Source: https://www.dia.ie/architects/view/2833/JOHNSTON,+FRANCIS
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 04:38:20+00:00

Document:
By the early years of the new century, Johnston was well established in Dublin. He won two important competitions: for the new church of St George in Hardwicke Place in 1801 and for the conversion of the Irish Parliament House into the Bank of Ireland in 1803. He was officially appointed architect to the Bank of Ireland on 30 May 1803(8) and the following year he was allowed an assistant.(9) He continued to be paid by the bank until 1825 or 1826.(10) In 1805 he was appointed architect to the Board of Works in succession to ROBERT WOODGATE ROBERT WOODGATE . His work for the Board, though often very minor, included the Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle, 1807-14, and the General Post Office, 1814-18.(11) JAMES SHIEL JAMES SHIEL may have been a clerk in his office during the earlier part of this period. In 1822 his cousin WILLIAM MURRAY WILLIAM MURRAY was appointed his assistant;(12) the following year he was said to be ill with a rheumatic complaint.(13) He retired on half pay in 1826(14) and was replaced by Murray on 14 February 1827.(13) As architect to the Commissioners for the Erection of Lunatic Asylums, it was with Murray that he designed the general plan for the new asylums which were erected during the 1820s in Belfast, Carlow, Armagh and Derry.
By the end of his career Johnston was a wealthy man. He formed a collection of paintings, sculpture, books, objets d'art and curiosities, which became well-known and was much visited.(15) He was generous in his benefactions, which included the gift of a peal of eight bells to St George's Church.(16) He was one of the fourteen founder members of the the Royal Hibernian Academy, incorporated in 1821, and succeeded William Ashford as president in 1824. At his own expense he designed and built the Academy's premises in Abbey Street, which he leased to the Academy in perpetuity for a nominal rent. The building was destroyed by fire in 1916; only the upper storeys of the façade survive (2008).
Johnston's movable property has been dispersed in various sales, the first being held in Dublin 24 March-5 April 1845.(20) Other Johnston property was sold at Kilmore, Co. Armagh, the seat of George Hamilton Johnston, a collateral descendant, in June 1920,(21) and later by his son, Richard Graves Johnston. A list of Johnston's library is in the Royal Irish Academy. A bust of Johnston by EDWARD SMYTH EDWARD SMYTH and JOHN SMYTH JOHN SMYTH is in the Ulster Museum;(22) a plaster cast of this bust was presented to the RIAI by ALBERT EDWARD MURRAY ALBERT EDWARD MURRAY in 1924. The portrait by Thomas Clement Thompson which was engraved by H. Meyer in 1823 is also in the Ulster Museum, as is a group portrait of Johnston, his wife and two nephews by Martin Cregan.(23) The portraits of Johnston and his wife by Cregan which were in the Royal Hibernian Academy were destroyed in the fire of 1916.(24) According to the DNB, Johnston was also drawn or painted by the miniaturist, William Comerford.
Johnston subscribed for sixteen copies of William Stitt's The Practical Architect's Ready Assistant; or Builder's Complete Companion (Dublin, 1819), which was dedicated to him by Stitt as the person 'who first inculcated to my young mind, the early and salutary lesson of improvement in my profession'.
In addition to William Murray, Johnston's pupils and assistants included FREDERICK DARLEY  FREDERICK DARLEY  and JOHN WILLIAMSON  JOHN WILLIAMSON  ..
Addresses :(27) Work: Lower Castle Yard, 1820-1827.
Home: 6 Eccles Street, 1795-1807; 34 Eccles Street, 1808-20; 48 Eccles Street, 1821-23; 55 Eccles Street, 1824-27.
