Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect and engineer, of Belfast. Charles Lanyon was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, on 6 January 1813, the son of John Jenkinson Lanyon, a Royal Navy purser, and his wife Catherine Anne (née Mortimer). After attending school in Eastbourne, he was articled to JACOB OWEN JACOB OWEN , then clerk of works to the Royal Engineers Department in Portsmouth. When Owen was appointed architect to the Board of Works in Ireland, Lanyon moved with him to Dublin. Five years later, in 1837, he married Owen's daughter Elizabeth Helen (d. 1858). After completing his articles with Owen, Lanyon was appointed county surveyor for Co. Kildare in May 1834,(1) having gained second place in the first examination to be held for county surveyors in Ireland. At his own request he was transferred from Co. Kildare to Co. Antrim in 1836, following the resignation of the incumbent, THOMAS JACKSON WOODHOUSE THOMAS JACKSON WOODHOUSE . During the twenty-five years he held the Antrim surveyorship, he was responsible for many important works, including the construction of the Antrim Coast Road from Larne to Ballycastle, which had been designed by WILLIAM BALD  WILLIAM BALD and was completed in 1842. He designed the viaduct for the road at Glendun himself. At the beginning of 1860 he was one of a deputation of seven county surveyors who presented a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant requesting that recommendations for improved pay and a superannuation scheme for county surveyors should be brought into effect.(2) Lanyon himself remained a county surveyor until the end of 1861, when he resigned on being elected mayor of Belfast.(3)

While he was a county surveyor, Lanyon built up an extensive private architectural practice. He designed country houses, linen warehouses and protestant churches; as honorary architect to the Down and Connor Church Accommodation Society, he was responsible for the design of fourteen Church of Ireland churches in the northern counties. In 1854 or 1855 he took his assistant WILLIAM HENRY LYNN  WILLIAM HENRY LYNN into partnership,(4) whereupon the firm became known as LANYON & LANYON & amp; LYNN. In 1860 his elder son, JOHN LANYON  JOHN LANYON became the junior partner,(5) after which the firm was known as LANYON LYNN & LANYON LYNN & amp; LANYON LANYON . At about the same time the partners opened a branch office in Dublin.(6) On 19 November 1863 Lanyon was elected president of the newly reconstituted RIAI, a role about which he held some reservations. On 18 November he wrote from Belfast to the secretary, his cousin JAMES HIGGINS OWEN JAMES HIGGINS OWEN , to say that he was too busy preparing plans to be brought before Parliament to attend the meeting to be held the following day; although he was flattered to have been nominated for President, he was 'inclined to think that the interest of the Institute would be more encouraged by the selection of some member of the profession who would be more locally connected therewith'.(7) Nevertheless he remained president until 1868, when he was knighted in recognition of his services to architecture.(8) To mark the occasion a dinner was held in his honour by the members of the RIAI and RHA at the Society of Antient Concert Rooms in Dublin.(9) The partnership with Lynn was terminated in July 1872 in contentious circumstances which led to Lynn's taking the Lanyons to court.(10) Not long afterwards, in about 1874, Lanyon effectively retired from architecture, leaving John Lanyon to carry on the practice.(11)

In his private capacity as an engineer, Lanyon was principally involved in railway and road work.(12) During the 1840s he was acting engineer to the Londonderry & Coleraine Railway. He was also engineer to Belfast & Ballymena Railway; which opened in 1851 and was renamed the Belfast & Northern Counties Railway in 1860; in about 1864 he was appointed consulting engineer, in 1868 deputy chairman,(13) and in 1875 chairman. He was engineer-in-chief of the Belfast, Holywood & Bangor Railway, from 1862(14) and a director from 1869. During the same period he was engineer to the Carrickfergus & Larne Railway, of which likewise he was made a director in 1872. During the 1850s he was also surveyor to four turnpike trusts: the Belfast and Crumlin, the Belfast and Carrick, the Belfast and Lisburn, and the Belfast and the Antrim, his salary from the four combined amounting to £180 per annum.(15)

From the 1860s onwards Lanyon was prominent in the municipal and public life of Belfast and Co. Antrim. He was a member of Belfast town council and Mayor in 1862.(16) From 1866 until 1868 he was the Conservative member of parliament for Belfast. He was a Justice of the Peace for both Co. Antrim and for Belfast, a Deputy Leutenant of Co. Antrim and High Sheriff of the county in 1876. He sat on many Boards in Belfast and Co. Antrim, including the Prisons Board, the Lunatic Asylum Board and the Harbour Board, and was president of the Board of the Government School of Art in Belfast. He was also a keen Freemason, and held the position of Grand Master of the Province of Antrim for many years.

