Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect, of Newry. Thomas Duff was born in 1792.(1) He may have received his early training at the Dublin Society's School of Drawing in Architecture, but if he is the 'Thomas Duffe', who won a prize there on 4 April 1805,(2) he must have been only thirteen or fourteen when he attended the school. The hypothesis that he might have trained in London has been advanced by Dixon, partly on the grounds that he repeatedly subscribed to pattern books, 'about the publication of which he could scarcely have known without being a regular visitor to London, or at least in close correspondence with members of London's architectural circles'.(3) Duff appears to have established himself as an architect in Newry by 1813, when he took over the supervision of St Mary's Protestant church from PATRICK O'FARRELL. PATRICK O'FARRELL. (4) By the end of 1822, when he placed an advertisement in the Belfast Newsletter he had opened a second office in College Square, Belfast;(5) he is listed in Pigot & Co.'s City of Dublin and Hibernian Provincial Directory (1824) with addresses both in Castle Street, Newry, and in South College Square, Belfast. In 1829 he brought in THOMAS JACKSON  THOMAS JACKSON to run the Belfast office and soon afterwards made him his partner.(6) The partnership was dissolved in 1835,(7) when Jackson established his own practice in Belfast, at which point Duff appears to have closed his Belfast office. Not long afterwards the travel writer Caesar Otway met Duff in Cambridge, where he was making drawings of King's College chapel with a view to building the future St Patrick's Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Dundalk along similar lines.(8)   An anonymous article on 'Church building in Ireland' which appeared in the Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal for 6 January 1844, praises Duff for his choice of Gothic architecture for his Catholic cathedrals at Newry, Armagh and Dundalk, rather than the classical architecture which was the usual choice for the Catholic churches in Dublin which were being erected in the same period.(9)

Although Duff's professional career was a successful one, the end of his life was overshadowed by personal sorrow. He died in the early hours of 10 May 1848 as the result of a stroke which seems to have been brought on by the death of his daughter Ann three days previously. He had already been deeply affected by the death of his only surviving son, Robert, the previous year.(10) He was buried on 12 May in St Mary's burial ground attached to the old Catholic chapel in Chapel Street, Newry.(11) His wife, Jane,(12) and three young daughters survived him. Three months after his death his eldest daughter, Mary Catherine, married the Rev. Thomas Butler, DD, of Newry, at St Mary's Church, Manchester.(13)  Nothing is known of Duff's associates and assistants apart from Jackson, but it is possible that his son Robert worked with him. WILLIAM JOSEPH BARRE  WILLIAM JOSEPH BARRE became a pupil the year before Duff's death.(14)

Duff was a subscriber to William Cavaler's Specimens of Gothic Architecture (London, 1835; 2nd edition, 1839).

Addresses: Newry: Castle Street, 1824;(15) Downshire Road, <=1846-1848.(16)
Belfast: College Square, Belfast, 1822; College Square South, 1824; 5 Castle(?) Square, Belfast, 1826.(17)

See WORKS and BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY . See also DUFF & JACKSON  JACKSON and ROBERT DUFF. ROBERT DUFF.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 58-63. See also the entry by Daniel Beaumont in DIB. All references from the Crossle papers in the NLI were supplied by Christine Casey, who has made available all her notes for her unfinished study of Duff's life and work.

