Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect, of York, England, for biography of whom see Howard Colvin, A Biographical dictionary of British architects 1600-1840 (4th edn., 2008), 221-228, and Brian Wragg (ed. Giles Worsley), The Life and works of John Carr of York ((York, 2000). John Carr provided designs for alterations to Malton House (now Coollattin Park), Co. Wicklow, for the fourth Earl Fitzwilliam in 1796. The house was burnt while work was in progress during the Rebellion of 1798, with the result that Carr was employed to design a new building, which was started in 1800. Carr also supplied a sketch for the new Flannel Hall in Rathdrum. He claimed also to have designed the obelisk which was erected for Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh, on Knox's Hill, Armagh, in 1782-3;  the design was also claimed by FRANCIS JOHNSTON FRANCIS JOHNSTON , who probably supervised the erection of the obelisk with considerable modifications. Carr also made a drawing for Robinson of a Roman Doric mausoleum. In 1799 he provided a sketch for the sessions house at Lismore for the 5th Duke of Devonshire.

The IAA holds a manuscript letter from Carr to Lord Fitzwilliam's steward, William Wainwright, of 20 May 1802 containing a section and details of Coollattin with notes on the main stair (Acc. 89/28).

See WORKS, for Irish work only.



References

 


5 work entries listed in chronological order for CARR, JOHN #


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Building: CO. WICKLOW, COOLLATTIN HOUSE
Date: 1776;1796-98;1799-1807
Nature: Suggested improvements, 1776.  Alts. to old house, burnt while work was in progress in 1798. Design for new house, retaining old kitchen. For 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. JC paid £400, 1807.
Refs: Letter from Carr to William Wainwright, 20 May 1802, containing sketch of proposed stair, in IAA, Acc.89/28; letters from John Carr to Lord Fitzwilliam, dated 9 and 22 January 1796, and sketch plans and elevations of Coollattin in Wentworth Woodhouse Papers, Sheffield City Library, WWM, MP 33; Coollattin Account Books, NLI MSS 6012-25;  Coollattin estate office papers;  Brian Wragg (ed. Giles Worsley), The Life and Works of John Carr of York (2000), 132-33, figs. 76,77.

Building: CO. ARMAGH, ARMAGH, PALACE DEMESNE, OBELISK
Date: 1782-3
Nature: 114 ft high. Erected by Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh, to commemorate the Duke of Northumberland to whom he owed his preferment and to provide employment. Design claimed by JC but apparently executed (and modified) by Thomas Cooley and Francis Johnston (after Cooley's death).
Refs: Sketch inscr. 'designed pr J.C. and built by the ld primate of all Ireland 1782' on rear flyleaf of Carr's copy of Roger Morris, Select Architecture (1755) in Sir John Soane's Museum, but see also 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 1; Brian Wragg (ed. Giles Worsley), The Life and Works of John Carr of York (2000), 103-4(illus.);  illus. of obelisk as executed in C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of County Armagh (UAHS, 1999), 267-8;  Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 136

Building: CO. WICKLOW, RATHDRUM, FLANNEL HALL
Date: 1789
Nature: JC provides sketch.
Refs: Brian Wragg (ed. Giles Worsley), The Life and Works of John Carr of York (2000), 194-5

Building: CO. WATERFORD, LISMORE, COURT HOUSE
Date: 1799
Nature: JC provides sketch for same, but not known whether sessions house as executed is to his design.
Refs: Letter from John Carr to John Heaton, Old Burlington St, 20 Aug 1799, in Chatsworth archives;  Brian Wragg (ed. Giles Worsley), The Life and Works of John Carr of York (2000), 175(illus.)

Building: CO. ARMAGH, ARMAGH, PALACE DEMESNE, MAUSOLEUM (PROPOSED)
Date: ?
Nature: Design for circular Roman Doric mausoleum.  Not executed.
Refs: Drawing in ArmaghPublic Library, Dwgs. Cat X.1.g;   Brian Wragg (ed. Giles Worsley), The Life and works of John Carr of York ((York, 2000), 103-4.