Lanyon, who is described as having the 'courtesy, amiable disposition, and demeanour…of a polished gentleman',(17) died at home after an illness lasting several months on 31 May 1889(18) and was buried in the churchyard of Knockbreda parish church, Belfast. He left an estate of £53,785.1s.3d.(19) His second surviving son, William Owen Lanyon, a soldier and colonial administrator, who was knighted in 1880, died two years before him. After his death, his house, The Abbey, Whiteabbey, which he had designed for Richard Davison, MP, circa 1850, was converted into a hydropathic establishment(20) and then into a sanatorium. His granddaughter, Mrs Peacocke placed a baptistery pew to his memory in Carnmoney parish Church, Whitehouse - a church which he had designed - in 1930 or 1931.(21)

Besides Lynn, Lanyon's pupils and assistants, both engineers and architects, included JAMES BELL[2] JAMES BELL[2] , ALEXANDER MITCHELL BURDEN ALEXANDER MITCHELL BURDEN , EDMUND KEVILLE DIXON EDMUND KEVILLE DIXON , THOMAS DREW THOMAS DREW , ABRAHAM COATES FITZ-GIBBON ABRAHAM COATES FITZ-GIBBON , GEORGE HIGGIN GEORGE HIGGIN , MORTIMER H. LINKLATER MORTIMER H. LINKLATER , JAMES HIGGINS OWEN JAMES HIGGINS OWEN , THOMAS TURNER  THOMAS TURNER and ROBERT YOUNG.  ROBERT YOUNG.

The Irish Architectural Archive holds unsigned alternative schemes for Straffan House, Co. Kildare, which may be attributed to Charles Lanyon on stylistic grounds, in theMcCurdy & Mitchell collection, Acc. 79/17 (see D.J. Griffin & S. Lincoln, Drawings from the Irish Architectural Archive (IAA, 1993), No. 31).  He may be the 'Lanyon, J., Esq. Architect' who was a subscriber to William Cavaler's Specimens of Gothic Architecture (London, 1835; 2nd edition, 1839).

ICEI:(22)  founder member, 1835;(23)  council member 1845,1848-50,1857-59; vice-president, 1861;(24) no longer a member by 1870.
Inst.CE: elected member, 24 March 1840.
RIAI:(25) council member, 1851-1861; president of reorganized institute, 1864-1868;(26) leads deputation to Lord Lieutenant, Earl of Carlisle, to invite him to become patron of the Institute, June 1863;(27) offers prize of £10 for villa design, 1866;(28) address to Lord Lieutanant, Marquess of Abercorn, 1866;(29) vice-president, 1868-78; resolution of council to express regret for his death, 3 June 1889.(30)
RHA: member under new charter, 1860 until death.(31)
RIBA: elected fellow, 16 May 1864;(32) member of council and, for one session, vice-president.(33)
Belfast Architectural Association: president, 1874-75.(34)
RSAI: proposed for membership by SAMSON CARTER  SAMSON CARTER and elected, 1 September 1852.(35)
Belfast Society of Fine Arts: vice-president, 1850.

Addresses:(36) Work: 1 Upper Queen Street, Belfast, 1852-1861;(37) 2 Queen Street, 1862-1869; 11 Howard Street, 1870-74.(38)
Home:(39) Fisherwick Place; 2 Donegall Square West, 1839-1850ca; 10 Wellington Place, 1850ca-1862; The Abbey, Whiteabbey, 1862 until death.
Dublin: Work: 64 Upper Sackville St, 1861-74.
London: 5 Charles Street, St James's, 1870.(40)

See WORKS and BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY . Works from 1854 to 1859 appear under LANYON & LANYON & amp; LYNN and from 1860 to 1872 under LANYON LYNN & LANYON LYNN & amp; LANYON. LANYON.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from the entry on Lanyon in the Dictionary of National Biography, the obituary in Min.Proc.Inst.CE 98 (1999-89), 391-393, and from Paul Larmour's articles, 'Sir Charles Lanyon', Irish Arts ReviewYearbook 1989-90, 200-206, and 'The father of Ulster architecture', Perspective 2.no. 5 (May-Jun 1994), 53-54. Other obituaries are in Belfast Newsletter, 3 Jun 1889, and The Times, 5 Jun 1889. There are portraits of Lanyon is in the City Hall, Belfast and Queen's University, Belfast, the latter reproduced by Larmour in his article in Irish Arts Review Yearbook. Larmour reproduces a photograph of Lanyon as an older man in his article in Perspective.

