciting with the round headed windows that Robinson also used at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham the most dominant feature.
1720 – Upper Yard, Dublin Castle
In the eighteenth century as the Georgian streetscape of Dublin was being developed, the castle was redeveloped also. A young architect believed to be Sir Edward Lovett Pearce redesigned the upper yard using the basic design inherited from Sir William Robinson.
1837 – Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first building here, a wooden tower in the 12th century.
