Windows

Wyatt Window, Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms were built circa 1794, at the junction of Dublin Street and Cox’s Lane. The Street façade is neo-classical in design with a pediment and cornice. The large Central Wyatt window is of particular significance. It is a tripartite sash window with narrower sidelights and a segmental arch. This style was made popular by the Wyatt family of Architects during the eighteenth century.

Carlow County Library

Wyatt Window, Assembly Rooms
Carlow County Library

Wyatt Window, Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms were built circa 1794, at the junction of Dublin Street and Cox’s Lane. The Street façade is neo-classical in design with a pediment and cornice. The large Central Wyatt window is of particular significance. It is a tripartite sash window with narrower sidelights and a segmental arch. This style was made popular by the Wyatt family of Architects during the eighteenth century.

Carlow County Library

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Gaol specifications 1827

The Gaol Specifications for Carlow Gaol by the architect John B. Keane date from 1827. They relate to the "several works" to be executed in building the additions and improvements to the Gaol of Carlow. This extract from what is an extensive and detailed document relates to the excavation of earthwork, including sinkings for a basement storey and area of the Governor's house. The architect also details works for the substructure of the prison building and sewers and refers to insulated walls and buildings. The former Carlow gaol is now a shopping centre having also been an engineering works owned by Thompsons. It occupies a prominent site with its main entrance being from Kennedy Avenue near its junction with Barrack Street.

Carlow County Library

Gaol specifications 1827
Carlow County Library

Gaol specifications 1827

The Gaol Specifications for Carlow Gaol by the architect John B. Keane date from 1827. They relate to the "several works" to be executed in building the additions and improvements to the Gaol of Carlow. This extract from what is an extensive and detailed document relates to the excavation of earthwork, including sinkings for a basement storey and area of the Governor's house. The architect also details works for the substructure of the prison building and sewers and refers to insulated walls and buildings. The former Carlow gaol is now a shopping centre having also been an engineering works owned by Thompsons. It occupies a prominent site with its main entrance being from Kennedy Avenue near its junction with Barrack Street.

Carlow County Library

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Windows are openings in the wall of a building for the admission of light and air. They are also an important architectural feature used by architects to enhance their designs. The arrangement of windows in a building and many different types of windows, has evolved over the years. There is a rich variety of window styles to be found in Carlow.

Sash windows are commonly found throughout the county. The large central Wyatt window of the Assembly Rooms is a tripartite sash window with narrower sidelights and a segmental arch incorporating a large fan light. This style of window was made popular by the Wyatt family of architects during the eighteenth century.

There is another type of window called a Diocletian Window, which can be found in other buildings in Carlow. An example can be seen over the gate at the entrance lodge to Carlow Gaol. It got its name from the type of windows used in the Baths of Diocletian in Rome. It has a rounded top, generally semi circular in shape and bronze framed panes of glass. A document entitled "Specifications for the Gaol, Carlow" (dated circa 1827) by the architect John B. Keane states:

"The diocletian window over the entrance gate of the Lodge to be constructed in upright and horizontal wrought iron gratings as just now specified for entrance gates and similarly spaced  with cast iron turn stiles forming mullions (-) these turnstiles to be three inches diameter strongly pivoted through the top and bottom horizontal rails of grating with washers etc. and firmly inserted in metal sockets inserted and leaded in the stone work under and over the same. The centre components of the window must open in two parts meeting in the centre or(!) rebated copping stiles of 1 ½ inch square iron with two strong iron bolts hasps and approved pendant locks at top and bottom ,these centre compartments of the window are to open outwards on the turnstiles before described - so as to occasionally form the sides of an execution balcony."

This word picture clearly shows how the ironwork was fitted to the stone surround. The iron railings were secured by pouring molten lead into prepared sockets in the stone. When the lead cooled the iron railing was held fast.