(1) Dublin Evening Post, 20 May 1834.
(2) DB 2, 1 Feb 1860, 205.
(3) DB 3, 1 Dec 1861, 697; 4, 1 Jan 1862, 7; his retirement was marked by the presentation of a testimonial and two solid silver candelabra, ornamented with the figures of Science, Art, Justice, Prudence, Liberality and Success, see DB 5, 1 Jan 1863, 4.
(4) Paul Larmour, 'Sir Charles Lanyon', Irish Arts Review Yearbook 6 (1989-90), 201, gives the date as 1854, but the account of the case of Lynn v. Lanyon & Lanyon in IB 16, 15 Nov 1874, 319, says 1855.
(5) References to the firm of Lanyon, Lynn & Lanyon start in this year, although, according to the account of the case of Lynn v. Lanyon & Lanyon cited in note 3, above, formal articles of partnership were not drawn up until 1863.
(6) DB 3, 1 Dec 1861, 697.
(7) RIAI council meeting minutes, 19 Nov 1863, 130.
(8) Freeman's Journal, 18 Jan 1868;  B 26, 18 Jan 1868, 51; IB 10, 15 Jan 1868, 24.
(9) IB 10, 15 Feb 1868, 47.
(10) IB 16, 15 Nov 1874, 319; Architect 12, 21 Nov 1874, 279; B 34, 4 Mar 1876, 223.
(11) Paul Larmour, 'The Father of Ulster architecture', Perspective, (May/Jun 1994), 54, suggests that by 1860 Lanyon was devoting himself chiefly to public and civic life and 'appears to have left most of the architectural designing in the office to his partners'.
(12) Dates of Lanyon's railway appointments are from Jones's transcripts from Thom's directories unless otherwise stated.
(13) IB 10, 1 Jan 1868, 14.
(14) DB 4, 1 Jul 1862, 172.
(15) House of Commons Parliamentary Papers, 22 Mar 1856, 42,45 (B.O'D.).
(16) See DB 4, 1 Dec 1862, for dispute over Lanyon's burgess right.
(17) DB 3, 1 Dec 1861, 697.
(18) IB 31, 15 Jun 1889, gives date as 2 June 1889; Lanyon's death is also noted in B 56, 8 Jun 1889, 432.
(19) IB 31, 15 Sep 1889, 238.  Details of the will are given in Irish Times, 5 Sep 1889.
(20) IB 39, 15 Apr 1897, 82; 41, 1 Dec 1899, 200.
(21) IB 73, 17 Jan 1931, 54.
(22) Jones transcripts from ICEI lists of officers.
(23) Photocopy of transcript of minutes of first meeting of Engineers' Society of Ireland, 6 Aug 1835, in IAA, Jones File F73.
(24) DB 3, 15 Jan 1861,1862.
(25) Jones transcripts from RIAI lists of officers and Thom's directories.
(26) RIAI council meeting minute, 30 Mar 1863, DB 5, 1 Jun 1863, 96; 3; B 21, 25 Apr 1863, 303.
(27) B 21, 13 Jun 1863, 429.
(28) B 24, 24 Mar 1866, 218.
(29) RIAI council meeting minutes, 15 Aug 1866, 57.
(30) RIAI council meeting minutes, 3 Jun 1889, 273; IB 31, 3 Jun 1889, 273.
(31) W.G. Strickland, A Dictionary of Irish Artists (1913), 629.
(32) Directory of British Architects 1834-1900 (RIBA, 1993), 543.
(33) Jones, citing ?RIBAJ 21 (1870-71), ?.
(34) Architect 12, 4 Jul 1874, 4; B 33, 8 May 1875, 421.
(35) JRSAI 2 (1852-53), 203.
(36) From Jones transcripts from Thom's directories unless otherwise stated.
(37) Belfast & Province of Ulster Directory 1852 and 1861-62.
(38) See note 30, above; see also IB 16, 15 Nov 1874, 319.
(39) From 'Donegall Square in the 19th century', Northern Whig & Belfast Post, 8 Apr 1936.
(40) RIAI Sessional Papers1863-1870, list of members.


75 work entries listed in chronological order for LANYON, CHARLES (SIR)


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Building: CO. KILDARE, NAAS, VICTORIA BRIDGE
Date: 1834-1836
Nature: 'possibly designed by the young Lanyon…in his first job as county surveyor for Kildare' IO'Dwyer).
Refs: Frederick O'Dwyer, The Architecture of Deane and Woodward (Cork University Press, 1997), 556,n.40

Building: CO. DERRY, DRENAGH
Date: 1836
Nature: New Italianate mansion, for Marcus Conolly McCausland.
Refs: W.D. Girvan, Historic Buildings in North Derry (UAHS, 1975), 21-24(illus.); Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 249-50

Building: CO. ANTRIM, GLENDUN, VIADUCT
Date: 1837-39
Nature: Contractor: Ritchie.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Glens of Antrim (UAHS, 1971), 40,43(illus.); Paul Larmour, 'Sir Charles Lanyon', Irish Arts Review Yearbook 1989-90, 201(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, LARNE, PETTY SESSION S HOUSE & POLICE BARRACK
Date: 1838
Nature: Proposed new petty sessions house and police barrack.
Refs: Plans, elevation and section, 1838, in PRONI, D2977/37/2/1/1 (see PRONI e-catalogue).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, STRANMILLIS ROAD, BOTANIC GARDEN
Date: 1839-1840
Nature: Original design for Palm House by CL.
Refs: A.J. Rowan & C.E.B. Brett, Queen's University (UAHS, revised edition 1975), 31-33(illus.); Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 9 (no. 16, illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, TYRELLA, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (CI)
Date: 1839-1842
Nature: New church, incorporating parts of W and N walls of earlier church. Aid received from Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. FS laid 31 Jul 1839 by Hugh Parker Montgomery of Tyrella House; consecrated 16 Sep 1842.
Refs: James O’Laverty, An historical account of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Ancient and Modern (1878), ?; Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 157(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, HOLLYMOUNT, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1839-40
Nature: Built largely at expense of Lady Hariett Forde, with assistance from Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. FS laid Easter Tuesday 1839 by Matthew Willam Forde. Preacher: Rev. T. Drew (father of Thomas Drew). Opened 1 Mar 1840. Consecrated 1 Aug 1841.
Refs: Downpatrick Recorder, 7 Mar 1840 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44);  Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 123(illus.);  exterior also illus in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 191.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, GLENARM CASTLE
Date: 1840
Nature: CL responsible for completion of William Vitruvius Morrison's scheme for gothicization of house for Edmund McDonnell. Builders: John Robinson, Thomas Kelly and John Brown.
Refs: Anne Casement, 'Charles Lanyon at Glenarm', Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies 11 (2008), 238-251.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, WHITEHOUSE, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (CI)
Date: 1840
Nature: New chapel-of-ease to accommodate 360 in parish of Carnmoney. site donated by John Thomson of Low-wood, Belfast. Opened by licence 28 Jul 1840. Consecrated 29 Jun 1843.  £716.16s. granted by Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. (Transepts, chapel added later.)
Refs: Christian Examiner, 1, no. 8, 1 Aug 1840, 255;   B.H. Blacker, 'Sketches of Irish Churches' in Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette 14, no. 152, 23 Nov 1872, 12; C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of County Antrim (UAHS, 1996), 55(illus.);  exterior ALSO illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 229.

