Public Buildings

Assembly Rooms, Dublin Street, Carlow

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. A notable feature is the central, large Wyatt Window, with a decorated lintel and cornice. There is also a fine leaded fanlight and there are niches on either side of the window. There is a stepped entrance from the street.

Carlow County Library

Assembly Rooms, Dublin Street, Carlow
Carlow County Library

Assembly Rooms, Dublin Street, Carlow

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. A notable feature is the central, large Wyatt Window, with a decorated lintel and cornice. There is also a fine leaded fanlight and there are niches on either side of the window. There is a stepped entrance from the street.

Carlow County Library

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One of the earliest surviving examples of a public building in Carlow is the Assembly Rooms built circa 1794, at the junction of Dublin Street and Cox's Lane.

Its most notable feature is the Wyatt window which looks onto the street. Now over two hundred years old, it has seen many changes. While it was originally used for dinners and balls for the gentry of County Carlow, it later became a lecture theatre, concert hall and a place where political rallies were held.

In 1805, the property passed to Thomas Gurly Junior, great-grandfather of George Bernard Shaw. In 1919, Shaw donated the building (then in a neglected state) to the Technical Instruction Committee of County Carlow.

St Dympna's Hospital (former Lunatic Asylum, Carlow)

The Lunatic Asylum now St. Dympna’s Hospital is situated in extensive grounds between the Athy Road and the Old Dublin Road. It was built to a design by Francis Johnston. The central part of the Building is in a U plan of five bays, two storeys high. On either side are long wings terminating in advanced end bays. The outer bays of the central block have strip pilasters and pediments. The doorcase features scroll brackets supporting a curvilinear cornice. Over the centre is an octagonal clock tower and dome which are set on a square base. The main building material used was granite ashlar but later additions have limestone snecked walls with brick trim and parapets.

Carlow County Library

St Dympna's Hospital (former Lunatic Asylum, Carlow)
Carlow County Library

St Dympna's Hospital (former Lunatic Asylum, Carlow)

The Lunatic Asylum now St. Dympna’s Hospital is situated in extensive grounds between the Athy Road and the Old Dublin Road. It was built to a design by Francis Johnston. The central part of the Building is in a U plan of five bays, two storeys high. On either side are long wings terminating in advanced end bays. The outer bays of the central block have strip pilasters and pediments. The doorcase features scroll brackets supporting a curvilinear cornice. Over the centre is an octagonal clock tower and dome which are set on a square base. The main building material used was granite ashlar but later additions have limestone snecked walls with brick trim and parapets.

Carlow County Library

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Many important public buildings were built in Carlow in the first part of the nineteenth century. Work was carried out on the Gaol, the Courthouse and the Lunatic Asylum between 1827 and 1831. James Doyle (JKL), bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, was responsible for building the cathedral at College Street.

In 1827 the Grand Jury decided to construct a new Courthouse at the junction of Dublin Road and Athy Road at the north end of Dublin Street to replace the old Courthouse (now the site of the Deighton Hall).

The Courthouse was designed by William Vitruvius Morrison, who was also the architect for Oak Park House. The classical eight columned portico lends an imposing aspect to the building. It was the focus of legal and political turmoil almost immediately. When Daniel O'Connell visited the county in 1839 unruly scenes were reported in its vicinity.

The Gaol, Carlow

The Carlow Gaol stood upon a site of two statute acres. It was surrounded by a twenty-foot wall of limestone, coped with granite, and had an impressive entrance of cut granite. The property included a governor's four storied dwelling house, a female prison, a hospital and convalescent ward, debtors' and convicts' prisons, a two storied house of correction and untried prisoners' apartments. The Gaol also had two gatekeepers’ apartments, stables, straw and coach houses and a walled-in garden of about half an acre. The Gaol was later an engineering works and is currently a Shopping Centre. The Governor's house is now incorporated into a restaurant in the centre of the development. The granite entrance is still in use and features stags/animal heads which were salvaged from the 1930’s fire at Duckett’s Grove, Carlow.

