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Heritage: Architectural Obscurities

  • 12-10-2010 3:10am
    #1
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,011 ✭✭✭✭


    I posted this in the architecture forum, hope the mods don't mind the cross post as posters here are unlikely to see it over there.

    What, in your opinion, are some example of irelands best obscure architecture. Buildings or structures either well know like the Casino at Marino, unknown like the wonderful barn or just down right bizarre.
    Period or date doesn't matter, it could be a 200 year old stone building, a modrn house on a hill, or even a single room in a geogian house.

    Where are our obscure buildings that are unknown, neglected or both?

    kd_searchoption.jpg
    The Wonderful Barn - Castletown

    casino_marino.jpg
    The Casino - Marino


Comments

  • #2
    Tabnabs
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 15,690 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tabnabs


    I wouldn't have thought the Casino was considered obscure architecture? I've never seen it in the flesh, but know the building well from photographs.

    I've always liked the Sunlight Chambers building in Dublin. Not appreciated in its day, but something out of the ordinary and my vote for an 'Architectural Obscurity'.

    sunlight_chambers2_lge.jpg

    sunlight_chambers_detail3_lge.jpg


  • #3
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,011 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    Dyflin wrote: »
    I wouldn't have thought the Casino was considered obscure architecture? I've never seen it in the flesh, but know the building well from photographs.
    Why/Why not?



    You are right that in terms of style it is quite normal, a prime example, and one of the most important at that, of Neo-classical architecture.

    however, the very idea of a Casino is a little obscure. Plus the fact that the the building is a bit of an illusion, appears to be a single large room. Quite surprising to learn that it contains 16 rooms over 3 floors. The fact that the single windows on each facade serve multiple rooms, and that some of the columns are hollow and with a chain serve as rain water pipes, even the underground tunnel to the main house make this a unique and obscure little gem in my book.


  • #4
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    If you are going to mention the wonderful barn, then Connolly's Folly should get a mention

    320820-connollys-folly.jpeg

    and i guess another piece of 18th centruy famine relief work, the Obelisk on Killiney hill

    ehp28.jpg


  • #5
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,011 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    I thought about mentioning the folly, which is also know as the obelisk too btw, but aid i'd leave it for someone else. The barn normally throws up the folly and the bottletower


  • #6
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Mellor wrote: »
    I thought about mentioning the folly, which is also know as the obelisk too btw, but aid i'd leave it for someone else. The barn normally throws up the folly and the bottletower

    Just checking we are paying attention, right? :D


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  • #7
    MarchDub
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭MarchDub


    Mellor wrote: »
    Why/Why not?



    You are right that in terms of style it is quite normal, a prime example, and one of the most important at that, of Neo-classical architecture.

    however, the very idea of a Casino is a little obscure. Plus the fact that the the building is a bit of an illusion, appears to be a single large room. Quite surprising to learn that it contains 16 rooms over 3 floors. The fact that the single windows on each facade serve multiple rooms, and that some of the columns are hollow and with a chain serve as rain water pipes, even the underground tunnel to the main house make this a unique and obscure little gem in my book.

    I used to pass the Merino Casino every day on my way to school - then one day a tourist asked me where it was and when I took him to it he pointed out to me its significance and perfect classical style. So after that I gained a lot of respect for it and looked into its provenance.

    It is considered to be one of the most perfect neo classical buildings in Europe according to Desmond Guinness. It was designed by William Chambers and written up in his Treatise on Civil Architecture in 1759 so its fame spread throughout Europe.

    The word Casino comes originally from the Italian meaning a little house. It has nothing to do with the modern meaning of a gambling house.


  • #8
    Mellor
    Registered Users Posts: 39,011 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    MarchDub wrote: »
    I used to pass the Merino Casino every day on my way to school - then one day a tourist asked me where it was and when I took him to it he pointed out to me its significance and perfect classical style. So after that I gained a lot of respect for it and looked into its provenance.

    It is considered to be one of the most perfect neo classical buildings in Europe according to Desmond Guinness. It was designed by William Chambers and written up in his Treatise on Civil Architecture in 1759 so its fame spread throughout Europe.

    The word Casino comes originally from the Italian meaning a little house. It has nothing to do with the modern meaning of a gambling house.
    I know, when i mentioned a "casino being obscure in ireland" I was refering to the originally meaning, a little hosue in the grounds of a bigger one (not including groundkeeper, servents quarters etc).
    Casa = House
    +ino = Little

    Even, the name Marino came from Italy.

    you are spot on regarding it being the perfect example of Neo-classical architecture, which is fitting for this thread, given its scale, location and what it would of been compared to.

    While very proud of his design, the architect never actually seen the building.


  • #9
    MarchDub
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,731 ✭✭✭MarchDub


    Mellor wrote: »

    Even, the name Marino came from Italy.

    Yes, apparently the area was closer to the sea at the time, hence the name given to the demesne as 'Marino' = close to sea or overlooking the sea. Later Fairview Park and that area was built over the sea bed as reclaimed land thus pushing the area further back from the sea.

    I seem to also remember that even before the park was built there was some controversy about building Marino Terrace - that it purposely? blocked the sea views from the Marino demesne. I looked in Maurice Craig but can't find the reference to this there. Do you know that story?


  • #10
    Denerick
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,488 ✭✭✭Denerick


    This temple was built by a bishop in the 19th century in Downhill Strand, Co. Derry. It overlooks Lough Foyle. You can see it well from Greencastle in Inishowen across the water.

    107.jpg

    There is also that curious tower in Co. Meath

    toweroflloyd.jpg

    Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Co. Monaghan. Were Paul Mc Cartney got married

    castle_leslie_lge.jpg


  • #11
    il gatto
    Registered Users Posts: 3,021 ✭✭✭il gatto


    The Pyramid in the Neale, Co. Mayo. Built as a memorial or folly.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthann/438974594/

    Costello Chapel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
    http://www.iol.ie/~gartlan/costch.htm

    The Fairy Bridge, Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
    http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=images&county=RO&regno=31906007


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