See WORK and BIBLIOGRAPHY. BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from Johnston's own account of his life and works in a letter to J.N. Brewer, 29 Feb 1820, published in BIGS 7, no. 1 (Jan-Mar 1963), from the memoir of Johnston by William Murray, published in IB 58, 8 Apr 1916, 171, and from B. Goslin, 'A history and …catalogue of the Murray Collection' (MA thesis, 1990; copy in IAA), 4-10. The other principal accounts of Johnston's life and works are in APSD , J, 18, Oxford DNB, P. Henchy, 'Francis Johnston, Architect, 1760-1829', Dublin Historical Record 11, no. 1 (Dec 1949-Feb 1950), 1-16, and E.McParland, 'Francis Johnston, Architect, 1760-1829', BIGS 12, nos. 3 & 4 (Jul-Dec 1969), 61-139.
(1) Genealogical information about the Johnston family was supplied by Johnston's collateral descendant, the late Ms. Caroline Treffgarne.
(2) Henchy, op. cit. 1; it was Johnston who prevented the tapestries depicting the Battle of the Boyne and Siege of Derry in the old House of Lords from being removed from the walls (Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 533).
(3) His design for the Siena Convent, Drogheda, dated June 1892, bears the address of Rokeby Hall.
(4) Drogheda Corporation Book, 8 Oct 1787 (microfilm in NLI) (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(5) According to Murray's memoir Johnston moved to Dublin in 1793.
(6) Notes on Johnston's early career are in the correspondence of Nathaniel Johnston, Bordeaux, 1787-1799, in PRONI wine trade accounts. (information from Nicholas Sheaff).
(8) Bank of Ireland minutes, 30 May 1803 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(9) Bank of Ireland minutes, 14 Feb 1804 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(10) Bank of Ireland minutes, Vol. 9 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(11) Johnston's work for the Board of Works, is detailed in Board of Works letter and minute books; see also F. O'Dwyer, 'The Architecture of the Board of Public Works 1831-1923', Public Works (AAI, 1987), 10-11.
(12) NA/SPO CSORP1827/335 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(13) NA/SPO CSORP 1823/6075 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(14) NA/SPO CSORP 1829/9067 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(15) Peter Pearson, The Deeps, Co. Wexford, has a printed entry ticket to the collection.
(16) Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin Almanac (1847), 'Annals of Dublin', 1 Dec 1828.
(17) E. Catterson Smith, 'What Dublin owes to Francis Johnston', The Lady of the House, 15 Jan 1902, 3.
(18) Her sister married Johnston's elder brother Richard.
(19) 'Statement of the Louch family from their transplanting to Ireland in 17--' by Fitzgibbon Louch, Jun 1894 (copy in IAA).
(20) A copy of the sale catalogue of Johnston's 'Inimitable and Vast Assemblage of Paintings, Bronzes, China, Statuary, and Other Valuable Works of Art' is in the NLI (photocopy in IAA).
(21) Building News 118, 25 Jun 1920, 490.
(22) John Smyth's bust of Mrs Johnston is in the same collection; see Paula Murphy, Nineteenth-Century Irish Sculpture: Native Genius Reaffirmed (Yale University Press: New Haven & London, 2010), 49(illus.).
(23) A portion of his architectural library was sold 1n 1843. (Sale catalogue in RIA, photocopy of handwritten transcript from same in IAA, Jones file J16, Part 2.).
(24) For these portraits, see Eileen Black, A Catalogue of the Permanent Collection: 3: Irish Oil Paintings 1572-c.1830 (Ulster Museum, 1991), 22-23,71.
(25) IB 58, 13 May 1916, 213; photograph of portrait of Johnston in IAA.
(26) The title page is inscribed 'Francis Johnson [sic] 1790'.
(27) As given in Wilson's Dublin Directory. It is difficult to know how accurate the directory is or how often the street was renumbered. Johnston and his brother Andrew built Nos. 30-33 Eccles Street circa 1822 and sold off nos. 30 and 31, retaining nos. 32 and 33. Is the 55 in the directories a misprint for 33? Johnston's own house later became 64 Eccles Street, see Irish Times, 14 Sep 1889 (sale advertisement) , and 8 Apr 1903, and IB 45, 23 Apr 1903, 1703.