Carlow County Library

The Gaol, Carlow
Carlow County Library

The Gaol, Carlow

The Carlow Gaol stood upon a site of two statute acres. It was surrounded by a twenty-foot wall of limestone, coped with granite, and had an impressive entrance of cut granite. The property included a governor's four storied dwelling house, a female prison, a hospital and convalescent ward, debtors' and convicts' prisons, a two storied house of correction and untried prisoners' apartments. The Gaol also had two gatekeepers’ apartments, stables, straw and coach houses and a walled-in garden of about half an acre. The Gaol was later an engineering works and is currently a Shopping Centre. The Governor's house is now incorporated into a restaurant in the centre of the development. The granite entrance is still in use and features stags/animal heads which were salvaged from the 1930’s fire at Duckett’s Grove, Carlow.

Carlow County Library

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The Grand Jury was also responsible for the detention of prisoners. In 1827 the Jury decided to carry out major renovations and improvements to the gaol site. Architect John B. Keane (d. 1859) was engaged to draw up plans.

The Lodge and entrance gate were subject to considerable remodelling. It included the construction of triangular piers and plinths with copings and parapets, all to be all executed in 'rough punctured granite stone of the several forms and dimensions exhibited by the drawings'. This gave it a monumental and solid appearance suited to its role as a gaol.

The builders were Arthur Williams and Gilbert Cockburne.

 

Railway station, Bagenalstown

The design for the Railway station at Bagenalstown (Muinebheag) is attributed to William Deane Butler (d. 1857). It is constructed in limestone and granite. The design incorporates a central block with pedimented breakfront, linking arcades and projecting terminal bays. The station platforms have an open shelter resting on paired granite ashlar piers. The station resembles an Italianate Palladian type building.

Carlow County Library

Railway station, Bagenalstown
Carlow County Library

Railway station, Bagenalstown

The design for the Railway station at Bagenalstown (Muinebheag) is attributed to William Deane Butler (d. 1857). It is constructed in limestone and granite. The design incorporates a central block with pedimented breakfront, linking arcades and projecting terminal bays. The station platforms have an open shelter resting on paired granite ashlar piers. The station resembles an Italianate Palladian type building.

Carlow County Library

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Railway station, Carlow

Carlow Railway Station was built in 1845 and was designed by Sir John MacNeill. It is located in Carlow Town, on the Dublin – Waterford line. The Station is an example of Jacobean Revival architecture. It comprises a two storey central block and two single storey wings. There are two platforms, a signal box and footbridge and the station also has offices and waiting areas. It is built of yellow brick with granite features particularly in the window dressings and drip moulds.

Carlow County Library

Railway station, Carlow
Carlow County Library

Railway station, Carlow

Carlow Railway Station was built in 1845 and was designed by Sir John MacNeill. It is located in Carlow Town, on the Dublin – Waterford line. The Station is an example of Jacobean Revival architecture. It comprises a two storey central block and two single storey wings. There are two platforms, a signal box and footbridge and the station also has offices and waiting areas. It is built of yellow brick with granite features particularly in the window dressings and drip moulds.

Carlow County Library

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The 1840's saw major expansion of the railways in Ireland. Carlow was soon incorporated into the national transport network with a further expansion of the line to Bagenalstown. The Railway Station at Carlow, designed in Jacobean style by Sir John MacNeill, was built in 1845. The steep gables and soaring chimneys give it the appearance of a small country house. It was located some distance from the centre of town and became an important station on the Dublin-Waterford line. Today it is a busy commuter station but retains its original architectural detail. It has two platforms, one of which has been recently extended. A commemorative plaque was erected to honour William Dargan, the great Irish pioneer railway engineer, who was born near Carlow and died in 1867.

The Railway station at Bagenalstown (Muinebheag) is attributed to William Deane Butler (d. 1857). It is constructed in limestone and granite. The design incorporates a central block with pedimented breakfront, linking arcades and projecting terminal bays. The station platforms have an open shelter resting on paired granite ashlar piers. The station resembles an Italianate Palladian type building.