Building: CO. DOWN, KILWARLIN UPPER, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (CI)
Date: 1840
Nature: New Gothic church. Major share of cost borne by Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. Opened 28 Nov 1840; consecrated 9 Dec 1842.
Refs: Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 143-144(illus.);  exterior also illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013),  194.


Building: CO. ANTRIM, MUCKAMORE, CHURCH OF ST JUDE (CI)
Date: 1840-1
Nature: New church to seat 300 people for Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. Nearly completed in Aug 1840.
Refs: Christian Examiner, 1, no. 8, 1 Aug 1840, 255;  Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013),  228 (illus.).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, GLYNN, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (CI)
Date: 1840-1841
Nature: New church, with bellcote. For Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society (Similar to St Columba's.Raloo.) Opened, 1840. Consecrated, 20 Aug 1841.
Refs: Christian Examiner 2, no. 3, 1 Mar 1841, 96;  Longford Journal 7 Aug 1841;  C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of County Antrim (UAHS, 1996), 56-57(illus.); Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 226(illus.).

Building: CO. DOWN, KILWARLIN LOWER, CHURCH OF ST JAMES (CI)
Date: 1840-41
Nature: Built as chapel of ease in parish of Hillsborough. Funds supplied by Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. Opened Aug 1841 and consecrated by Bishop Mant, 3(B of I files) or 30 (Rankin)Dec 1842.
Refs: Church Examiner 2, no. 3, 1 Mar 1841, 96;  Catalogue of Bradshaw Collection, Cambridge University Library, Vol. II, 808 (B of I); Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), Part 1, 142(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, GLENO, CHURCH OF ST COLUMBA (CI, RALOO PARISH)
Date: 1840-42
Nature: New church endowed by Lord Dungannon and built by Dpwn & Connor Church Accommodation Society of Down & Connor. Consecrated 1842. Similar to St John's church, Glynn, Co. Antrim.
Refs: S.C. Hall, Ireland III (1841), 121n; C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of County Antrim (UAHS, 1996), 57(illus.);  Clergy of Connor (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1993), 178

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, QUEEN'S BRIDGE
Date: 1840-43
Nature: New bridge of 5 arches replacing old 21-arch bridge over River Lagan. By CL with John Frazer. Foundations laid 1841, when estimated cost was £27,000. Contractor: Francis Ritchie.
Refs: 8th Annual Report of Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) (1840), 23; J.P. Lawson, Gazetteer of Ireland (1842), 149; Brett, 29; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 52 (no. 117, illus.); Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 270; Gordon Wheeler, 'John Lynn - Architect/Contractor/Engineer', Lecale Miscellany (1997), 44

Building: CO. ANTRIM, KILLAGAN, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1840a
Nature: New church, consecrated 24 or 25 Nov 1840. For Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society.
Refs: Christian Examiner I, No. 12, 1 Dec 1840, 383;  Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 223.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, STONEYFORD, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (CI)
Date: 1841
Nature: New church on land given by Marquess of Hertford:  3-bay nave with porch and bellcote at W end.  For Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society?   Cost £554.  Licensed for worship, 6 Oct 1841. Consecrated, 28 Oct 1874..
Refs: Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013),, 228(illus.).

