Studies in eighteenth-century building history

Abstract

This study examines the constructional patterns of early Irish classical buildings from the end of the seventeenth century until the beginning of the nineteenth century. It also defines the operational patterns of artisans involved in the building process and the characteristics of the main building materials used during this period. The information used in the thesis has been gathered from three separate sources. The first source was archival material, mostly surviving eighteenth-century manuscripts dealing with building activities. These included artisans’ accounts for payment for work on Dublin and provincial buildings, minute books of eighteenth-century institutions and reference to building activities in correspondence from state officials, merchants and estate owners. The second source was published material such as carpenters’ pattern books, measurers’ manuals. Parliamentary records, Irish newspapers of this period and books and journals dealing with eighteenth-century architecture and building construction. The third source was information gathered from direct surveys of the fabric of Irish classical buildings. This was provided through my own architectural work on historic buildings, through inspections of recent restoration programmes undertaken by both the state and private building owners and by surveys of the surviving ruins of historic country houses. The study provides new information on the construction of early classical architecture in Ireland. It discusses the relationship between imported architectural concepts and the constructional systems in use during the classical era. It examines the introduction of new materials and building methods into Ireland and how the performance of building materials influenced design decisions. It describes regional differences in methods and materials used in different areas and it discusses the considerable divergence between Irish and English building practices. The analysis of eighteenth-century building accounts provides a clear picture of the organisational patterns of contractual operations and the relationships between different building trades. It throws a new light on obscure craftsmen who contributed to both the architectural design and the construction of important historic buildings. It also clarifies the role played by these craftsmen in the development of the architectural profession.