Nature: 2-storey gabled house, for Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Nature: Erected on Knox's Hill for Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh. Was FJ executant architect, for design by John Carr?
Refs: 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 1; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 136.
Nature: Supervised erection of Cooley's tower which became unstable, and responsible for replacement. Also work on interior. For Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Refs: Design for ceilings, s. & d. June 1784, and for weathervane on top of spire, s. & d. July 1784, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 76,76a (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 60-61); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 1; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 99-100.
Nature: Design attr. to Thomas Cooley but building carried out by FJ. For Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Nature: Completion of interior, for Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Refs: Drawing in IAA, Murray Collection, no. 3 (see Murray Collection catalogue, p. 42-3); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 1; The Architecture of Ireland in Drawings and Paintings, (NGI, 1975), no. 34(illus.),35; R. McKinstry, R. Oram, R. Weatherup & P. Wilson, The Buildings of Armagh (UAHS, 1992), 171-173; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 135-6, Pl. 44.
Nature: Built according to FJ's design though position of entrance altered either at time of building or later. For Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh (on Rokeby Hall estate).
Refs: 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 4; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 262; E.McP files cite also H.G. Tempest, Notes on the Parish Church of St Nicholas; illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 125.
Nature: New limestone building, inscr. 'The Heavens declare the Glory of God'. For Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Refs: James Stuart, Historical Memoirs of the City of Armagh (2nd edition, 1900), ?; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 1; APSA, A, 98-99; R. McKinstry, R. Oram, R. Weatherup, P. Wilson, The Buildings of Armagh (UAHS, 1992), 85-88; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 124-5.
Nature: FJ signs estimate for steeple, 1792.
Nature: 7-bay 4-storey block with 3-bay wings (?wings not executed until 1840s). FS laid 11 Jun 1792.
Nature: 7-bay, 4-storey block, for Dominican sisters.
Nature: ?For Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Nature: Series of model farms on estate designed by FJ for Archbishop Robinson.
Nature: New classical house, for Blayney Townley Balfour.
Nature: Proposed improvements., including new curved back stairs, enlargement of windows. Unexecuted or only partly executed.
Nature: Battlemented gateway, for William Burton Conyngham.
Nature: Finished hall, staircase and entrance, for William Burton Conyngham.
Refs: Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland (1846), III, 247; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 2; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 474; exterior illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 318.
Refs: Drawings, dating between 1798 and 1804 in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 564-620 (see Murray collection catalogue, pp. 185-197); Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 583,585-586; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 642-644.
Nature: Palatial 3-bay, 7-bay house, for Nathaniel Montgomery Moore. Ultimate cost said to have been £70,000, which effectively bankrupted the client, who retired to France in 1815. House dismantled 1821.
Nature: T-plan, Gothic. Later much altered and demolished in 1958.
Nature: Plain gabled building with doorcase flanked by 2 Doric columns.
Nature: Enlargement of existing house of 1758, for James Sanderson. FS laid Jun 1799. Work overseen by John McEssor.
Refs: Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 285.
Nature: Proposed dairy, 1799; adds and Gothicization., 1800-1803; rustic cottage, 1802 (dem. after fire, 2000). For Robert, 3rd Earl of Lanesborough.
Nature: Completion of church, including interior decoration, entrance porch and tower (only partly built). Contractor: James Lever, North Strand. Opened 7 (or 8?) Mar 1807. Cost (including organ) about £22,000.
Refs: Drawings in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 759-773 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 227-238; Bolger MSS NA/PRO 1A 58 126,127; Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 511-512; Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette 2, no. 7 (15 Jan 1860), 145-6; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; 'Annals of Dublin' in Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin Almanac (1847); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 469.
Nature: Gothic castle, for Charles William Bury, 1st Earl of Charleville.
