Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect and engineer, of Dublin. John Howard Pentland, who was born in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, on 30 July 1855,(1) was a son of Thomas Pentland, a bank manager, and his wife, who was a daughter of Thomas Carroll, of Dublin, and a sister of THOMAS HENRY CARROLL THOMAS HENRY CARROLL , HOWARD CARROLL  HOWARD CARROLL and JAMES RAWSON CARROLL. JAMES RAWSON CARROLL. (2)   He was a pupil of his uncle James Rawson Carroll from 1872 to 1877, and, from 1873 onwards, also attended Trinity College, Dublin, from which he graduated with the degrees of BA and BAI with special honours in 1877.(3) For the next two years he was a working pupil of THOMAS NEWENHAM DEANE  THOMAS NEWENHAM DEANE before returning to his uncle's office as an assistant in 1879. The following year he travelled in Normandy, and in 1882 he became his uncle's partner. The practice of CARROLL & CARROLL & amp; PENTLAND  PENTLAND lasted until the end of 1884, when Pentland, after competing successfully in the Board of Works surveyorship examination, was appointed an assistant surveyor of buildings on 15 December. On 8 April 1891 he succeeded JAMES HIGGINS OWEN  JAMES HIGGINS OWEN as head of the Board's architectural department, a post which was titled senior surveyor until 20 February 1900 and principal surveyor thereafter.(4) He designed several post offices for the Board, including an unexecuted Tudor Gothic scheme for a district office 'in a central position' exhibited at the RHA in 1889.(5) For many years he was involved in the enlargement and remodelling of the General Post Office in O'Connell Street, completed only weeks before the destruction of the building in the Easter Rising of 1916. His best-known work in Dublin is the arch erected in 1906-7 at the north entrance to St Stephen's Green in memory of the Dublin Fusiliers who died in the Boer War.

Pentland suffered from poor health towards the end of his life, which caused him to retire in 1918. On his retirement he was presented by his colleagues with 'a pair of Adams period silver vases' and a frame enclosing an address writen by HAROLD LEASK. HAROLD LEASK. (6) He died after a short illness on 15 November 1919 and was buried in Deansgrange cemetery. He was married to Marian, daughter of Graves Searight, of Springfield, Loughlinstown, president of the Dublin Stock Exchange and had an only daughter, also named Marian.(7) 

Pentland's obituarist in the Irish Builder emphasised his versatility, recalling that at Trinity, he had distinguished himself not only in engineering but also in classics and languages. Scholarly by nature, he was widely read in English and French literature and also had a 'considerable and general knowledge of art'. In his professional capacity, as well as demonstrating a 'quiet and refined taste' as a designer, he was a knowledgeable electrical engineer, supervising the installation of electricity in a number of public buildings in the city, and was also 'a good authority on stresses and strains, and on steel construction'.(8) He was actively involved in the revived Architectural Association of Ireland for several years, 'being an ardent believer in the reform and advancement of architectural education'.  According to the brief obituary which appeared in the Irish Times four days after his death, he was also 'connected with St Bartholomew's congregation, and was much interested in Church work'.

AAI:(9) founder member of revived association, 1896; gives lecture on 'Open Roofs', Oct 1897;(10) vice-president, 1896-98, 1902-3; president, 1898-99;  gives lectures on 'The New Architect, his work and registration', 25 October 1898,(11) 'The New Profession of Architectural Engineering', 3 January 1905,(12) and 'Electrical Installation on the Three-phase system', 8 January 1907;(13) ceased membership after 1909.
Association of Master Painters in Ireland: delivers lecture on 'Old Dublin Plaster' at annual convention, 17 January 1905.(14)
ICEI: reads paper, 'Potential of Steam', 6 March 1895,(15) and awarded Mullins Silver Medal for same, 2 December 1896;(16) elected member, 4 December 1895.(17)
RIAI:(18) elected member April 1883;(19) council member, 1890-1900; elected fellow, 1903; ceased membership after 1904.
RIBA: elected fellow, 18 November 1889, having been proposed by THOMAS DREW THOMAS DREW , James Rawson Carroll and MAURICE BINGHAM ADAMS. MAURICE BINGHAM ADAMS.
RSAI: elected member, 1888.(20)
RHA: elected associate, 18 July 1894, and member, 18 Jan 1895.(21)

Addresses:(22) Work: 176 Great Brunswick Street, 1883; Office of Public Works, 1884-1918.
Home: 16 Moyne Road, Rathmines, 1883-1887; 7 Ormond Road, Rathmines, 1887--1893; Lis na Crun, Cowper Road, Rathmines Upper, 1894->=1896; 4 Lansdowne Gardens, Shelbourne Road, <=1907->=1918.

