Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Selected: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE

Name: LEWIS, JAMES #
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1797a
Nature: Proposed casino, 'designed for the accommodation of parties of pleasure on the lake', for John Prendergast Smyth, MP.
Refs: J. Lewis, Original Designs in Architecture, Vol II (1797), Pls. 13,14

Name: NASH, JOHN
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1811ca-1817
Nature: Castellated. For John Prendergast Smyth (created 1st Viscount Gort, 1816) and his heir Col. Charles Vereker (2nd Viscount Gort, 1817). Work supervised by J. & G.R. Pain.  According to article in Weekly Irish Times, 7 Sep 1901, building was commenced by John Prendergast Smyth: 'The story goes that being enchanted with East Cowes Cstle, in the Isle of Wight, which belonged to, and had been designed by, Mr Nash, Gort decided to erect a similar building on the shores of his beautiful lake.'
Refs: J.B. Burke, A Visitation of the seats and arms of the noblemen and gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland (2nd ser., 1855), II, 189-91; Weekly Irish Times, 7 Sep 1901;  Howard Colvin, A Biographical dictionary of British architects 1600-1840 (4th edn, 2008), 736; Douglas Scott Richardson, Gothic Revival Architecture in Ireland (1983), 128; Michael Mansbridge, John Nash (1991), 168-9(illus.); David Lee & Debbie Jacobs, James Pain, architect (Limerick Civic Trust, 2005), 12-14(illus.),57-58(illus.)

Name: PAIN, JAMES
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1811ca-1817
Nature: With G.R. Pain appointed supervising architects (or builders?) on recommendation of John Nash. Suffered concussion and a broken collarbone after falling from height of 4 storeys when scaffolding gave way in Oct 1817. For John Prendergast-Smyth,  created 1st Viscount Gort, 1816.
Refs: APSD VI, P,6; G.R. Pain exhibited two views of the Castle and James Pain 'Entrance of the Demesne of Lough Cooter' at the Cork Society for Promoting the Fine Arts, 1820 (Nos. 74,77,82);

Name: SUTHERLAND, JOHN
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1824a
Nature: Demesne laid out by JS for Charles Vereker, 2nd Viscount Gort; 'the greater [part of the extensive gardens, and of the site of the offices, was blasted to a considerable depth out of the solid rock, and the gardens then filled with rich soil carried from distant spots, their walls being formed of limestone laborously cut to the size of bricks…the undulating sward, which extends from the castle towards th lake, is also to a great extene artificial' (Burke)
Refs: Hely Dutton, Statistical Survey of the County of Galway (1824), 56; J.B. Burke, Visitation of Seats and Arms (2nd ser., 1855), II, 189-91; Keith Lamb & Patrick Bowe, A History of Gardening in Ireland (National Botanic Gardens, 1995), 46

Name: CRACE, JOHN GREGORY *#
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1854ca
Nature: Decorative work and furnishing for Capt. George Gough
Refs: Design in RIBA, see Catalogue of the drawings of the Royal Institute of British Architects C-F (1972), 50; Robert S. Rait, The Story of an Irish property (1908), 106.

Name: UNKNOWN ARCHITECT
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1855ca
Nature: 'Loughcooter Castle...the property of General Lord Viscount Gough, is now undergoing vast alterations and improvements.   There is a new tower at present in a state of progression; there have been large numbers of artizans and labourers employed during the last four months, and from the extensive works about to be executed are likely to be constantly employed for the next two years.'
Refs: Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal 28 (Apr 1855), 141.

Name: ASHLIN, GEORGE COPPINGER
Building: CO. GALWAY, LOUGH CUTRA CASTLE
Date: 1898-99
Nature: 3-storey bayed addition on NW front, with museum on ground floor ('extension to accommodate the family collection of military trophies' Bence Jones). For 3rd Viscount Gough. Estimated cost: £3,600. (Extension demolished)
Refs: Drawing of proposed alts and adds (1898) in IAA, Ashlin & Coleman Collection, 76/1.205; IAA, PKS 0805, B18/35, A08 (Dec 1898); Mark Bence-Jones, Burke’s Guide to Country Houses. Volume I, Ireland. (London, 1978), 192.