Building: CO. DOWN, TOLLYMORE PARK
Date: 1841
Nature: ?Work on portico and chapel.
Refs: Information given to F. O'Dwyer by Earl of Roden, source not specified.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, DRUMTULLAGH, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1841
Nature: New chapel-of-ease in Derrykeighan parish. Almost identical to Craigs church. Gothic hall with baptistery on S balancing porch on N. For Church Accommodation Society of Down & Connor.Land granted by James Leslie, of Leslie Hill. Consecrated, 1841.
Refs: Christian Examiner 2, no. 8, 1 Aug 1841, 255;  Longford Journal, 7 Aug 1841; W.D. Girvan, North Antrim (UAHS, 1972), 34,36(illus.).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, CRAIGS, PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
Date: 1841
Nature: 'Probably by Charles Lanyon'.
Refs: W.D. Girvan & A.J. Rowan, West Antrim (UAHS, 1970), 29

Building: CO. ANTRIM, CRAIGS, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1841
Nature: New church for Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. Cost: £800. Consecrated 14 Jul 1841.
Refs: Church Examiner 2, no. 3, 1 Mar 1841, 96;  W.D. Girvan & A.J. Rowan, West Antrim (UAHS, 1970), 28;  C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of County Antrim (UAHS, 1996), 56(illus.); Clergy of Connor (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1993), 135

Building: CO. DERRY, COLERAINE, LAUREL HILL HOUSE
Date: 1841-43
Nature: New front, for Henry Kyle.
Refs: W.D. Girvan, Coleraine & Portstewart (UAHS, 1972), 28,29(illus.); Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 213

Building: CO. DOWN, GROOMSPORT, CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1842
Nature: New church, built as chapel-of-ease to Bangor with funds from Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. First service held 11 Dec 1842 but church not consecrated until 2 Feb 1850.
Refs: Letters from James Sands re the rebuilding of Groomsport House and building of Groomsport church, 1841-1848, in PRONI, Perceval-Maxwell Papers, D1556 (see PRONI e-catalogue, Perceval-Maxwell Papers);  Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 117-118(illus.);  Marcus Patton, Bangor: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1999), 65;  exterior illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 192.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, LISBURN, HILLSBOROUGH ROAD, CHRIST CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1842
Nature: New chapel-of-ease. Gothic. Black basalt, with 70 ft tower. Opened for worship, 20 Nov 1842.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, D. Dunleath, Historic Buildings…in the borough of Lisburn (UAHS, 1969), 6;  Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013),  226 (illus.).
 

Building: CO. ANTRIM, CARRICKFERGUS, GOVERNOR'S PLACE, GILL'S ALMSHOUSES
Date: 1842
Nature: Tudor revival, with symmetrical 5-bay front. For Trustees of Alderman Henry Gill. Lanyon's original plans of 1839 altered at request of Trustees to provide loft.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of County Antrim (UAHS, 1996), 231(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, HOLYWOOD, CHURCH OF SS. PHILIP & JAMES (CI)
Date: 1842-44
Nature: New church. FS laid 24 Aug 1842 by Lord Dungannon. Consecrated 30 Apr 1844.
Refs: Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996),126(illus.).


Building: CO. ANTRIM, CLOUGH, CHURCH OF ST JAMES (CI, DUNAGHY PARISH)
Date: 1842a
Nature: New church. Consecrated 21 Dec 1842.
Refs: Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013),  223.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, UPPER DONEGALL STREET (OFF), TRINITY CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1843
Nature: For Down & Connor Church Accommodation Society. (Destroyed in blitz.)
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 29, Pl. 21

Building: CO. DOWN, KIRCUBBIN, CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY (CI)
Date: 1843
Nature: Greek Revival. Built by Ward family.
Refs: Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 145(illus.).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CRUMLIN ROAD, COUNTY GAOL
Date: 1843-45;1849-50
Nature: New prison in Italian Mannerist style; plan based on Pentonville. Enlarged 1849-50.
Refs: B 2, 23 Mar 1844, 162; APSD I,B 57; C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 31; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 12 (no. 23)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LISBURN ROAD, ULSTER INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION OF DEAF, DUMB & BLIND
Date: 1844-45
Nature: New schoo for Ulster Society for Promotin ghte education of Deaf & Dumb & Blind Children.l. Elizabethan style. Cost: £8,000. Opened to pupils, 24 Sep 1845. (School moved to new premises in Jordanstown in 1962 and old premises demolished. 1963.)
Refs: Armagh Guardian, 30 Sep 1845; APSD 1, B, 57; IB 102, 23 Jul 1960, 557; 104, 7 Jul 1962, 527; A.J. Rowan & C.E.B. Brett, Queen's University (UAHS, revised edition 1975), 25(illus.),26; C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 30(illus.).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WARING STREET, BELFAST BANK
Date: 1845
Nature: Remodelling of old Exchange building in Italian Renaissance palazzo style.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 30, Pl. 22; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 14 (no. 24, illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, BALLYWALTER PARK
Date: 1846
Nature: New Italianate mansion, for Andrew Mulholland.
Refs: Alistair Rowan, 'Ballywalter Park, Co. Down' , Country Life 141, 2,9 Mar 1967, 456-460.516-520 (illus.);  Ballywalter Park (UAHS), 1985), 13-27(illus.).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, UPPER CRESCENT, NO. 007-16
Date: 1846
Nature: Perhaps by CL. Builder: James Corry.
Refs: A.J. Rowan & C.E.B. Brett, Queen's University (UAHS, revised edition 1975), 11; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 12 (no. 22)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLYMENA, BALLYMONEY ROAD, COURT HOUSE
Date: 1846a
Nature: Tudor Revival. court house and adjoining hotel 'probably by Lanyon' (Brett). Completed 1846.
Refs: 14th Annual Report of Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) (1846), 25; W.D. Girvan, R. Oram, A. Rowan, Historic Buildings…in Antrim & Ballymena (UAHS, 1969), 19(no. 25); C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the Province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 28,31(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, DUNLUCE, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Date: 1847
Nature: 'The present church, which was designed by Charles Lanyon, was opened on 27 Jul 1847...' (Kirkpatrick) This church is similar to Limavady First Presbyterian church, which according to Rowan is 'apparently an adaptation of Charles Lanyon's design for the Church Accommodation Society at Hollymount, Co. Down, and at Carrick Rocks' (Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979),351.
Refs: Laurence Kirkpatrick, Presbyterians in Ireland: an illustrated history (Booklink, 2006), 325(illus.).