See WORKS and BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY ; see also works of CARROLL & CARROLL & amp; PENTLAND. PENTLAND.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from the obituary of Pentland in IB 61, 22 Nov 1919, 539, Frederick O'Dwyer, 'The architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1831-1987 (AAI, 1987), 26, and Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 (RIBA 2001), II, 352. Another  brief obituary is in Irish Times, 19 Nov 1919.


(1) His place of birth is recorded in the 1911 census http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000118002/ (last visited Feb 2009).
(2) Information from Margaret Osborn, Longboat Key, Florida, great-great-great-grandddaughter of Thomas Henry Carroll, Feb 2012.
(3) R.C. Cox, compiler, Trinity College School of Engineering: 'Graduates' in Engineering 1843-1992 (1993), unpaginated.
(4) Dates of Pentland's appointment and promotion and new designation from Jones's transcript from Board of Works records.
(5) IB 31, 15 Jun 1889, 159(illus.).
(6) IB 60, 11 May 1918, 246(illus.).
(7) 1911 census, see note 1, above; IB 72, ? ? 1930, 380.
(8) O'Dwyer, loc. cit., above, notes that the office building which Pentland designed behind the Land Commission in Upper Merrion Street may have been the first all-concrete building in Dublin.
(9) From lists of members, officers and past officers in AAI Green Books, unless otherwise stated.
(10) IB 39, 15 Oct,1 Nov 1897, 200,214.
(11) Irish Times, 26 Oct 1898.
(12) IAA Green Book (1905), 7; IB 14 Jan,25 Feb,11 Mar 1905, 29,118,150.
(13) IAA Green Book (1907), 7.
(14) Irish Builder, 18 Jan 1905.
(15) TICEI 24 (1894-95), 47-56, 68-76.
(16) TICEI 26 (1896-97), 39.
(17) TICEI 25 (1895-96), 1.
(17) From RIAI lists of officers and members or Jones's transcripts from same.
(19) RIAI council meeting minutes, 9 Apr 1883, 225,226.
(20) JRSAI 19 (1889), list of members.
(21) W.G. Strickland, A Dictionary of Irish Artists (1913), II, 633.
(22) From Thom's directories and Jones's transcripts from same.


40 work entries listed in chronological order for PENTLAND, JOHN HOWARD


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Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, BAGGOTRATH, DISTRICT LUNATIC ASYLUM
Date: 1887
Nature: Works at same? Contractor: Mssrs. Tighe.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0655, B13/29

Building: CO. CORK, UPPER COBH, GUN BATTERY
Date: 1888-1890
Nature: 2-gun battery, drill shed, clothing store, boundary walls and gate. amount of tender: £2093. For Commissioners of Public Works. Contractor: R.W. Johnson, CE.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0669, B14/30, B15/15 (missing), A07 (Aug 1888, Feb 1890, pp.340, 374)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, TERENURE ROAD WEST, ST JOSEPH'S PRESENTATION CONVENT NATIONAL SCHOOLS
Date: 1889
Nature: FS laid 29 Mar 1889 by Dr Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin. Builder: W. Connolly & Son.
Refs: IB 31, 1 Apr 1889, 96

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUN LAOGHAIRE, GEORGE'S STREET UPPER, POLICE COURT
Date: 1889-1890
Nature: New police court. Amount of tender £1,331.17s. Contractor: O'Connor, Lower Mount St. (Demolished.)
Refs: IAA, PKS 0675, B15/02 (missing), A07 (Dec 1889, p.343);  Irish Times, 7 Jun 1890 (long description).

Building: CO. WEXFORD, CARNSORE, COASTGUARD STATION
Date: 1890
Nature: New coastguard station. By Cochrane, Mellon and Pentland. Amount of accepted tender previous to reductions: £3473.12s.2d.
Refs: IAA, PKS B15/26 (missing), A07 (Aug 1890, 375)

Building: CO. WEXFORD, BANNOW, COASTGUARD STATION
Date: 1890
Nature: New coastguard station. By Cochrane, Mellon and Pentland. Amount of accepted tender previous to reductions; £1678.14s.9d.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0685, B15/21 (missing), A07 (Jun 1890, p.375)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, SKERRIES, HOLMPATRICK TERRACE, SHENICK LODGE
Date: 1890a
Nature: New house commissioned by JHP's college friend T.S.F. Battersby 'soon after' latter's marriage in 1883.. JHP exhibits. view of same at RHA 1890. (Permission granted for demolition of same by Fingal County Council, Jun 2005.)
Refs: RHA 1890, no. 514;  Irish Times, 2 Nov 1933 (obituary of T.S.F. Battersby).