(1) Larmour does not give a source for this date. Duff was 56 at the time of his death in May 1848.
(2) MS. transcript from Royal Dublin Society minutes of School of Architectural Drawing admissions and prizewinners (in IAA).
(3) H. Dixon, Ulster Architecture 1800-1900 UAHS, 1972), 7.
(4) Transcript by F.C. Crossle of minutes of meeting of trustees of St Mary's Church, NLI MS 2235.
(5) Belfast Newsletter, 22 Nov 1822, cited by Larmour, op. cit., above, 58.
(6) H. Dixon, 'Honouring Thomas Jackson', Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society Proceedings and Reports 9 (1970-77), 23.
(7) Extract from Newry Telegraph, 8 May 1835, in Crossle papers, NLI MS 2209, p. 103.
(8) Caesar Otway, Tour in Connaught (1839), 184.
(9) Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal 7 (6 Feb 1844), 8-9.
(10) An account of the circumstances of Duff's death is in Newry Examiner, 13 May 1848 (information from Michael McKeown, Old Newry Society, 13 Aug 2008). Duff's tombstone in St Mary's graveyard records the dates of his own death and those of his son Robert (died 18 Jun 1847, aged 14), his daughter Anne (died 7 May 1848, aged 21) and his daughter Lucy (died 17 May 18??, aged 21)  
(11) Transcript of notice of death in Newry Telegraph, 11 May 1848, in Crossle papers, NLI MS 2209, p.161; information in e-mail from Michael McKeown, Old Newry Society, 18 Aug 2008.
(12) His wife was possibly Anne Jane Simms, who married a Thomas Duff, in St Ann's church, Belfast, in 1833 (www.familysearch.org ). The Downpatrick Recorder has a notice of her death at Killyleagh on 10 Jan 1874.
(13) Extract from Newry Telegraph, 12 Aug 1848, in Crossle papers, NLI MS 2209, p.314.  
(14) Durham Dunlop (ed.), A Memoir of the professional life of William J. Barre (Belfast: James Magill, 1868), 2.
(15) Transcript from 1824 Newry directory in Crossle papers, NLI MS 2220(XX).
(16) Transcript from 1846 list of Newry merchants &c. in Crossle papers, NLI MS 2223(XXIII); see also notes 10 and 12, above.
(17) Letters from Duff, May 1826, in Whyte papers, PRONI MSS D2918/3/15/1-57.


69 work entries listed in chronological order for DUFF, THOMAS J. [1]


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Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, ST MARY STREET, CHURCH OF ST MARY (CI)
Date: 1813
Nature: TD conducts erection.
Refs: 'Newry Jottings' NLI MS. 2202 & 2203 (Crossle MSS?) (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); transcript by F.C. Crossle of minutes of meeting of trustees of St Mary's Church, NLI MS 2235; Newry Telegraph 22 Jan 1889; Archaeological Survey of Co. Down (1966), 331(plan),Pl.115; H. Dixon, Ulster Architecture 1800-1900 (UAHS, 1972), 7; Douglas Scott Richardson, Gothic Revival Architecture in Ireland (1983), 192;  Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 225(illus.);  exterior also illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 201.

Building: CO. ARMAGH, ARMAGH, MARKET HOUSE
Date: 1815
Nature: New market house, costing £3,000. Inscr. 'Gulielmus Archiep. Armach. Utilitati Civium dedit MDCCCXV'. Attr. to Duff suggested by Brett.
Refs: James Stuart, Historical Memoirs of the City of Armagh (2nd edition, 1900), ?; C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses in the province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 36

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, CHURCH OF ST BRONACH (CI, KILBRONEY PARISH)
Date: 1818-1822
Nature: New church with tower, described by Lewis as 'a handsome cruciform edifice, with a lofty tower and pinnacles'. Listed by Dixon as an undated work by TD. FS laid by Edward Ross, 22 Jul 1818; in use by Easter 1822;  problems with damp, 1823.
Refs: Samuel Lewis, A Topographical dictionary of Ireland (1837), II, 56;  file on Duff compiled by Hugh Dixon in PRONI (reference from Christine Casey);  Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down & Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996),196(illus.)

