Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Chief architect of the Northern Ireland Ministry of Finance, 1922-1942. Roland Ingleby Smith, who was born in Bolton, Lancashire, in 1882, was probably the son of James H. Smith, master draper, of Little Bolton. He is recorded as living with his mother, Hannah, in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, in the English census of 1891 and as an architect's pupil in the same town in the census of 1901. He joined the staff of the English Office of Works in 1908. In 1922, on the establishment of the Government of Northern Ireland, he was appointed chief architect and deputy director of works in the Ministry of Finance in Belfast under PERCY EDWARD SHEPHERD PERCY EDWARD SHEPHERD . He remained in the post for the rest of his life. He awarded the OBE in 1925.(1)  He also designed schools for the Larne Regional Education Committee. Towards the end of his life he suffered from poor health; he was about to retire when he died in the summer of 1942. He was succeeded as chief architect by CHARLES STEWART AGNEW. CHARLES STEWART AGNEW.

Many of the buildings which are attributed to Smith in the Irish Builder were designed by other architects in his department, in particular by THOMAS FRANCIS O. RIPPINGHAM. THOMAS FRANCIS O. RIPPINGHAM. (2) In his obituary of Smith in the Journal of the RIBA, REGINALD SHARMAN WILSHERE  REGINALD SHARMAN WILSHERE commented: 'Whilst there may not be many buildings of his own purely personal design - it was always a matter of real regret to him that his administrative duties left him so little scope for this - I feel his contribution of inspiring others will prove of more value, inasmuch as he has laid the foundations of a department having high ideals and a tradition of sound architectural achievement…'.

Society of Architects: member by 1923.(3)
RIBA: became licentiate on amalgamation of Society of Architects with RIBA, 1925;(4) elected fellow, 3 December 1928, having been proposed by ARNOLD THORNELY ARNOLD THORNELY , Sir R.J. Allison and RALPH KNOTT. RALPH KNOTT. (5)
Surveyors' Institution: fellow by November 1928;(6) chairman of Northern Ireland branch.; appointed representative of Northern Ireland branch on council, 1934.(7)
Royal Sanitary Institute: member by November 1928.(8)
RSUA: gives lecture on easements, February 1935.(9) hon. treasurer, 1940-1942.(10)

Addresses: Work: Ministry of Works, Department of Works and Public Buildings, 113 Royal Avenue, Belfast, 1923(11)->=1928.(12)
Home: 57 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast, 1928.(13)

See WORKS and BIBLIOGRAPHY. BIBLIOGRAPHY.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise attributed is from the obituaries of Smith in IB 84, 20 Jun 1942, 226, and RIBAJ 49 (Sep 1942), 204 (by R.S. Wilshere) and from Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 (RIBA 2001), II, 652, which cites another obituary (not seen) in 'Bdr v, 26 June 1942, p560'.

(1) Irish Times, 18 Jun 1925.
(2) C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of North County Down (UAHS, 2002), 196.
(3) Who's Who in Architecture 1923, 230.
(4) For the terms of this merger, see C. McArthur Butler, The Society of Architects (n.d.), 84-94.
(5) RIBAJ 36 (1928-29), 40, 130.
(6) See note 1, above.
(7) IB 76, 13 Jan 1934, 9.
(8) See note 1, above.
(9) IB 77, 9 Feb 1935, 94.
(10) List of past office bearers in RSUA Jubilee Year Book 1951-1952, 5.
(11) See note 3, above.
(12) See note 1, above.
(13) See note 1, above.


42 work entries listed in chronological order for SMITH, ROLAND INGLEBY


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Building: CO. ANTRIM, GREENMOUNT AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE (ANTRIM)
Date: 1925
Nature: New cottages and extensions.
Refs: AJ 62, 11 Nov 1925, 719

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CRUMLIN ROAD, HOUSES (016)
Date: 1925
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 67, 28 Nov 1925, 973

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CORPORATION STREET, NO. 024-42 (EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE)
Date: 1925-26
Nature: New, 2-storey block in brick with Portland stone dressings, quadrant wings.
Refs: IB 67, 10 Jan 1925, 26; 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1067; Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 89

