Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Engineer and architect. John Gervais Skipton, who was born in Co. Donegal on 28 November 1861, served his apprenticeship with WILLIAM HARTE WILLIAM HARTE , county surveyor of Co. Donegal, from 1877 until 1881. In 1880 he passed the Board of Public Works qualifying examination for assistant county surveyors and remained with Harte as an assistant county surveyor for Co. Donegal until July 1882. From October 1882 until 1891 he was engaged on railway work in the Cape, England, Venezuela and Siam. He had returned to Ireland by April 1892 when he was appointed diocesan architect for the united dioceses of Tuam, Kilmore and Killaloe in succession to RICHARD LANGRISHE. RICHARD LANGRISHE. (1)  His responsibilites were enlarged when the three dioceses were united with those of Elphin and  Ardagh, Killala and Achonry, Kilfenora, Clonfert and Kilmacduagh. He remained in post until at least 1927(2) and apparently  until his death in August 1929.(3)  At the time of the 1911 census he was unmarried and living with a sister in Athlone.



Inst CE: associate member by 1927.

Royal Geographical Society: fellow by 1927



Address: Northgate Street, Athlone, <=1897->=1900;  12 King Street, Athlone, 1911.



See WORKS.



References

Information about Skipton's career until 1891 is from his candidate's circular for admission as an associate member of Inst.CE.in Inst.CE archives, courtesy of Susannah Roberts. Other unattributed information is from 1911 census of Ireland, http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ (last visited Nov 2009).

(1) Irish Times, 26 Apr 1892..
(2) Irish Church Directory (1927); in this edition he is named as district architect for Killaloe West but not Killaloe East, and no architect is given for the dioceses of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh.
(3) Irish times, 6 Sep 1929.


10 work entries listed in chronological order for SKIPTON, JOHN GERVAIS


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Building: CO. CAVAN, KILLAYNE?, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1893
Nature: Extensive repairs and alterations, including repewing, new pulpit, prayer desk and lectern. New east window. Church reopened Dec 1893. Contractor: William Duncan, Dromahair.
Refs: Irish Times, 26 Dec 1893.

Building: CO. ROSCOMMON, KEADUE, CHURCH (CI, KILRONAN PARISH)
Date: 1894
Nature: Erection of chancel and vestry, repair of tower and erection of new tower roof, removal of gallery, &c.
Refs: RCB Library, Register of Consent to changes, 1894, 3/80 (information from Duncan Scarlett, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Mar 2011).

Building: CO. GALWAY, CLONFERT, CATHEDRAL OF ST BRENDAN (CI)
Date: 1894
Nature: JGS prepares plans for necessary repairs including repairs and reflooring of chancel, restoration of sacristy, repairs to tower, roof and buttresses.
Refs: Irish Times, 22 May 1894.

Building: CO. SLIGO, KILMACSHALGAN, CHURCH OF ST MARY (CI)
Date: 1896
Nature: Renovation including new chancel, pews, pulpit.  New reading desk and lectern presented by Captain Hillas. Reopened 29 Oct 1896 by Bishop of Tuam. Contractor: T. Merrick, Sligo.
Refs: Irish Times, 13 Nov 1896; IB 38, 15 Nov 1896, 236.

Building: CO. MAYO, FOXFORD, GLEBE HOUSE
Date: 1897
Nature: New glebe house and offices to be erected. First mooted, 1883, but funds required. Tenders invited, May 1897.
Refs: Irish Ecclesiastical Gazetter 25, no. 165, 3 March 1883., 180;  Irish Times, 22,24,26 May 1897; IB 39, 1 Jun 1897, 110.

Building: CO. GALWAY, ATHENRY, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1900
Nature: Tenders invited for rebuilding of spire &c.
Refs: IB 42, 1,15 May 1900, 356,361; B 78, 5 May 1900, 454

Building: CO. MAYO, INISHBIGGLE, CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY (CI)
Date: 1900
Nature: New church, erected with funds provided in will of Miss Blair, Sandymount, who 'left the residue of her estate, about £700, in charge of the Commissioners of Charitable Bequests, for the purpose of building a church in the poorest and most isolated spot in Ireland where Protestants could be found'. JKS, architect for diocese ofTuam, prepared designs for a 'remarkably handsome little church  and would accept no remuneration of any kind'.  Fitted up with pitch pine inside.  Bell donated by Bishop of Tuam. Church dedicated Population of island about 150, half of whom were Protestants.  Service held in new church by Bishop, 21 Oct 1900.
Refs: Irish Times, 5 Nov 1900; The History of Holy Trinity Church (Inishbiggle) in Col Mayo, http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/en/towns-villages/ballycroy/ballycroy-history-holy-trinity-church.html (last visited, Aug 2018).

Building: CO. CAVAN, DOWRA, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1902
Nature: JGS probably architect for removal of plaster ceiling and replacement with pitch pine ceiling (cf. work at Columbkille parish church in same diocese).
Refs: RCB Library, Register of Consent to changes, 1902, 5/82 (information from Duncan Scarlett, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Mar 2011).

Building: CO. LONGFORD, AUGHNACLIFFE, CHURCH OF ST THOMAS (CI, PARISH OF COLUMBKILLE)
Date: 1903
Nature: Removal of plaster ceiling and replacement with pitch pine ceiling; rmodelling of interior fittings and furniture.
Refs: RCB Library, Register of Consent to changes, 1906, 5/97 (information from Duncan Scarlett, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Mar 2011).

Building: CO. MAYO, TOURMAKEADY, GLEBE HOUSE
Date: 1908
Nature: New. Estimated cost: £1,254.
Refs: IAA, PKS 0903, B21/32, A08 (Jun 1908)