Building: CO. ARMAGH, THE ARGORY
Date: 1821ca;1835
Nature: TD oversees construction of house designed by John and Arthur Williamson for Walter McGeough (who assumed additional name of Bond, Nov 1824) . 2 gate lodges, 1835.
Refs: G. Jackson-Stops, 'The Argory, Co. Armagh', Country Life 173, 30 Jun 1983, 1769 & 174, 7 Jul 1983, 24;  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 85,87.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, FISHERWICK PLACE, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Date: 1824-1827
Nature: Neo-Greek with tetrastyle Ionic portico. Opened 20 Sep 1827. Demolished to make way for Presbyterian Assembly building.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 23; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 58-59(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, EBENEZER CHAPEL
Date: 1825
Nature: 'probably' designed by TD (Larmour)
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 59

Building: CO. DOWN, FINNIS (DROMARA), CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL ARCHANGEL (RC)
Date: 1825-1833
Nature: New church, started 1825 and completed 1833. (Reroofed and redecorated. 1887.) Attributed to TJD in internet parish history (2008)
Refs: E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings of the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 10; http://www.lisburn.com/churches/Lisburn-churches/dromara-parish.htm (2008)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HILL STREET, CATHEDRAL OF SS PATRICK & COLMAN (RC)
Date: 1825-29
Nature: New cathedral on site given by Lord Downshire. Foundation 8 Jun 1825; dedication 6 May 1829, but not finished until later.
Refs: IB 30, 15 Mar 1888, 83; Archaeological Survey of Co. Down (1966), 350; E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings of the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 3; IB 30, 15 Mar 1888, 83; Douglas Scott Richardson, Gothic Revival Architecture in Ireland (1983), 217-219; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 58-59(illus.)

Building: CO. OFFALY, EDENDERRY, O'CONNELL SQUARE, COURT HOUSE
Date: 1826
Nature: Detached, five bay, two-storey court house with pedimented breakfront to front elevation. Ground floor arcade closed in 1950 during alterations following a fire.  Keystone over entrance
Refs:

Building: CO. DOWN, LOUGHBRICKLAND HOUSE
Date: 1826
Nature: Proposed addition, for Nicholas C. Whyte.
Refs: Letter & drawings in PRONI Whyte MSS, D2918/3/15/1-57, cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 42-3,53 (drawings reproduced figs.21-25); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 59

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, ROSS MONUMENT
Date: 1826
Nature: Execution of William Morrison's design supervised by TD, according to Dean. (Given to TD by |Archaeological Survey|.)
Refs: Archaeological Survey of Co. Down (1966), 435; J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 303 (no.92)

Building: CO. OFFALY, EDENDERRY, MARKET HOUSE & SESSIONS HOUSE
Date: 1826-27
Nature: Classical. Builder: Murray. (but Larmour says this was unexecuted)
Refs: Design for Corn Market and Sessions House, March 1826, and Elevation and Plans of Town Hall 'erected for the Marquis of Downshire A.D. 1827' in PRONI, Downshire MSS, D671/P6/13,14 (E.McP. also cites D671/P8/13A,B); related correspondence in PRONI D671/C11/8-20 (cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 10-14); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 59

Building: CO. OFFALY, EDENDERRY, TOWN HALL
Date: 1826-27
Nature: Classical. Builder: Murray.
Refs: Design for Corn Market and Sessions House, March 1826, and Elevation and Plans of Town Hall 'erected for the Marquis of Downshire A.D. 1827' in PRONI, Downshire MSS, D671/P6/13,14 (E.McP files also cite D671/P8/13A,B); related correspondence in PRONI D671/C11/8-20 cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 10-14

Building: CO. DOWN, LOUGHBRICKLAND, CHURCH OF ST PATRICK (RC)
Date: 1827-1832
Nature: New church, begun 1827 and dedicated 28 Oct 1832. (Tower added 1870.)
Refs: Architect's correspondence, 1827-32, and N.C. Whyte's notebook of subscriptions and expenses for building th chapel ?in PRONI Whyte papers (reference from Christine Casey); E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings in the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 8; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 59(illus.),61

Building: CO. DOWN, HILLTOWN, MARKET HOUSE
Date: 1828
Nature: Designs new 3-bay, 2-storey market house with cupola, for Marquess of Downshire.
Refs: Letters re improvements to Hilltown in PRONI, Downshire Papers, D671/C/11 (see PRONI e-catalogue);  C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 70-71

Building: CO. DOWN, HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE
Date: 1828-29
Nature: Improvements, for 3rd Marquess of Downshire.
Refs: Letters from Duff to Lord Downshire's agent, 23 May 1828 and 9 Jul 1829, in PRONI D671/C/11/1-26; C.E.B. Brett, Mid Down (UAHS, 1974), 14 (no.6); Hillsborough Castle (UAHS, 1993), 44.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, SANDYS STREET, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1ST)
Date: 1829
Nature: TD involved in design of church, opened in 1830.
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 59;  illus. in  Laurence Kirkpatrick, Presbyterians in Ireland: an illustrated history (Booklink, 2006), 296.


