Architecture of Ireland
By Erin Price
Ireland offers a vast amount of architecture including castles, churches, homes, and cottages. Point Park University's Irish Media class was able to see and experience this while it toured the country from May 8 to May 21. These locations included Dublin, Belfast, Cobh, Cork, Killarney, and Limerick.
For descriptions, open the slideshow in fullscreen and click "show info," or view the set.
Photo 1: Dublin
Dublin is the capital of Ireland and the largest city in the country. River Liffey flows at the heart of the city, and bridges across the river are unique in shape and color. On either side of the river are miles of shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The architecture of these buildings comes from the Georgian and Victorian periods. This is especially due to architect James Gandon who came to Ireland and designed many landmark buildings. The red brick Georgian homes have been preserved and are still used today.
Photo 2: Fusilier's Arch
At the intersection of Grafton Street and St. Stephen's Green in Dublin, there is a triumphal arch. Fusilier's Arch, built in 1907, honors the 212 Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1900. The arch is 12 feet wide and 32 feet 6 inches high. It was built from grey granite, and the Latin inscriptions were created from limestone. There are two inscriptions, and the first says, “In memory of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who fell in the service of the country in the South African War 1899-1900 A.D.” The second one says, “To her own soldiers, the bravest of the brave, this monument Dublin hath dedicated in the year 1907.”
Photo 3: St. Stephen's Green Shopping Center
St. Stephen's Green Shopping Center in Dublin has floors of shops and stands out on the corner of Grafton Street. After three years of construction, it opened in 1988 and eventually expanded to over 100 shops. It was the first modern shopping mall in Ireland, and the building was styled like a Victorian greenhouse. Up the street is the park St. Stephen's Green.
Photo 4: Merrion Square
Ivy covers a row of Georgian buildings in Merrion Square, Dublin. The construction of Merrion Square began in 1782 and served as a gathering area for the town. It is one of the only surviving squares. The other squares in Dublin are Fitzwilliam Square, Mountjoy Square, and Parnell Square.
Photo 5: Temple Bar
Temple Bar in Dublin preserves medieval cobblestone streets and features media-related businesses, nightclubs, restaurants, and bars. Many buildings are brightly painted and decorative, such as The Oliver St. John Gogarty Bar with hanging flags from around the world.
Photo 6: The Spire of Dublin
The Spire of Dublin on O'Connell Street is a tall, stainless steel monument designed by Ian Ritchie Architects. The reason why this spike-like monument was built is because O'Connell Street was losing its popularity in the 1970s. Some believe this was due to the unattractiveness of fast-food restaurants and bargain shops on this street. It was up in 2003 and attracts many tourists. This is especially because the metal changes colors due to reflection, and it lights up at night.
Photo 7: Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin dates back to 1038. The gothic-styled church decayed and had parts rebuilt during the Victorian era. Inside is the largest cathedral crypt in Ireland, and it was constructed in 1172. Also displayed is a mummified cat and mouse that stays preserved by the dry air in the cathedral.
Photos 8 and 9: Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle was built in 1230 with tall defensive walls and served as a place of British rule until 1922. The wooden parts of the building were replaced with stone during the Middle Ages. A fire destroyed the entire castle except a tower, although it was rebuilt. Today it is a tourist attraction and conference center for Ireland.
Photo 10: St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin is a gothic piece of architecture, place of worship, and tourist attraction. There is an ancient Celtic stone that marks the well where it is said St. Patrick baptized people. The church was built next to this and replaced the Celtic church with a stone one in 1191. In 1225, the cathedral was redesigned and still looks the same today. The cathedral was abused by Oliver Cromwell, who stabled his horses inside, and it almost collapsed. However, in 1860, Benjamin Lee Guinness paid for the cathedral's restoration.
Photo 11: Stormont Parliament Buildings
The Northern Ireland Assembly is in the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which was built in 1922. Architect Sir Arnold Thornley designed the classical building with Portland stone. The government in Northern Ireland wanted to build a structure similar to the US Capitol Building, but the Stock Market Crash of 1929 stopped these plans.
Photo 12: Belfast Castle
The Belfast Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was built in the 12th century with sandstone and overlooks the city on the slops of Cave Hill. However, the castle burned and was rebuilt in 1862. In the 1970s, it was used for wedding receptions and dances. Today, it remains as a tourist attraction with a shop, restaurant, visitors center, and cat garden. In this garden, there are nine cats as a mark of good fortune.
Photo 13: Glendalough
Glendalough in Wicklow, Ireland is known for the medieval settlement founded by priest St. Kevin. It was destroyed in 1398 by English troops, but some of it still remains. The Round Tower is built of mica-slate and granite and served as a place of refuge during attacks. These towers are all over the island of Ireland. The graveyard at Glendalough was a place of resurrection, and a few specific rocks were used to mark those who died during the potato famine.
Photo 14: Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle dates back to 1200 and now serves as a tourist attraction. It was a wooden structure and eventually was replaced with stone. After climbing narrow spiral stairs to the top, there is a view of greenery and a line to kiss the Blarney Stone. A man helps each person bend over and make the reach to the lucky stone. It is said to be lucky because it is where Irish kings were crowned. After having this memorable moment, there is the Blarney Woollen Mills for souvenir shopping and wool clothes.
Photo 15: The Kerry Bog Village Museum
The Kerry Bog Village Museum in Kerry, Ireland, is a tourist attraction that displays what life was like in this village from the 1800s. In the village, there is a blacksmith's forge, stable, dairy house, turf cutters house, hen house, laborer's cottage, and thatcher's dwelling.
Photos 16 - 18: Cobh
The town of Cobh in Cork, Ireland has pastel-colored buildings, a port, and St. Colman’s Cathedral. It is known as the place where the Titanic sailed off in 1912. The pastel-colored buildings are a mix of Victorian and Flemish styles and have a Mediterranean feel. Victorian terraces are at the top of the hill with a view of the town and sea. St. Colman's Cathedral is a neo-gothic Roman Catholic church that was completed in 1915.
Photos 19 - 21: Killarney
Killarney is a town in Kerry, Ireland. There are pastel-colored buildings, restaurants, and shops. Also, there is a national park with a view of the mountains, lakes, and greenery. Muckross House is located in the park and was designed by architect William Burn in 1843. It was a Tudor-styled mansion built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife with 65 rooms. In the center of the town is St. Mary's Church of Ireland. It was built gothic style in 1870.
Photo 22: Adare
Adare is a village in Limerick, Ireland that has been preserved since its houses and other buildings were constructed in the 19th century. The English thatched cottages are now used as stores and restaurants, but at one time, they were homes.
Photo 23: O'Brien's Tower
O'Brien's Tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O'Brien at the Cliffs of Moher in Clare, Ireland. He believed in tourism and how it could benefit the economy. Therefore, it was and still is used as an observation tower for tourists.
Photo 24: The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher in Clare, Ireland, is one of the most-known views in the country. Near the cliffs are shops built into the hill.
Photo 25: Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle in Clare, Ireland dates back to 1270 as a defensive fortress. It was a stronghold of the O'Briens during the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was restored in the 1960's. Today it is a tourist attraction with medieval dinners and Irish music.