Refs: Drawings, 1 signed and dated 1801, in IAA, Murray Collection catalogue, nos. 197-201 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 93-96); unsigned undated project for rooms in NE tower by FJ sold among Charleville Castle drawings at Christie's,11 Dec 1985, lot. 18; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 4; M. Girouard, 'Charleville Forest', Country Life 132, 27 Sep 1962, 710-14.
Nature: 'ver likely from the hand of Francis Johnston'.
Nature: 'a capital mansion house, built about 50years ago, according to the plans and under the superintendance of Mr Johnston, the Architect' (Irish Times); 'possibly by Francis Johnston' (Casey & Rowan).
Nature: Enlarged by FJ, for Walter Dowdall.
Nature: Addition of barrack ranges..
Refs: Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 305.
Nature: Additions, for Thomas Bligh.
Nature: Remodelling of and addition of new block to existing house, for Elias Corbally.
Nature: FJ winner of competition, after having already submitted a design which vestry approved. FS laid May 1802. Church opened 1814. FJ and his wife presented bells, 1828 (see Irish Times, 31 Oct 1889).. Church closed, 1990.
Refs: Designs, dated 1800-1814, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 7-52 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 162-171); Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 515; Papers relating to St George's Church, Dublin…Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be Printed, 29 April 1825, 9;19-21 (copy in IAA, RP.D.130.10); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Dublin Penny Journal 1, 10 Nov 1832, 153; The Architecture of Ireland in Drawings and Paintings, (NGI, 1975), no. 38(illus.); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 120-122.
Nature: Gothicization, new stable court. For Earl of Longford.
Nature: Design attr. to FJ on basis of style and calligraphy.
Nature: Simple 2-storey, 3-bay building.
Nature: Design for battlemented bridge over River Blackwater, for 1st Marquess of Headfort.
Refs: Plan and elevation, signed and dated 1802, in IAA, Guinness Collection, Acc. 06/068.3/3/6.
Nature: Large addition, for John James Maxwell, 2nd Earl of Farnham.
Refs: Drawings, some signed and dated 1802 and 1803, in IAA, Murray collection, nos.850-865 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 255-258; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 4; Jeremy Musson, 'Farnham House, Co. Cavan', Country Life 197, 2 Jan 2003, 26-31(illus.); Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 33,333.
Nature: Gothicization and enlargement, for Joshua Edward Cooper. Also Gothic gateway.
Nature: Enlargement., for 8th Earl of Fingall.
Nature: 4 designs prepared by FJ, the 4th of which was approved by the governors in 1807. Plain, 9-bay 2-storey design.
Nature: FJ consulted, 1802, and certifies accounts for repairs, 1805. Corporation votes £700 twoards repairing, altering and furnishing same, 1910.
Refs: Drogheda Corporation Book, 30 Apr 1802, 25 Jul 1805 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); John D'Alton, History of Drogheda (1844), ?
Nature: Plans for proposed Gothicisation, for Marquess of Headfort. 'which he approved of, paid me for, but never put into execution'.
Nature: FJ consulted about improvements to same by Lady Anne Dawson.
Nature: Enlargement and reconstruction of existing house in castellated style, for Francis Synge, MP.
Nature: Architect for conversion from Parliament House into bank, though not the winner of the architectural competition. (Competition announced, Aug 1802.) Designed cash office on site of entrance hall and ante-room of House of Commons.
Refs: Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 532-3,'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Dublin Penny Journal 3 (1834-35), xi; E.McParland, 'The Bank and the Visual Arts', in F.S.L. Lyons, ed., Bicentenary Essays Bank of Ireland 1783-1983 (1983), 101-116; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 380,383,386,Pl.50,51.
Nature: For Mr Yates. Attr. to FJ on basis of calligraphy and style.
Refs: 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; C. O'Connor & J. O'Regan, eds., Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1837-1987 (AAI, 1987), 11; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 674,679.
Refs: Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 680-681.
Nature: Addition of Bedford Asylum for children.
Nature: Proposed design for ceiling of principal dining room.
Nature: Wings; infirmary, for Governors of Hibernian School for Soldiers' Children.