Building: CO. DOWN, DUNDRUM, INN & BATHS
Date: 1829
Nature: New inn & baths, for Marquess of Downshire.
Refs: Letters re same in PRONI, Downshire MSS, D671/C/11/16,19 (cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 15-16.)

Building: CO. LOUTH, ARDEE, CHURCH OF ST MARY (RC)
Date: 1829-1846
Nature: Attr.to TD, who was supervising work in 1846.
Refs: Drogheda Argo & Leinster Journal, 3 Jan 1846, cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 39; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 118; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 59

Building: CO. DOWN, CLANDEBOYE HOUSE
Date: 1830-31
Nature: Works, including water closets, for 4th Baron Dufferin.
Refs: Transcript of letters in possession of Col. J.R.H. Greeves, cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 43-4,53

Building: CO. TYRONE, CALEDON, HOSPITAL OR INFANTS' SCHOOL
Date: 1830p
Nature: Tudor with Tuscan colonnades. Possibly attributable to TD.
Refs: Skech design in collection of Earl of Caledon, see Hugh Dixon, Ulster Architecture 1800-1900 (UAHS, 1972), 22 (no. 100)

Building: CO. DOWN, WOOD HOUSE (ROSTREVOR)
Date: 1830s
Nature: New house, for Trevor Corry. Larmour says design of house 'may…be fairly confidently credited' to TD and dates house to 1830s.
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62,63(ILLUS.)

Building: CO. DOWN, NARROW WATER CASTLE
Date: 1831ca
Nature: Attribution of Newry Gate to TD suggested by Dean.
Refs: J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 86 (no. 250, illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, BANBRIDGE, MARKET HOUSE (PROPOSED)
Date: 1833
Nature: Sketch design supplied to Lord Downshire, Oct 1833, but building executed to design by Michael Gavigan.
Refs: PRONI, Downshire MSS, D671/c/11/20, cited by Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 14-15; C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 63

Building: CO. LOUTH, DUNDALK, JOCELYN STREET, METHODIST CHURCH
Date: 1834
Nature: Greek revival. Attribution to TD suggested by Casey & Rowan and Larmour (who gives date as 1838).
Refs: P. O'Dubhtaigh, Book of Dundalk (1946), ?; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 267; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, CHURCH OF ST PETER (RC)
Date: 1834
Nature: New church. FS laid by Dr Blake, 29 Jul 1834; almost complete in Sep 1837; dedicated 15 Aug 1841.
Refs: Extract from Newry Commercial Telegraph, 1 Aug 1834, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2209, p.93 (reference from Christine Casey); Catholic Directory (1842), 417; E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings in the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 6-7; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 60(illus.),62

Building: CO. LOUTH, DUNDALK, RODEN PLACE, CHURCH OF ST PATRICK (RC PRO-CATHEDRAL)
Date: 1834-1842
Nature: New church on site acquired in 1834. FS laid 19 Mar 1834. Walls built up to eave gutters by end of 1839. Roofed and glazed 1840. Opened 17 Mar 1842. Rib-vaulted ceiling, 1843. Total cost £25,000.
Refs: Civil Engineer & Architect's Journal 5 (May, 1842), 175-6 (extracted from a 'Newry Paper'); 7 (6 Jan, 1844), 9 (abridged from Newry Examiner); DB 5, 1 Aug 1863, 131; Rev. J.F. Stokes, St Patrick's Dundalk Centenary Record, ? (TD wrongly called John Duff); H. Dixon, Ulster Architecture 1800-1900 (UAHS, 1972), 17 (no. 63); Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 264-265; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 59(illus.),60-61(illus.)