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, DONNYBROOK, GRAVEYARD
Date: 1890ca
Nature: Arch into graveyard erected by members of Dublin Stock Exchange in memory of Graves Searight, president of Stock Exchange and father-in-law of JHP. But did JHP design it? Relocated when road was widened.
Refs: IB 72, ? ? 1930, 380l; Evening Press, 24 Mar 1969

Building: CO. WICKLOW, BALLINACARRIG, JACK'S HOLE COASTGUARD STATION
Date: 1891
Nature: New coastguard station. Tenders invited Sep 1891. By JHP? Amount of lowest tender £2322.13s.11d. Also rocket house at rear. Amount of lowest tender £130.0s.9d.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0704, B15/44 (missing), A07 (Sep 1891, p.378); Wicklow Newsletter, 12 Sep 1891

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, EDEN QUAY, NO. 026-27 (MARINE BOARD)
Date: 1891
Nature: New offices. Amount of tender prior to reductions: £4534.
Refs: Drawing(s), also initialled 'E.K.', in NA, OPW collection, old ref F.6.2; IAA, PKS 0694, A07 (May 1891, p.393);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 191.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, SHELBOURNE ROAD (BALLSBRIDGE), POST OFFICE
Date: 1891a
Nature: 'completed for some time'. Contractor: H. & J. Martin, Dublin.
Refs: RHA 1891, no. 492; IB 33, 1 Jul 1891, 146; Frederick O'Dwyer, 'The architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1831-1987 (AAI, 1987), 26(illus.)

Building: CO. WEXFORD, ROSSLARE, COASTGUARD STATION
Date: 1892
Nature: By JHP? Estimated cost: £2,807.
Refs: IAA, PKS B15/51 (missing), A07 (Jan 1892)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, AMIENS STREET, NO. 100-105 (PARCEL POST DEPOT)
Date: 1892-93
Nature: New building at corner of Preston Street; 'being pushed on vigorously' by contractor, Samuel Worthington.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0714, B15/52 (missing), A07 (Feb 1892-Jun 1893), pp.412,415); RHA 1892, no. 477; IB 34, 1 Jul 1892, 146,147(illus.);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 179(illus.).

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CIRCULAR ROAD NORTH (PHIBSBOROUGH), NO. 336 (POST OFFICE)
Date: 1892-93
Nature: New post office, for Commissioners of Public Works. Contractor: John Pemberton.  Estimated cost: £1380.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0720, B15/61(missing), A07 (Jun 1892, p.412); Frederick O'Dwyer, 'The architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1831-1987 (AAI, 1987), 26,92-93(illus.).

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, JAMES'S STREET, NO. 109 (POST OFFICE)
Date: 1892-93
Nature: JHP involved in design of same? (Casey gives design unequivocally to JHP.)
Refs: Drawing(s) in NA, OPW drawings collection (old ref. E.5.11); IAA, PKS 0719, B15/62 (missing), A07 (Jun 1892-Sep 1893, pp.412,414);  Máire Crean, Lost Post: a selection of Ireland's post office buildings (Dublin, 2012), 80-81, figs. 4.56-4.60;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 663.

Building: CO. KERRY, WATERVILLE, COASTGUARD STATION
Date: 1893-94
Nature: New coastguard station, boathouse and slipway. By JHP? Estimated cost: £2,845. Contract signed 1894. Superintending engineer: J. Haslam, BE. Builder: M. Johnson.
Refs: Drawing(s) in NA, OPW drawings collection (old ref. B.4.13); IAA, PKS 0705, B15/45 (missing), A07 (Sep 1891, p.378); IB 36, 1 May 1894, 107

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, PHOENIX PARK, ORDNANCE SURVEY OFFICE
Date: 1893;1891-1895
Nature: Warrant officers' quarters, 1893. Map stores, 1891-95.
Refs: Drawings in NA, OPW collection, old ref. G.2.2; IAA, PKS 0702, B15/42, A07 (Mar 1891, p.377);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 302.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, PHOENIX PARK, METROPOLITAN POLICE BARRACK
Date: 1894
Nature: Design for proposed barrack exh. RHA.
Refs: RHA 1894, 350

