GEORGIAN 1714 - 1837

Influences

During a period of over 120 years Georgian architecture changed and was influenced in a variety of ways. Styles such as Palladianism (from Andrea Palladio (1508-80) and fashions for Rococo, Chinoiserie, Gothick, Picturesque, Neoclassicism, Regency and Greek Revival as well as the influence of architects such as Robert Adam (1728-92) all played a role in the changing fashions. In Ireland a Florentine architect, Alessandro Galilei, designed Castletown, an Italian palace in the County Kildare countryside, in 1719, and launched Irish Palladianism. In Ulster, due to the unsettled state of affairs, the fashion for building in this style came later.

It is interesting to look at two terraces in Armagh built a century apart.

Vicar’s Hill, Armagh c.1726.
Richard Cassels was a German engineer who came to Ireland in the early years of the eighteenth century. He was influenced by the Palladian group in England who were so called because of their admiration for the work of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-80). ‘The style which he introduced is easily identified by the rather small windows, especially those nearest the eaves lines, set in wide areas of wall. He used also the doorways with alternate wide and narrow blocks of stone, a style named after James Gibbs, the Scottish architect who pioneered it.’
[Dixon, H. An Introduction to Ulster Architecture]

Charlemont Terrace, Armagh 1827-30.
Described as ‘superbly regal in scale’ this is a three-storey terrace of five houses, with basement and attic storeys, designed by William Murray. The finely carved ashlar stonework is locally quarried limestone. The façade is symmetrical and well proportioned. There are
fine railings and stone stairways leading up to doorcases with fanlights.
‘There is very little in all of Ireland that could match the style and quality of this exceptional terrace.’ [McKinstry et al The Buildings of Armagh]

In the eighteenth century it was considered to be part of the education of a young gentleman to undertake the Grand Tour. This involved travelling to countries such as Italy and France and in many cases acquiring collections of fine art. It also encouraged a sophisticated taste in architecture and, on their return, the introduction of styles to England and Ireland admired during their travels. These travels which lasted for a year or more would sometimes include invited guests, young artists or architects, who sketched buildings for their patrons.