Building: CO. ARMAGH, THE ARGORY
Date: 1835
Nature: Proposed Greek revival chapel, for Walter McGeough Bond.
Refs: Undated plan and elevation in collection of National Trust, Northern Ireland, at The Argory (front elevation repr. in The Argory, Co. Armagh (The National Trust, 1984), 28G). Jackson-Stops, 'The Argory, Co. Armagh', Country Life 174, 7 Jul 1983, 24; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. ARMAGH, THE ARGORY
Date: 1835ca
Nature: Gate lodges for Walter McGeough Bond.
Refs: G. Jackson-Stops, 'The Argory, Co. Armagh', Country Life 174, 7 Jul 1983, 24; J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 33 (no. 11, illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, DONARD LODGE
Date: 1836
Nature: Gate lodge. (Larmour says TD designed gate lodges and extensive addition to main house.)
Refs: Signed and dated plan and elevation in PRONI D1503/10/16,21a, see Hugh Dixon, Ulster Architecture 1800-1900 (UAHS, 1972), 16 (no.51); P.J. Rankin, Mourne (UAHS, 1975), 80 (no.54),81(illus), drawing reproduced on p.69; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, RATHFRILAND ROAD, FEVER HOSPITAL
Date: 1836-37
Nature: New 3-storey hospital for 50-60 patients. Duff's design approved by committee 16 Oct 1836.. Estimated expense £1,500. Contractor: Thomas Clarke.(Demolished)
Refs: Extracts from Newry Telegraph, 6 Oct 1836, 10 Dec 1836, 27 Jun 1837, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2208-9, pp.312,320,330-1 (reference supplied by Christine Casey); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. ARMAGH, ARMAGH, CATHEDRAL ROAD, ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE
Date: 1836-38
Nature: Original block designed by TD.
Refs: Guide to St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (1904), 58; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62;  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 114.


Building: CO. DOWN, NARROW WATER CASTLE
Date: 1837a
Nature: Tudor revival house incorporating earlier structure, for Roger Hall., designed in the early 1830s and finished in 1837.
Refs: Wooden model in possssion of Roger Hall, see Hugh Dixon, Ulster Architecture 1800-1900 (UAHS, 1972), 11(no. 18) (now (2010) in Narrow Water Castle);  Mrs & Mrs S.C. Hall, Ireland (1841-3), III, 3; Archaeological Survey of Co. Down (1966), 377; Mark Bence-Jones, Burke’s Guide to Country Houses. Volume I, Ireland. (London, 1978), 222; Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 46-47, figs.30,31; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 59(illus.),60.

Building: CO. DOWN, NARROW WATER CASTLE
Date: 1837ca
Nature: Castle Gate and Tudor Lodge by TD.
Refs: J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 86 (no. 250, illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, SAVINGS BANK
Date: 1838-1840
Nature: New bank with pilastered classical front.
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, TREVOR HILL, COURT HOUSE
Date: 1838-1841
Nature: New court house for Co. Down Grand Jury. Plans approved 1838. (Damaged by bomb and rebuilt in 1990s)
Refs: Extract from Newry Telegraph, 28 Sep 1837 (in Crossle MSS, NLI 2208); extract from Newry Commercial Telegraph, 21 Apr 1838, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2209, p. 148 (reference from Christine Casey); C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 72; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62(illus.)

Building: CO. LOUTH, DUNDALK, JOCELYN STREET, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Date: 1839
Nature: Tudor Gothic. Cost £3,000.
Refs: Newry Telegraph, 30 Apr,18 May 1839; P. O'Dubhtaiagh, Book of Dundalk (1946), ? (B of I); Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 267; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 60(illus.),61 (gives date as 1835);  illus. in Laurence Kirkpatrick, Presbyterians in Ireland: an illustrated history (Booklink, 2006), 296.