Refs: Drawings dated between 1808 and 1812 in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 717-752 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 218-224); copy of etter from Francis Johnston to Governors, re building costs, 30 Oct 1810, in PRONI D207/20/30; Francis Johnston, 'Hibernian School Statement respecting the Building Estimates and Expenditure from the commencement in May 1806 to January 5, 1811', PRONI, D207/20/32.; Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 570,606; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; PRONI D207/20/30,32 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 302.
Refs: Photostat of plan of glebe house for Loughgilly in NLI, AD 1951-2027; Frank Mitchell, 'The evolution of Townley Hall', BIGS 30 (1987), 18; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 485-486.
Nature: FJ submits plan for treasury to Board of Works (?not carried out). New W gate and curtain wall, guard house and office block (Block M).
Refs: Board of Works Minute Book 2, 10 Mar 1807 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 361.
Nature: Conversion of Powerscourt House into Stamp Office, including extensions at rear (i.e. 3 sides of courtyard).
Refs: Drawings in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 816-821 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 244-5; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 511.
Nature: FS laid 15 Feb 1807. Opened for worship on Christmas Day, 1814.
Refs: 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Board of Works Minute Book 2, 10 Mar 1807 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); 'Annals of Dublin' in Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin Almanac (1847); article by Rev. H.J. Lawlor, on Dublin Castle Chapel in JRSAI 12 or 13 (noted in IB 65, 3 Nov 1923); IB 17, 15 Feb 1875, 45; 21, 1 Apr 1879, 111; 38, 1 Mar, 1 Jul 1896, 48,140; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 358-60, Pl.52; Judith Hill, '"A stile more suited to Vice-regal splendor": The building of the Chapel Royal, 1807-14' in Myles Campbell & William Derham, eds., The Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle: An Architectural History (Dublin, Office of Public Works, 2015), 39-53 (illus.).
Nature: Proposed design. Infirmary built (to FJ's design?), 1809.
Refs: E.McP files, citing plans and elevations, signed 'F.J.' and dated 1808 in PRONI D562/4611; McCabe's Directory of Drogheda (1830), ?
Nature: 2-storey classical villa, with Doric portico. for Charles Tottenham.
Nature: Repair to roof of St Patrick's Hall.
Nature: Guard house (entrance on Foster Pl).
Refs: Bank of Ireland drawings collection (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 419.
Nature: Plan modified by Managers in charge of erection of building, who sanctioned the reduction of the diameter of the columns of the portico, to FJ's displeasure. Completed 1809.
Refs: Designs for different schemes, 1805-1808, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 4-18 (see Murray collection catalogue, pp. 44-47); plans and elevations, 1805-1807, in PRONI, T1554/1 (see PRONI e-catalogue, http://applications.proni.gov.uk/LL_DCAL_PRONI_ECATNI/ResultDetails.aspx, last visited Nov 2011); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the Province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 3739(illus.); 4; R. McKinstry et al., The Buildings of Armagh (UAHS, 1992), 153; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 120-121.
Nature: 2-storey Classical villa, for James Gibbons. Cost: £30,000.
Nature: Designed 1808. Completed 1818. £3,600.
Refs: Elevations and plans, 2 signed and dated 6 Sep 1808, sold among Charleville Castle drawings at Christie's,11 Dec 1985, lots 19,20 (illus. in sale catalogue, p.19); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 4; J.N. Brewer, Beauties of Ireland (1826), II, 136-7; exterior illus. in Claude Costegalde & Brian Walker, The Church of Ireland: an illustrated history (2013), 319.
Nature: Proposed additions. Tenders invited for executing adds. and repairs to Four Courts Marshalsea, Nov 1809.
Refs: NA/SPO 539/293/2 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); Freeman's Journal, 1 Dec 1809.
Nature: FJ directs re-hanging of recast bell of 1670.
Refs: Irish Times, 7 Oct 1889.
Nature: Proposed tetrastyle temple pavilion.