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, STRANMILLIS ROAD, STRANMILLIS COLLEGE
Date: 1926-1930
Nature: New teacher training college, opened 1930. Tenders invited for erection of lecture block, May 1926. ornish purple brick with white jointing on Portland stone base. Mansard roof. Contractor: H. & J. Martin.
Refs: Irish Times, 6 May 1926 ('Tenders wanted');  IB 72, 10 May 1930, 410(illus.),412; 74, 19 Nov 1932, 1044;   Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 81 (no. 187, illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ELMWOOD AVENUE, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURE BUILDING
Date: 1926-29
Nature: Neo-Georgian. With R.M. Close. FS laid by Duke of Abercorn, 6 Jul 1928.(Probably by T.F.O. Rippingham, who added extra storey, 1952.)
Refs: IB 67, 10 Jan 1925, 26; 71, 7 Dec 1929, 1084; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 81 (no. 185, illus.); David Evans & Paul Larmour, Queen's: an architectural legacy (Institute of Irish Studies, 1995), 42-44(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, AINSWORTH AVENUE, HOUSES (016)
Date: 1929
Nature: 16 ex-servicemen's houses.
Refs: IB 71, 11 May 1929, 418

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BRANDON PARK, HOUSES (028)
Date: 1929
Nature: 28 ex-servicemen's houses.
Refs: IB 71, 11 May 1929, 418

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DEERPARK ROAD, HOUSES (030)
Date: 1929
Nature: 30 ex-servicemen's houses.
Refs: IB 71, 11 May 1929, 418

Building: CO. ANTRIM, EDEN (CARRICKFERGUS), PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Date: 1929
Nature: New school. Contractor: Henry Laverty & Sons, Belfast.
Refs: IB 71, 21 Dec 1929, 1135

Building: CO. DERRY, LIMAVADY, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Date: 1929
Nature: New school. Tenders invited, Jun 1929. Cost: £8483.
Refs: Irish Times, 27 Jun 1929;  IB 71, 23 Nov 1929, 1052

Building: CO. DOWN, BANGOR, SOUTHWELL ROAD, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Date: 1931
Nature: New automatic telephone exchange.Contract given to Isaac Copeland & Sons, Lower Windsor Ave, Belfast.
Refs: Architect & Building News 128, 16 Oct 1931, 75; IB 73, 24 Oct 1931, 929; Marcus Patton, Bangor: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1999), 195(illus.),197

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BARLEY PARK HOUSE TECHNICAL SCHOOL
Date: 1931
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 52, 17 Jan 1931, 52

Building: CO. DERRY, FAUGHAN, SCHOOL
Date: 1931
Nature: New school formally opened 5 Nov? 1931.
Refs: IB 73, 7 Nov 1931, 964

Building: CO. ANTRIM, LARNE, INVER ROAD (& GLYNN ROAD), SCHOOL
Date: 1931
Nature: New school. Contractor: H. Girvan & Sons, Larne (£9549).
Refs: IB 73, 5 Dec 1931, 1064

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, OSBORNE GARDENS, NO. 004
Date: 1931
Nature: New Neo-Georgian house for himself.
Refs: IB 73, 24 Oct 1931, 927; Paul Larmour, The Architectural Heritage of Malone & Stranmillis (UAHS, 1991), 144(illus.),146

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, OSBORNE GARDENS, NO. 002
Date: 1931
Nature: New Neo-Georgian house.
Refs: IB 73, 26 Sep,24 Oct 1931, 844,927; Paul Larmour, The Architectural Heritage of Malone & Stranmillis (UAHS, 1991), 146

Building: CO. DERRY, LIMAVADY, IRISH GREEN STREET, COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL
Date: 1931-32
Nature: New school in a 'simplified version of Wren Dutch, done in variegated red brick' (Girvan). Single storey with wooden cupola
Refs: W.D. Girvan, Historic Buildings in North Derry (UAHS, 1975), 15.17(no. 69)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLYPRIORMORE, PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Date: 1931a
Nature: New school opened Nov 1931. Cost: £3,500.
Refs: IB 73, 7 Nov 1931, 973

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CLARA AVENUE, HOUSES
Date: 1932
Nature: 10 houses in Clara Cresc and Clara Ave.
Refs: IB 74, 2 Jul 1932, 614

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CLARA CRESCENT, HOUSES
Date: 1932
Nature: 10 houses in Clara Cresc and Clara Ave.
Refs: IB 74, 2 Jul 1932, 614

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CROMAC STREET (& MAY STREET), NO. 001-15 (TELEPHONE HOUSE)
Date: 1932-34;1937
Nature: 7-storey telephone exchange with granite base and Portland stone front. Contract for superstructure given to Stewart & Partners, Belfast. Proposed extension costing £100,000, 1937. By T.F.O. Rippingham, under RIS.
Refs: Architect & Building News 129, 4 Mar 1832, 323; 132, 7 Oct 1932, 25; IB 71, 25 May 1929, 441; 73, 17 Jan,26 Sep,21 Nov 1931, 68,834,998; 74, 8 Oct 1932, 893(illus.), 910; 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085; 76, 20 Oct 1934, 890(or 892?); 77, 2 Nov 1935, 990; 79, 4 Sep 1937, 783; Roland Ingleby Smith, 'New Telephone Buildings, Belfast', Irish Architect and Builder I, No. 1 (Apr 1934), 17-18(illus.); 'Architecture Yesterday and Today', supplement to Irish Times, 21 Jun 1939, 38; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 88 (no. 204)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ORMEAU ROAD, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Date: 1933
Nature: New telephone exchange.
Refs: Rough site plan, 1931, PRONI, D2740/5 (see PRONI e-catalogue); IB 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085