Building: CO. ANTRIM, DUNDARAVE (BUSHMILLS)
Date: 1847
Nature: Italianate mansion, for Sir Edmund Macnaghten.
Refs: W.D. Girvan, North Antrim (UAHS, 1972), 24-26(illus.); Ballywalter Park (UAHS, 1985), 19-20

Building: CO. DOWN, CASTLEWELLAN, CHURCH OF ST PAUL (CI)
Date: 1847-1853
Nature: New Gothic cruciform church to seat 800 with pyramidal spire.  Built by Earl of Annesley.  Said to be 'progressing towards completion' in Aug 1851 but not consecrated until 1 Dec 1853. Suprintending architect: James Murphy, pupil of Lanyon. Contractor: Richard Cherry, Loughgall. Interior stuccowork by James Tighe, Dundrum.  Cost £7,000. (Larmour thinks church was probably designed by W.H.Lynn.)
Refs: Letters re design and erection of church from Rev. J.R. Moore to Charles Lanyon and others, 1847-51, in PRONI, Annesley Papers, 'Letter book for Lord Annesley's affairs', D1854/6/3 (see PRONI e-catalogue);  Armagh Guardian, 23 Aug 1851; Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal 14, 6 Sep 1851, 480; Slater's Irish Directory (1856); Paul Larmour, 'The father of Ulster architecture', Perspectives (May/Jun 1994), 54;  Fred Rankin, ed., Clergy of Down and Dromore (Ulster Historical Foundation, 1996), 171(illus.);  exterior also illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 197.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, UNIVERSITY ROAD, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
Date: 1847-49
Nature: Clerk of Works: W.H. Lynn. Builder: Cranston Gregg, Belfast. Master mason: Robert McCredie (Lanyon's maternal great-grandfather). Elevation and plans published in |16th Annual Report of Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland)| (1848), criticised in |Ecclesioligist| 9, Apr 1849, 290-91.
Refs: 15th Annual Report of Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) (1847), 6; 16th Report (1848), 15, with plans and el;evation in Appendix B, 4,5,6 (repr. F. O'Dwyer, 'Building empires: architecture, politics and the Board of Works 1760-1860', Irish Architectural and Decorative Studies 5 (2002), Pl.39); 17th Report(1849), 25; B 8, 14 Sep 1850, 436; 9, 18 Jan,1 Feb 1851, 42,43(illus.)77; APSD 1, B, 57; Aston Webb, 'Leaves from the Life of the late W.H. Lynn, RHA', RIBAJ 23 (1916-17), 92; A.J. Rowan & C.E.B. Brett, Queen's University (UAHS, revised edition 1975), 4(illus.),19,20(illus.); C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 32; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 15 (no. 25, illus.); David Evans & Paul Larmour, Queen's: an architectural legacy (Institute of Irish Studies, 1995), 1-19(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CRUMLIN ROAD, COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Date: 1848-50
Nature: New Neo-Palladian court house with tetrastyle Corinthian portico,. Builder: James Carlisle. Cost £22,000.
Refs: APSD I,B 57; C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 29,31, Pl. 24; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 16 (no. 26(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, HOLYWOOD, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (NON-SUBSCRIBING)
Date: 1849
Nature: Classical.
Refs: Paul Larmour, 'The Father of Ulster architecture', Perspective (May-Jun 1994), 54(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, KILLYLEAGH CASTLE
Date: 1849-51
Nature: Designs for castle 'as lately restored' exh. RHA 1861. Cost: £8,000. Builders: D. & J. Fulton. Stonework: Kelly & McCready. For Archibald Rowan Hamilton.
Refs: RHA 1861, no. 613; DB 3, 15 May 1861, 508; 6, 15 Jan 1863 ,6(illus.); Alistair Rowan, 'Killyleagh Castle, Co. Down - II', Country Life 147, 26 Mar 1970, 776-777(illus.)