Nature: Designed by FJ.Cost: 849, of which £553 was gift of Board of First Fruits and £110 came from subscriptions.
Refs: J.P. Lawson, Gazetteer of Ireland (1842), 476; Clergy of Cashel and Emly; Clergy of Leighlin (Ulster Historical Foundation, 2012),147(illus.),148.
Nature: New lunatic asylum; additions, 1815-16.
Refs: Drawings for separating central courtyard, 1814, and additions, 1815-17, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 411-419 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 150-153); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; for entire complex see Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005),28-9.
Nature: FJ amended design twice before FS was laid in 1812. Date on weather vane 1816. Prison opened April 1820.
Nature: Restoration of Wardrobe Tower and alterations to house records.
Refs: Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 667; II, 1013,1014; DB 1, 1 Oct 1859, 131; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 357.
Nature: Design for original church by FJ. Hall and tower design. Nave later rebuilt with aisles to designs of William Farrell.
Refs: Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 115, Pl.79.
Nature: Work on gate measured by Bryan Bolger by order of FJ.
Nature: FJ consulted re Botany Bay (because of problems in laying secure foundations for building designed by Richard Morrison).
Nature: Conversion of half-finished library into record office; completion of Gandon's cupola.
Refs: Drawings in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 524-537 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 175-179); engraved elevation and block plan 'of the intended registry, record offices, &c. at the King's Inns…Frans Johnston delin' published 14 Jul 1813; NA/SPO 564/468/29 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); E.McParland, James Gandon: Vitruvius Hibernicus (1985), 204; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 157-8.
Nature: FS laid 1813; opened Dec 1818.
Refs: Drawings, dated 1813-1816, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 326-339 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 128-131; record drawings, 1901, in Military Archives, Dublin;; 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 645-6.
Nature: Proposed Gothicization for John Chambré Brabazon, 10th Earl of Meath, attr. to FJ.
Nature: FS laid 12 Aug 1814 (but Freeman's Journal says 'first stone' laid in Dec 1814). Opened 6 Jan 1818. Cost: £50,000.
Refs: Drawings, dated 1814-1817, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 660-699 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 204-211); 2 elevations of principal front, formerly in collection of Mrs Desmond Forde, Seaforde, Co. Down, offered for sale by James Adam & Sons, Dublin, 12 Apr 2006, lot 368 (1 elevation illus.in Irish Architectural Drawings (1965), p.8, no. 17); specification, signed by FJ, & list of tenders for stone and brickwork, 1814, &c. in An Post archives (photocopy in IAA, RP.L.72); accounts, receipts and certificates., 1815, in PRONI, Francis Johnston papers, T3300/19 (see PRONI e-catalogue); 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Freeman's Journal, 4 Dec 1817; Dublin Penny Journal 3 (1834-35), 177; 'Annals of Dublin' in Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin almanac (1847); 'The General Post Office, Dublin, and the Dublin Greco-Roman period', IB 58, 25 Mar,8 Apr 1916, 134-136,170-172; IB 66, 15 Nov 1924, 973; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 147-9, Pl.9.
Nature: Additional accommodation at Hardwicke Lunatic Hospital, also conversion of old convalescent hospital into day rooms.
Nature: Designs, for Rev. Charles C. Beresford.
Nature: Arches and guard houses in perimeter wall of barracks on Benburb St.
Refs: Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 251.
Nature: FJ prepares estimate for finishing Prerogative Court &c.
Nature: Castellated gateway known as Richmond Gate at Watling Street/Usher's Island end of Military Rd (moved to Circular Rd S in 1846). Builder: Frederick Darley.
Refs: 'A letter from Francis Johnston', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Whitelaw, Warburton & Walsh, History of Dublin (1818), I, 667; Dublin Penny Journal 3 (1834-35), 218; Irish Penny Journal (1840-41), 265; DB 1, 1 Oct 1859, 132; IB 52, 1 Oct 1910, 604(illus.); IB 21, 1 Sep,15 Nov 1879, ?, 350; E.McParland, 'Francis Johnston, Architect, 1760-1829', BIGS 12, no. 1 (Jan-Mar 1969), 62; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 680.