Building: CO. TYRONE, CALEDON, CALEDON MONUMENT
Date: 1839
Nature: TD wins competition for monument to 2nd Earl of Caledon from 32 entries (but column executed to designs by William Murray).
Refs: Design described in excerpt from Newry Examiner reproduced in Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal 2 (1839), 477.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, CORRY MONUMENT
Date: 1839
Nature: Memorial obelisk
Refs: Extracts from Newry Telegraph, 28 Jan 1905, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2204; H. Dixon's file on Duff in PRONI (reference from Christine Casey); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62,63(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, METHODIST CHURCH
Date: 1839
Nature: 'It is more than likely that Duff was…responsible for the Methodist churches at Newry (1839) and Dundalk (1838)' (Larmour).
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. TYRONE, PARKANAUR (CASTLECAULFIELD)
Date: 1839-1848
Nature: Remodelling and enlargement of exisiting house, for John Ynyr Burges. FS laid 1839.
Refs: Parkanaur estate account book in PRONI D7100? (reference from Christine Casey); letters from TD in PRONI D1594/114 (see PRONI E-catalogue, http://applications.proni.gov.uk/LL_DCAL_PRONI_ECATNI/ResultDetails.aspx (last visited, Nov 2011);  Burgesaga, 35-58, based on J.Y.Burges, Chronicles of Parkanaur; R.W. Oram & P.J. Rankin, Dungannon & Cookstown (UAHS, 1971), 52 (no. 13)Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 451; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61(illus.),62

Building: CO. ARMAGH, GODFORD CASTLE (MARKETHILL)
Date: 1839-1848
Nature: Superintending architect for various adds. & alts. for 2nd Earl of Gosford.
Refs: Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 346.

Building: CO. TYRONE, PARKANAUR (CASTLECAULFIELD)
Date: 1839-1848
Nature: Remodelling and enlargement of exisiting house, for John Ynyr Burges. FS laid 1839.
Refs: Parkanaur estate account book in PRONI D7100? (reference from Christine Casey); letters from TD in PRONI D1594/114 (see PRONI E-catalogue, http://applications.proni.gov.uk/LL_DCAL_PRONI_ECATNI/ResultDetails.aspx (last visited, Nov 2011);  Burgesaga, 35-58, based on J.Y.Burges, Chronicles of Parkanaur; R.W. Oram & P.J. Rankin, Dungannon & Cookstown (UAHS, 1971), 52 (no. 13)Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 451; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61(illus.),62

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWCASTLE, BATH HOUSE
Date: 1839a
Nature: Attr. by Peter Rankin to TD.
Refs: P.J. Rankin, Mourne (UAHS, 1975), 72 (no. 7)

Building: CO. DOWN, ANNACLONE (BANBRIDGE), CHURCH OF ST COLMAN (RC)
Date: 1840
Nature: New Gothic church, for Rev. J.S. Keenan (founder of St Colman's College, Newry),replacing one of 1802. Consecrated 6 Nov 1840. (Redecorated 1924 and 2 side altars erected.
Refs: E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings of the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 9; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, BRIDEWELL
Date: 1840
Nature: Bridewell to be erected adjoining court house. Contractor: John McGivern.
Refs: Extract from Newry Commercial Telegraph, 10 Sep 1840, in NLI Crossle MS 2209

Building: CO. ARMAGH, ARMAGH, CATHEDRAL ROAD, CATHEDRAL OF ST PATRICK (RC)
Date: 1840
Nature: Original plans by TD; 34 feet of walls built, costing £26,000. Clerk of works, William Marron. Work finished after TD's death by J.J. McCarthy.
Refs: 'Document relating to the building of the Cathedral' (copy of original minute book in Bishop's Palace, Armagh) in ?;   B 9, 21 Jun 1851, 393; DB 5, 1 Feb,15 Apr 1863, 16,65; 6, 1 Oct 1864, 199; IB 15, 1 Sep 1873, 230; 18, 1 May 1876, 133; Architect 10, 23 Aug 1873, 95; design published as frontispiece to Rev. John Gallogly, History of St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (1880); Guide to St Patrick's Cathdral, Armagh (1904), 64; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61(illus.);  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 109-11.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HIGH STREET, GRAVEYARD
Date: 1840
Nature: Monument to Rev. John Mitchel.
Refs: Extract from Newry Commercial Telegraph, 26 May 1840, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2209, p.179 (reference from Christine Casey); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62,63(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, SANDYS STREET, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1ST)
Date: 1840
Nature: Monumental tomb to Rev. John Mitchel (d.1840) (in church or in burial ground?).
Refs: Extracts from Newry Commercial Telegraph, 26 May 1840, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2209