Building: CO. ARMAGH, ARMAGH, ENGLISH STREET, BELFAST BANK
Date: 1850-51
Nature: New bank of 'very ornamental' design.  Contractors: Mssrs. Whelan & Scott.  Clerk of Works: James Gargan. Front of freestone 'obtained from the Rev. Mr Pratt's quarry, Glaslough...very nearly if not quiite equalling Portland Stone'. Opened for business, Jul 1851.
Refs: Armagh Guardian, 17 Jun 1850,2 Sep 1850;  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 127-8.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, WHITEABBEY, ABBEY (THE)
Date: 1850ca
Nature: New Italianate house for Richard Davison, MP.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Co. Antrim (1996), 111(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LISBURN ROAD, UNION WORKHOUSE
Date: 1850ca
Nature: Gate lodge, 'reputedly by Charles Lanyon'.
Refs: A.J. Rowan & C.E.B. Brett, Queen's University (UAHS, revised edition 1975), 26

Building: CO. DERRY, BALLYSCULLION HOUSE
Date: 1850ca
Nature: Rowan says 'probably' by CL, for Admiral Sir Henry William Bruce.
Refs: Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 138

Building: CO. ARMAGH, PORTADOWN, TOWN HALL
Date: 1851
Nature: New. Tenders invited, Apr 1851. FS laid Aug 1851.
Refs: Armagh Guardian, 21 Apr 1851; B 9, 20 Sep 1851, 600.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, VICTORIA STREET, NO. 016 (NORTHERN BANK)
Date: 1851-52
Nature: New head office. Classical of Portland stone on granite plinth. Opened Summer 1852. Cost £14,000.
Refs: B 9, 15 Oct 1851, 679; 10, 3 Apr,21 Aug 1852, 219,537; APSD, I, B, 57; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 17 (no. 28); Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 321

Building: CO. DOWN, WARINGSTOWN, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Date: 1851-53
Nature: Classical; just built, and schoolhouse lately added, Jul 1853.
Refs: B 11, 2 Jul 1853, 424; Paul Larmour, 'The father of Ulster architecture', Perspectives (May/Jun 1994), 54;  Laurence Kirkpatrick, Presbyterians in Ireland: an illustrated history (Booklink, 2006),  121(illus.)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, COLLEGE GREEN, TRINITY COLLEGE, MUSEUM
Date: 1852
Nature: CcL one of architects invited to compete for design of same.
Refs: Trinity College muniments, MUN/P/2/322/4

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DONEGALL PASS, MAGDALENE ASYLUM SCHOOL
Date: 1852
Nature: New school in connection with Magdalene Asylum church. Gothic style. Expected cost about £1,300. Begun by Apr 1852; 'in progress of completion', Jan 1853.Builder: Robinson.
Refs: B 10, 17 Apr 1852, 245; 11, 1 Jan 1853, 8

Building: CO. ANTRIM, ANTRIM, BRIDEWELL
Date: 1852
Nature: New bridewell to be erected.
Refs: B 10, 3 Apr 1852, 219

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BEDFORD STREET, NO. 009-15 (R. & J. WORKMAN)
Date: 1852
Nature: Four-storey, stone linen warehouse, demolished 1975ca.
Refs: Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 25

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LOWER CRESCENT
Date: 1852
Nature: Larmour suggests attribution to CL. Builder: James Corry.
Refs: Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 12 (no. 22)

Building: CO. DERRY, DERRY, SHIPQUAY STREET, BELFAST BANK
Date: 1852-53
Nature: New bank. Builders: Scott, Omagh, and Whelman, Armagh.
Refs: B 10, 13 Nov 1852, 720; 11, 22 Jan 1853, 60; W.S. Ferguson, A.J. Rowan, J.J. Tracey, City of Derry (UAHS, 1970), 23; Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 395, Pl.98

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, COLLEGE PARK, PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE
Date: 1852-53
Nature: New building in Palladian style. Engaged Roman Doric columns. Scrabo freestone. Foundations being prepared April 1852; opened 1855. Expected cost about £6,000. Builder: John Corry. (Used as Parliament House for 3 years from 1921.)
Refs: B 10, 3 Jan,21 Feb,17 Apr,7 Aug 1852, 13,123,245,495,503(illus.); IB 63, 13 Aug 1921, 549; APSD I, B, 57; A.J. Rowan & C.E.B. Brett, Queen's University (UAHS, revised edition 1975), 23(illus.),2422-24(illus.); C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 34, Pl. 35; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 17 (no. 30, illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, FALLS ROAD, DISTRICT LUNATIC ASYLUM
Date: 1852-53
Nature: Extension of frontage to east and west to provide additional patient accommodation, laundry, kitchen, increased accommodation for resident physician. Builder: Doolin.
Refs: Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal 14, 19 Jul 1851, 306; B 10, 21 Feb 1852, 123; 11, 1 Jan 1853, 8; 14, 9 Feb 1856, 74; 24th Annual Report of Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) (1855), 26

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, COLLEGE GREEN, TRINITY COLLEGE, FRONT SQUARE, CAMPANILE
Date: 1852-54
Nature: 1st stone laid 1 Dec 1852. Statues of Divinity, Science, Medicine and Law by Joseph Robinson Kirk. Cost: £3,500. Builder: Henry Kingsmill.
Refs: Trinity College muniments, MUN/P/2/322; B 10, 30 Apr,17 Jul 1852, 269,460; 11, 1 Jan,24 Sep,29 Oct 1853, 8,611,672; 12, 18 Nov 1854, 594; 13, 19 May 1855, 234,235(illus.); DB 4, 1 Aug 1862, 200; R.B. McDowell, 'th Campanile - A Centenary', Trinity, no. 4 (Michaelmas 1952), 21-23;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 399-400.



Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, MALONE ROAD, SCHOOL
Date: 1853
Nature: New school 'in progress'.
Refs: B 11, 1 Jan 1853, 8

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WELLINGTON PLACE, WAREHOUSE (MSSRS HENRY)
Date: 1853
Nature: Large red brick warehouse with sandstone dressings in course of erection for Mssrs. Henry. First storey all of chiselled stone. Contractor: Mr Fulton.
Refs: B 11, 8 Jan 1853, 28

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, FALLS ROAD, METHODIST CHURCH
Date: 1853
Nature: New church. FS laid Jun? 1853. Contractor: James Carlisle. (Demolished 1966.)
Refs: B 11, 2 Jul 1853, 424

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LIGONIEL ROAD (BALLYSILLAN), ST MARK'S CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1854-56
Nature: Small Gothic Revival church. FS laid 25 May 1854. Builder: James Carlisle. Consecrated 1 May 1856. (Larmour says probably designed by W.H. Lynn.)
Refs: John Frederick MacNeice, The church of Ireland in Belfast (Belfast, 1931), 21;  C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 36; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 46 (no. 98)

Building: CO. TYRONE, COOKSTOWN, GLENAVON HOUSE
Date: 1855
Nature: Italianate house, for Thomas Adair 'to judge by its appearance, either by Lanyon or by Thomas Turner, once his principal clerk'(Rowan).
Refs: Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 218

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, COLLEGE SQUARE, STATUE OF EARL OF BELFAST
Date: 1855
Nature: Plinth designed by CL.
Refs: B 13, 10 Nov 1855, 542; C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 57

Building: CO. DERRY, COLERAINE, RAILWAY ROAD, RAILWAY STATION
Date: 1855
Nature: Italianate. Opened 7 Nov 1855. For Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine & Portrush Junction Railway Co.
Refs: Ulster Journal of Archaeology 27, 161; W.D. Girvan, Coleraine & Portstewart (UAHS, 1972), 17(illus.),18; Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 208

Building: CO. ANTRIM, RANDALSTOWN, RAILWAY VIADUCT
Date: 1855ca
Nature: 8-arched, basalt and brick viaduct, for Belfast & Ballymena Railway Co. Contractor: William Dargan.
Refs: R.C. Cox & M.H. Gould, Civil Engineering Heritage: Ireland (1998), 175-6(illus.)

Building: CO. DOWN, BANBRIDGE, RAILWAY STATION
Date: 1859
Nature: -
Refs: DB 1, 1 Mar 1859, 34

Building: CO. KILDARE, STRAFFAN HOUSE
Date: 1860s
Nature: Proposed remodelling, for Nathaniel Barton. Not carried out.
Refs: Unsigned alternative schemes attributed to Charles Lanyon on stylistic grounds in IAA, McCurdy & Mitchell Collection, Straffan drawings, Bin VI, Roll 36b (Acc. 79/17), see D.J. Griffin & S. Lincoln, Drawings from the Irish Architectural Archive (IAA, 1993), 62(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ORMEAU BRIDGE
Date: 1862
Nature: New 4-arched bridge designed by CL (Co. Surveyor for Antrim) with Henry Smyth (Co. Surveyor for N Down). Begun Jan 1861. Cost: £15,000.6s. Contractors: O'Connor & Co.(or McLaughlin & Harvey?)
Refs: DB 4, 1 Jun 1862, 141; 31st Annual Report of Commissioners of Public Works (Ireland) (1862), 19

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WATERWORKS (WOODBURN SCHEME)
Date: 1866
Nature: Tenders received.
Refs: DB 8, 1 Feb 1866, 42; Min.Proc.Inst.CE 98 (1999-89), 392

Building: CO. MONAGHAN, HILTON PARK
Date: 1871
Nature: CL visits house re rebuilding of house destroyed by fire in 1803 (but William Hague chosen as architect for same). Client: John Madden.
Refs: PRONI Madden MSS, D/3465, see Peter Collins, County Monaghan Sources in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (1998), 117.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, LARNE, RAILWAY STATION
Date: ?
Nature: New station for Carrickfergus & Larne Railway Co. (later Midland Railway, then Belfast & Northern Counties Railway).
Refs: Journal of Ulster Archaeology 27, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, GALGORM CASTLE
Date: ?
Nature: CL consulted about stability of W wall by Lord Mountcashell.
Refs: D. Girvan, R. Oram, A. Rowan, Antrim & Ballymena (UAHS, 1969), 22

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUN LAOGHAIRE, CROFTON ROAD, ROYAL ST GEORGE YACHT CLUB
Date: ?
Nature: Proposed remodelling.
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), 20

Building: CO. DERRY, BELLARENA
Date: ?
Nature: Alts. including new staircase and front porch.
Refs: W.D. Girvan, Historic Buildings in North Derry (UAHS, 1975), 42-45(illus.); Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 141

Author Title Date Details
Larmour, Paul 'Sir Charles Lanyon' 1989 Irish Arts Review Yearbook 1989, 200-206
Larmour, Paul 'The father of Ulster architecture' 1994 Perspective (May/Jun 1994), 53-54