Nature: '...Francis Johnston is supposed to have made alterations and additions to what was considered to be a bad plan'.
Refs: Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 123.
Nature: Gateway to Henrietta St. Sculptor: John Smyth.
Refs: Elevation and plan, signed as approved by members of Benchers' building committee, 16 Aug 1820, in collection of Mrs Desmond Forde, Seaforde, Co. Down (photograph in IAA; reproduced in Irish Architectural Drawings (1965), no. 20; architect's certificates, builder's bond, articles of agreement &c., 1819-21, in King's Inns Archives, H2/2/1,2; E.McParland, James Gandon: Vitruvius Hibernicus (1985), 204; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 158,193.
Nature: Plans carried out by John Bowden. Completed 1819. Cost: £7,553. Contractor: John McMahon.
Refs: JRSAI 100 (1970), 55; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 255-6.
Nature: New. With William Murray, for Commissioners of Lunatic Asylums in Ireland. Completed Feb 1824. Cost £14,668.
Refs: Drawings and specifications, 1820-1825, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 63-73 (see Murray Collection catalogue, pp. 56-58); Minutes of Commissioners for General Control..and for Superintending…the Erection…of Asylums for the Lunatic Poor, Feb 1824 (information from Brendan O'Donoghue); Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 137-8.
Nature: Designed by FJ and Thomas Colbourne.
Refs: C. O'Connor & J. O'Regan, eds., Public Works: the architecture of the Office of Public Works 1837-1987 (AAI, 1987), 11; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 353,355..
Refs: Bank of Ireland drawings collection (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 420.
Nature: FJ provides estimate for insulating four courts against fire.
Nature: Block of 4 houses for himself and his brother Andrew.
Refs: Plans, s. & d. April 1822, in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 384,385.
Nature: Payment if £46 to 'Johnston, architect', possibly FJ. (Brett, but cf. Rowan, who thinks this may be for layout of town and that William Murray is more likely to have designed court house).
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Court Houses and Market Houses of the Province of Ulster (UAHS, 1973), 98,101(illus.); Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North West Ulster (1979), 160.
Nature: Addition of 10 cells for 'refractory lunatics'. With William Murray.
Nature: With William Murray. FS laid May 1824. Opened 30 Jan1827. Cost: £30,200. Contractors: Williams & Cockburn. Additions 'on both flanks for the accommodation of 140 incurable patients' made shortly before 1835.
Refs: Designs in IAA, Murray Collection, nos. 300-309 (see Murray Collection catalogue, 123-127; section repr. in The Architecture of Dublin in Drawings and Paintings (National Gallery of Ireland, 1975), no. 59); Thomas Bell, An Essay on the origin and progress of Gothic Architecture in Ireland' (1828), addenda, pp. 269-70; Dublin Penny Journal 4, 24 Oct 1835, 136; 'Annals of Dublin' in Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin Almanac (1847); DB 1, 1 Oct 1859, 132; W.G. Strickland, A Dictionary of Irish Artists (1913), II. 610; Thomas Ryan, 'The Vicissitudes of the Royal Hibernian Academy', Irish Arts Review (Autumn 1985), 26-27; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 177.
Nature: Proposed works at, with William Murray. For 3rd Earl of Howth.
Nature: New '2nd class' asylum for 100 patients, with William Murray. Same design as Belfast Lunatic Asylum.
Nature: New '2nd class' asylum, for 100 patients. With William Murray. Same as Derry Lunatic Asylum. Opened 1 May 1829. Contractor: James Boyer.
Nature: Addition of drying closet for laundry, with William Murray.
Nature: 9-bay single storey block with squat tower in centre.
Nature: Attribution to FJ suggested by Mulligan.
Refs: Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 126.