Building: CO. CORK, BUNMONA, NATIONAL SCHOOL
Date: 1898
Nature: New national school to be built under Board of Works.
Refs: IB 40, 15 Aug 1898, 125

Building: CO. FERMANAGH, ENNISKILLEN, MAIN STREET, POST OFFICE
Date: 1899
Nature: By JHP? Builder: T. Lowry & Son. Clerk of Works: W.D. Tyler.
Refs: Unsigned drawing in NA, OPW drawings collection (old ref. E.5.7); IAA, PKS 0818, B19/23, A08 (Jul 1899); Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 282-3 (where attr. to J.L Donnelly)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUNDRUM, DUNDRUM ROAD, CRIMINAL LUNATIC ASYLUM
Date: 1899
Nature: New chimney and boiler. Estimated cost: £3,181.
Refs: IAA, PKS B19/27, A08 (Sep 1899)

Building: CO. MAYO, WESTPORT, POST OFFICE
Date: 1899-1901
Nature: New 2-storey, 6-bay post office and house. Contractor: D. McLynn. Estimated cost: £3,124.
Refs: Drawing(s), 1899, in NA, OPW drawings collection (old ref. E.8.9); IAA, PKS 0810, B19/02, A08 (Feb 1899); IB 49, 1 Jun 1907, 388;  Máire Crean, Lost Post: a selection of Ireland's post office buildings (Dublin, 2012), 100-101(illus.) (gives name of contractor as Denis Tynan).

Building: CO. KILKENNY, CARRIGEEN (MOONCOIN), NATIONAL SCHOOLS
Date: 1900
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 42, 1 May 1900, 347

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, PHOENIX PARK, ROYAL HIBERNIAN MILITARY SCHOOL
Date: 1900
Nature: Workshop. For Board of Public Works.
Refs: IB 42, 1 Jul 1900, 403

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CHANCERY STREET, BRIDEWELL
Date: 1900-01
Nature: New bridewell, in course of erection Jan 1901. Extensive use of expanded metal throughout building.
Refs: Irish Times, 7 Jan 1901; IB 43, 30 Jan,21 Nov 1901, 606,935;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 99.

Building: CO. MAYO, CASTLEBAR, CHURCH STREET, POST OFFICE
Date: 1902
Nature: New 2-storey, 5-bay neo-Georgian post office. Hipped roof with heavy eaves.
Refs: Designs, 1902, in OPW5HC/4/605; IB 42, 15 Apr 1900, 334; 49, 1 Jun 1907, 388

Building: CO. DUBLIN, BLACKROCK, MAIN STREET, NO. 036 (POST OFFICE)
Date: 1905-09
Nature: New. Opened 1 Nov 1909. Builder: G.W. Scott & Co., Usher's Quay.
Refs: IB 51, 13 Nov 1909, 709(illus.); Frederick O'Dwyer, 'The architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1831-1987 (AAI, 1987), 26,27(illus.);  Máire Crean, Lost Post: a selection of Ireland's post office buildings (Dublin, 2012), 64-65, figs. 4.19-25.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, O'CONNELL STREET LOWER, GENERAL POST OFFICE
Date: 1905-1915
Nature: Extensions into Henry St and Prince's St.. Contractor: Alex Hull & Co., Ringsend. In progress 1910. New neo-Grec public office. Contractor: J. & W. Stewart, Dublin & Belfast. (Public Office destroyed in Easter Rising, 1916, a few weeks after opening) .
Refs: IAA, PKS 0957, B21/33, A09 (Jul 1912); IB 47, 20 May 1905, 358; 52, 19 Feb 1910, 117; 57, 13 Mar 1915, 130; 67, 4 Apr 1925, ?; Frederick O'Dwyer, 'The architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1831-1987 (AAI, 1987), 26;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 147.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, DAWSON STREET, NO. 019 (ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY)
Date: 1906
Nature: Electric lighting. Contractor: William Coates & Sons, Ltd.
Refs: IB 48, 22 Sep 1906, 782

Building: CO. DUBLIN, SKERRIES, GOLF CLUB
Date: 1906
Nature: Pavilion designed by JHP.
Refs: IB 48, 21 apr 1906, 326