Building: CO. LOUTH, RAVENSDALE PARK
Date: 1840
Nature: Italianate. For 1st Baron Clermont. Later extended by Lanyon & Lynn.
Refs: Wooden model for castellated version of house in IAA; extract from Newry Commercial Telegraph, 5 Mar 1840, in Crossle MSS, NLI 2209, p. 176 (reference from Christine Casey); Mark Bence-Jones, Burke’s Guide to Country Houses. Volume I, Ireland. (London, 1978), 240-241; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 462; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. MONAGHAN, MONAGHAN, ST MACARTAN'S SEMINARY
Date: 1840-48
Nature: New Classical building with 3-storey, 5-bay central block and 2-storey wings of 5 bays. Work superintended by Rev. Thomas Bogue, a friend of TD.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Historic Buildings…in the town of Monaghan (UAHS, 1970), 22 (no. 62); J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 131 (no. 83, lodge illus.); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62(illus.);  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 481-2, Pl.102..

Building: CO. DOWN, TAMNAHARRY HOUSE (WARRENPOINT)
Date: 1840ca
Nature: Picturesque, gabled house, and two lodges, for William Edmond Reilly. Larmour says TD 'may…be fairly confidently credited' with design of house, which he dates to 1830s.
Refs: J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 97 (no. 336, lodges illus.); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, DOWNSHIRE ROAD, ST PATRICK'S CHURCH HALL (CI)
Date: 1841
Nature: 'intended Garrison Church…which later became Scriptural Schools before ending up as St Patrick's Church of Ireland church hall' (Larmour)
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 60(illus.),61

Building: CO. DOWN, CASTLEWELLAN, MARKET HOUSE
Date: 1841ca
Nature: Proposal for churchification of market house possibly by TD.
Refs: Elevation in PRONI 1503/10/9; see P.J. Rankin, Mourne (UAHS, 1975), 25(no. 8),27(illus.),32(no.23)

Building: CO. ARMAGH, MARKETHILL, COURT HOUSE
Date: 1842
Nature: New.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the Province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 41(illus.),42; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62 (gives date as 1843);  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 444.

Building: CO. DOWN, HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE
Date: 1844
Nature: TD makes plan of same, for 3rd Marquess of Downshire.
Refs: PRONI D671/P8/15A (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); letters from Duff to Lord Downshire's agent, 23 May 1828 and 9 Jul 1829, in PRONI D671/C/11/1-26 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); C.E.B. Brett, Mid Down (UAHS, 1974), 14 (no.6); Hillsborough Castle (UAHS, 1993), 44.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, DOWNSHIRE ROAD, IMPROVEMENTS
Date: 1844
Nature: New church, terraces (including Belmont Tce) and villas, for Marquess of Downshire.
Refs: Several copies of engraved 'Plan of the proposed improvements on the estate of the Most Noble the Marquis of Downshire at Newry 1844' and accompanying bird's eye view in PRONI D671/P9/3/1-17 and D671/P9/4/1-17(information from Christine Casey); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62