Nature: Gate lodge attr. to FJ on basis of similarity to lodge at Galtrim, Co. Meath, by J.A.K. Dean.
Nature: Gate lodge attr. to FJ on basis of similarity to lodge at Ballynagall, Co. Westmeath, by J.A.K. Dean.
Nature: Additions, including chapel and library, for Capt. Thomas Burrowes.
Nature: Caroline Treffgarne says by FJ, but Casey & Rowan give date as circa 1830. Bence-Jones says 'of the school of Francis Johnston'. For Gerald Dease.
Refs: Letter from Caroline Treffgarne to A. Rowan, 30 Oct 1993; Mark Bence-Jones, Burke’s Guide to Country Houses. Volume I, Ireland. (London, 1978), 278; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 198.
Nature: Attributed to FJ by Caroline Treffgarne.
Nature: Alterations, for Gustavus Lambart.
Nature: Rectangular 3-bay, 2-storey house, 'built for the Pentland family in a style greatly reminiscent of Francis Johnston'.
Nature: Billy English in communication to E.McParland suggests that the glebe house near Moate, mentioned in letter from FJ, is the glebe house at Mount Temple (Ballyloughloe parish) near Moate.
Nature: Attribution to FJ suggested by Rowan & Casey. For Henry Smith?
Nature: Attr. to FJ by Casey & Rowan.
Nature: Adds., for James Saunderson.
Nature: Plans prepared by FJ but not executed.
Nature: 4-bay, 2-storey, with single storey wings. Built for Rev. Vesey Dawson, rector of Galtrim. Also gate lodge.
Nature: For Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh.
Nature: Redevelopment of Ship St area of Castle precincts. With William Murray.
Nature: Folly belfry in garden.
Nature: Proposed wings; proposed range of barristers'chambers.
Refs: 2 drawings in collection of Mrs Desmond Forde, Seaforde, Co. Down, see Irish Architectural Drawings (1965), p.9, no. 19.
Refs: Undated elevation of rustic dairy, attr. to FJ, in IAA, Murray Collection, no. 713 (see Murray Collection catalogue, p. 217); Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 294.
Nature: Addition of 3-bay wings, north and south porticos.
Refs: NA/SPO 554/403/13 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc.2008/44); 'A letter from Francis Johnston [to J.N.Brewer]', BIGS 6 (no. 1), Jan-Mar 1963, 3; Dublin Penny Journal 2 (1934-35), 388; DB 1, 1 Oct 1859, 132; 'Aras an Uachtarain: the house and its furnishings', Oibre 5 (Jul 1967), 2, says that FJ added north portico in 1807 and south portico and wings in 1815-16 but SPO ref. above says north portico was built in 1813 and IB 42, 15 Apr 1900, 335, says wings were built for Earl of Hardwick (Viceroy 1801-6); north portico for Duke of Richmond (Viceroy 1807-1813); S. portico for Lord Whitworth (Viceroy 1813-1818); AJ 52, 13 Oct 1920, 396; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 292-3,294..
Nature: Addition of top storey and porch for Archbishop John George de la Poer Beresford.
Anon. 'Biographical Sketches: Francis Johnston, RHA' 1859 DB 1, 1 Oct 1859, 131.
Betjeman, John 'Francis Johnston, Irish architect' 1946 Myfanwy Evans (ed.), The Pavilion (London, 1946), 20-38.
Henchy, Patrick 'Francis Johnston, architect, 1760-1829' 1950 Dublin Historical Record 11, no. 1 (Dec 1949-Feb 1950), 1-16.
Mcparland, Edward 'Francis Johnston, architect, 1760-1829' 1969;1972 BIGS 12, nos. 3 & 4 (Jul-Dec 1969), 62-139,; republished in two parts in Plan 3, no. 3 (Dec-Jan 1972), 10-12, and Plan 3, no. 4.
O'lochlainn, C. 'Francis Johnston; Architect' 1942 The Irish Book Lover (May 1972), ?.

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