Building: CO. FERMANAGH, BELLEEK, CUSTOMS STATION
Date: 1933
Nature: Single storey with tiled roof swept at eaves.
Refs: Note by Hugh Dixon in Buildings of Ireland files, citing ref. B.10.2.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LISBURN ROAD, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Date: 1933
Nature: New neo-Georgian. May be work of T.F. O. Rippingham. (Top storey added 1966)
Refs: IB 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085; Paul Larmour, The Architectural Heritage of Malone & Stranmillis (UAHS, 1991), 80

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, PAULETT AVENUE, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Date: 1933
Nature: New telephone exchange.
Refs: IB 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, SOMERTON ROAD, NO. 138 (TELEPHONE EXCHANGE)
Date: 1933
Nature: New telephone exchange.
Refs: IB 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CLIFTON PARK AVENUE, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Date: 1933
Nature: New telephone exchange.
Refs: IB 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, NEWTOWNARDS ROAD UPR (NEW STREET OFF), TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Date: 1933
Nature: New telephone exchange.
Refs: IB 75, 16 Dec 1933, 1085

Building: CO. TYRONE, MOY, POLICE BARRACKS
Date: 1934
Nature: New. Contractor: John Boyd & Sons, Dundonald.
Refs: IB 76, 13 Jan 1934, 32

Building: CO. ARMAGH, BLACKWATERSTOWN, POLICE BARRACKS
Date: 1934
Nature: New. Contractor: John Boyd & Sons, Dundonald.
Refs: IB 76, 13 Jan 1934, 32

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CREGAGH ROAD, POLICE BARRACKS
Date: 1934
Nature: New. Contractor: John Boyd & Sons, Dundonald.
Refs: IB 77, 2 Nov 1935, 990

Building: CO. FERMANAGH, TEMPO, POLICE BARRACKS
Date: 1934
Nature: New. Contractor: John Boyd & Sons, Dundonald.
Refs: IB 76, 13 Jan 1934, 32

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DIVIS STREET (& HASTINGS STREET), POLICE BARRACKS
Date: 1934-1935
Nature: New. Contractor: John Boyd & Sons. Dundonald/
Refs: IB 76, 16 Jun 1934, 517; 77, 2 Nov 1935, 990

Building: CO. DOWN, KILKEEL, POLICE BARRACKS
Date: 1935
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 77, 18 May 1935, 429

Building: CO. DOWN, BANGOR, POST OFFICE
Date: 1936
Nature: 2-storey, 7 bay, rustic brick over stone plinth. Opened 1936.
Refs: IB 78, 5 Sep 1936, 783

Building: CO. DOWN, HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE
Date: 1936
Nature: Reconstruction. Contractor: Henry Laverty & Sons, Cambridge St, Belfast.
Refs: IB 78, 8 Feb 1936, 117

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ORMEAU AVENUE, PREMISES
Date: 1936
Nature: Alts.
Refs: IB 78, 4 Apr 1936, 297

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, OSBORNE GARDENS, HOUSES (006)
Date: 1937
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 79, 1 Mzy 1937, 402

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, OSBORNE GARDENS, HOUSES (006)
Date: 1937
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 79, 1 May 1937, 402

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, HOLLAND DRIVE, HOUSES (032)
Date: 1937
Nature: New.
Refs: IB 79, 12 Jun 1937, 541

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, GLENRAVEL STREET, PREMISES
Date: 1939
Nature: Adds. & alts.
Refs: IB 81, 29 Apr 1939, 368

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, NEWTOWNARDS ROAD UPR (STORMONT), NORTHERN IRELAND PARLIAMENT
Date: 1942
Nature: Memorial at tomb of Lord Cragavon, consisting of large block of Portland stone, with arms on Cragavon peerage on one side. Completed after death of RIS.
Refs: IB 84, 15 Aug 1942, 294

Author Title Date Details
Smith, Roland Ingleby 'Lecture on Architecture' 1932 IB 74, 12 Mar 1932, 229. (Text, resumé or simply notice? This issue missing from IB 74 in IAA.)
Smith, Roland Ingleby 'New Telephone Buildings, Belfast' 1934 Irish Architect and Builder I, No. 1 (Apr 1934), 17-18.