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, ST STEPHEN'S GREEN, ROYAL FUSILIERS' MEMORIAL ARCH
Date: 1906-07
Nature: Memorial arch 'somewhat in the manner of the Arch of Titus in Rome' to commemorate members of regiment killed in Boer War. Inaugurated 19 Aug 1907 by Duke of Connaught. Consulting architect: Sir Thomas Drew. Contractor: Laverty & Sons, Belfast.  Inscription composed by Sir John Ross.
Refs: Designs for same exh. RHA 1908, nos. 295,312; IB 48, 27 Jan,19 May,20 Oct 1906, 49,386,850; 49, 9,23 Mar,20 Apr,24 Aug 1907, 176,197,286,290(illus.),577;  Irish Times, 4 May 1907, 19 Nov 1919.;  Building News93, 30 Aug 1907, 281;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 533.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, MERRION STREET UPPER, LAND COMMISSION
Date: 1908-09
Nature: Block behind house on street, which 'may have been the first all-concrete building in Dublin'. Contractor: New Expanded Metal Company, London.
Refs: Frederick O'Dwyer, 'The architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1831-1987 (AAI, 1987), 26

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUNDRUM, DUNDRUM ROAD, CRIMINAL LUNATIC ASYLUM
Date: 1909
Nature: New steam laundry for Central Criminal Lunatic Asylum. Estimate works £3,000.
Refs: IAA PKS 0815

Building: CO. KILDARE, ATHY, POST OFFICE
Date: 1909-1910
Nature: New. Work supervised by J. Burke. Clerk of Works: G. Harpur. Builder: G.H. Dawson & Co., Dublin
Refs: Designs for 3-storey, neo Georgian building, initialled 'G.W.C[rowe]' and dated 1909 in NA< OPW drawings collection, old ref. E.15; IB 52, 14 May 1910, 304(illus.);  Máire Crean, Lost Post: a selection of Ireland's post office buildings (Dublin, 2012), 56-57, figs..4.1-4.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, FITZGIBBON STREET, NO. 024-28 (POLICE BARRACKS & STATION)
Date: 1910-13
Nature: New. Contractor: G.W. Scott & Co. Clerk of Works: Robert McGuinness.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0932, B21/56, A08 (Sep 1910); IB 54, 17 Feb 1912, 118; 55, 18 Jan 1913, 58(illus.)`;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 204.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CHANCERY STREET, LAND REGISTRY
Date: 1911-13
Nature: New. 'Classic of the Georgian type'. Stone walls and reinforced concrete floors.  Builder: J. & R. Thompson, Fairview. Estimated cost: £14, 470. (SW corner slightly damaged in explosion at Four Courts, 1922. Interior refurbished, 1923.)
Refs: Drawing(s), also initialled H.G.L. and G.W.C, in NP, OPW collection, old refs B.9.3, B.9.4, B.6.2; IAA, PKS 0923, B21/71, A08 (Oct 1911); IB 54, 7 Dec 1912, 691; 55, 14 Aug,13 Sep 1913, 534,584,592(illus.); 56, 4 Jul 1914, 409,410(illus.); Building News105 19 Sep 1913, 419;  Irish Tuimes, 23 Aug 1923(illus.);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 99.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, PORTRANE, COASTGUARD STATION
Date: 1912
Nature: Proposed new station. By JHP? Estimated cost: £3,000.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0915, B21/78, A09 (May 1912)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, GLASNEVIN ROAD, BOTANIC GARDENS
Date: 1912
Nature: Caretaker's lodge. Contractor: B. Pemberton & Son.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0911, B21/81, B22/06

Building: CO. CORK, CORK, OLIVER PLUNKETT STREET, POST OFFICE
Date: 1913-14
Nature: Adds. & alts. Estimated cost £1,901
Refs: IAA, PKS 0947, A09 (Dec 1913)

Building: CO. CORK, CORK HEAD, POST OFFICE
Date: 1914
Nature: Adds. & alts.
Refs: IAA, PKS B22/08

Author Title Date Details
Pentland, John Howard 'Of faience and its design in the Irish Artizans' Exhibition' 1885 Dublin University Review (Aug 1885), 32-41.
Pentland, John Howard 'Potential of steam' 1895 TICEI 24 (1894-95), 47-56.
Pentland, John Howard 'The new profession of architectural engineering' 1905 IB 47, 25 Feb,11 Mar 1905, 118,150. (Lecture delivered to AAI, 3 Jan 1905.)
Pentland, John Howard 'Old Dublin Plaster-work' 1905 IB 47, 28 Jan 1905, 50. (Lecture delivered to Master Painters' Association of Ireland, Jan 1895.)