Building: CO. DOWN, HILLTOWN, CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST (RC)
Date: 1844-1850
Nature: New pedimented classical church. founded 1844 and dedicated 6 Oct 1850 (but |Dundalk Democrat|, 28 Sep 1856, says that church was consecrated in 1856?) (NB. Brendan Grimes thinks this church was finished by Patrick Byrne after Duff's death.)
Refs: B 8, 12 Oct 1850, 488; E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings of the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 9,11(illus.); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. CLARE, ENNIS, GORT ROAD, COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Date: 1845
Nature: A Mr Duff was a competition entrant, but competition won by Henry Whitestone.
Refs: Clare Journal, 27 Oct 1845; William Garner, Ennis: Architectural Heritage (An Foras Forbatha, 1981), 16,18,19(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, KILBRONEY PARK (ROSTREVOR)
Date: 1845ca
Nature: Attribution to TD suggested by Dean. Larmour says design of house 'may…be fairly confidently credited' to TD but dates house to 1830s.
Refs: J.A.K. Dean, The Gate Lodges of Ulster (UAHS, 1994), 80 (no. 193, illus.); Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, CHURCH OF ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA (RC)
Date: 1848-1854
Nature: New church on Greek cross plan. Original design by Thomas Duff; work carried out after his death by Patrick Byrne. Church consecrated 15 Oct 1854. (Spire added 1859.)
Refs: B 12, 7 Oct,18 Nov 1854, 526,594; E. Campbell, Ecclesiastical Buildings in the Diocese of Dromore (1940), 12; Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 61

Building: CO. DOWN, KIRCUBBIN, CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY (CI)
Date: ?
Nature: Attribution to TD suggested by H. Dixon (but see Charles Lanyon).
Refs: Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 35 (but reference incorrect)

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HOUSES
Date: ?
Nature: Listed by Dixon as undated works by TD.
Refs: H. Dixon's file on Duff in PRONI (reference from Christine Casey)

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HILL STREET, NO. 071-73
Date: ?
Nature: 'unusually palatial shop front for the grocer and tea merchant George Scott' (Larmour)
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'That eminent and tasteful architect', Perspective7, No. 1 (Sep/Oct 1998), 62(illus.)

Building: CO. ARMAGH, THE ARGORY
Date: ?
Nature: Woodman's cottage, for Walter McGeough Bond.
Refs: Undated elevations & plan in collection of National Trust, Northern Ireland, at The Argory.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWCASTLE, HOTEL
Date: ?
Nature: 'The castle, built by Magennis close to the sea shore, has been taken down, and on its site Earl Annesley has erected a spacious and elegant hotel, from a design by Mr Duff, of Belfast, at an expense of £3000, whic is fitted up with superior accommodations, including hot and cold baths, and every requisite arrangement.'
Refs: Samuel Lewis, A Topographical dictionary of Ireland (1837), II, 424.

Building: CO. DOWN, COOLNACRAN HOUSE (LOUGHBRICKLAND)
Date: ?
Nature: Extensions and alterations, for Nicholas Charles Whyte (1783-1845).
Refs: Letters and drawings mainly from Thomas Duff, architect, 5 College Square, Belfast, to Nicholas Charles Whyte, concerning extensions and alterations to Coolnacran House, Loughbrickland, Co. Down, with further Duff letters and associated workmen's accounts in PRONI, D2918/3/15 (see PRONI E-catalogue, http://applications.proni.gov.uk/LL_DCAL_PRONI_ECATNI/ResultDetails.aspx, last visited Nov, 2011).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, ANTRIM, MILLROW, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1ST)
Date: ?
Nature: Attribution to TD suggested by H.Dixon and 'others'.
Refs: Gerard M. Rogers, 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)', dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986, 35 (but reference incorrect).

Building: CO. ARMAGH, MARKETHILL, MARKET HOUSE
Date: ?
Nature: 'An imposing three-storey block in the style of Thomas Duff and showing the same broad proportions evident in the Courthouse...' (Mulligan).
Refs: Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 445.

Author Title Date Details
Larmour, Paul 'That eminent and tasteful architect' 1998 Perspective 7, No. 1 (Sep-Oct 1998), 58-63.
Rogers, Gerard M. 'The Work of Thomas Duff (1792-1848)' 1986 Dissertation submitted to Queen's University, Belfast, School of Architecture, 1986.