Search Results ... (467)
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Birr Shopfront - Griffins Bakery
Birr Shopfront - Griffins Bakery
Colour Photograph of Griffin's Bakery & Provisions , Main Street Birr. With pilasters emphasised by red paint and plaster moulding on upper edge of name facia.
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Birr Shopfront - -Antiquity-
Birr Shopfront - -Antiquity-
Colour Photograph of 19th Century Shopfront Main Street Birr. Note the double door, which is a standard feature in the traditional shopfront. When open each side fits neatly against the wall to form a porch.
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Artisan Cottage - Brendan Street, Birr with Ceramic Detail
Artisan Cottage - Brendan Street, Birr with Ceramic Detail
Brendan Street was built in the late 1880’s to link Market Square and the Catholic Church. Notable features on these cottages are three ceramic plaques each depicting the biblical scenes of the annunciation and the Madonna and Child.
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High Rise Office Block - Blanchardstown
High Rise Office Block - Blanchardstown
When one approaches the Blanchardstown Centre from any direction, one will almost certainly notice this 11 storey mainly glass fronted office block probing the skyline before other land marks come into view.Designed by Andrej Wejchert of A & D Wejchert & Partners who also designed the Blanchardstown Centre, the office tower was built and commissioned in 2002 for Green Property pIc, the company which developed the entire complex. Businessman Frank Dunne bought the property with the intention of locating the headquarters of supermarket giant Dunne's Stores there, but the company decided to locate elsewhere. Insurance giant 'Quinn Direct' now own this huge structure. This imposing building has an internal floor area of 105,000 sq. ft. which works out at 9,754 sq metres and the basement provides parking spaces for over 200 cars. Built on an elevated site on the south eastern side of the main retail park it forms a focal point for the entire area.
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Birr Castle
Birr Castle
Birr Castle the ancestral seat of the Parsons family since 1668. The influence on the Parsons family on the development of the town dates from 1620 when Sir Lawrence Parsons was first granted land in the area. Since then the Parsons family has been the singlemost dominant influence in the development of the demesne town of Parsonstown. Most of the castle dates from the time of Sir Lawrence. A dwelling house was built around the gatehouse of the original fortress. This forms the centre of the present castle. Situated in the heart of Gaelic Ireland the castle was besieged in 1642 by the Molloys, Coughlands and Ormonders and again in 1690 when, garrisoned by the Williamites it was besieged by the army of the Duke of Berwick. Important changes in the architecture of the castle took place in the early 19th century when Sir William Parsons the 2nd baronet changed the entrance to the house to face the park. The castle was heightened and crenelated in Gothic style. Also the great gothic saloon was added . Generations of Parsons from the 2nd Earl onwards have displayed an interest in architecture literature science and engineering. The 2nd Earl built the worlds first suspension bridge over the river Camcor in 1826. The third Earl William Parsons is famous for his interest in Science and Astronomy . He constructed and built a giant telescope on the estate. This active family interest resulted in many other significant engineering and scientific developments. The Parsons family might be described as “improving landlords “ ie an active interest was taken in improving agricultural methods and housing for the estate . They influenced the layout of the town through the provision of housing for estate workers and the development of magnificent Georgrian Squares at Oxmanstown and Cumberland(now Emmet Square) The town bore the name of the Parsons family until 192 When it was changed to Birr
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Birr Shopfront - D Dooley
Birr Shopfront - D Dooley
Colour photograph of 19th century shopfront
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Convent of Mercy Birr
Convent of Mercy Birr
This building was built as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy in Birr in 1840. It was designed by Agustus Welby Pugin (1812-1852) and built in stages over the period 1845-56. It is situated beside the Catholic Church on Wilmer Road Birr. This building is now the property of Offaly County Council. Pugin's most famous work may be the Houses of Parliament in London. He also designed St Michael's Church, Gorey, Co. Wexford. More information on Pugin can be seen at www.pugin.com
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Gable end view of Castle Street Distillery
Gable end view of Castle Street Distillery
Colour Photograph of Gable end of distillery at Castle Street
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Castle Street Distillery on banks of River Camcor ,Birr County Offaly
Castle Street Distillery on banks of River Camcor ,Birr County Offaly
Modern view of Castle Street Distillery Birr, on the banks of the Camcor river. Distillery building is now in a state of dilapidation. Industries such as milling and distilling developed along such watercourses throughout the midlands especially in the first part of the 19th century. In some instances the remnants of the industrial architecture remain of the landscape of today
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Lawrence Parsons , 2nd Earl of Rosse
Lawrence Parsons , 2nd Earl of Rosse
Photograph of Drawing of 2nd Earl of Rosse (1758-1841)