Source: https://www.dia.ie/architects/view/3948
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 04:26:10+00:00

Document:
Architect, of Dublin. Thomas McNamara served his pupilage in the office of WILLIAM HAGUE WILLIAM HAGUE and later became Hague's managing assistant. After Hague's death in 1899 he formed a business partnership with Hague's widow, practising as HAGUE & HAGUE & amp; MCNAMARA MCNAMARA until about 1907. He then practised under his own name. In 1919 he and - Burns (perhaps J. ROSEMAN BURNS ROSEMAN BURNS ) won first prize with their design for industrial dwellings in one of the categories of a competition organized by the RIAI.(1). In the later 1920s he appears to have taken his sons N.P. McNAMARA NAMARA and CHARLES G. MCNAMARA CHARLES G. MCNAMARA into partnership.(2) His practice was busy, varied and extensive. Like Hague he received a considerable number of commissions connected with the Catholic church, particularly for buildings in the diocese of Dromore. He had become architect to the Dublin Joint Hospital Board by 1912(3) and was later increasingly engaged in hospital work. One of his most important commissions was for the new County Hospital at Mullingar, begun in 1933.
McNamara was entirely dedicated to his work and, although a member of the AAI and RIAI played no part in the collective activities of his profession. He travelled frequently in France, Italy and Spain, and had a particular interest in Hispano-Romanesque architecture. His pupils and assistants included HARRY CLARKE HARRY CLARKE , whom he advised to take up art rather than architecture as a profession, and VINCENT JAMES O'CONNELL VINCENT JAMES O'CONNELL . In his leisure he was a keen follower of sport, particularly racing. He died in January 1947. Writing his obituary in the Irish Builder, his old friend HARRY ALLBERRY HARRY ALLBERRY recalled his 'kindly spirit of tolerance, good humour and helpfulness'. His practice was absorbed into that of his son CHARLES G. MCNAMARA. CHARLES G. MCNAMARA.
Addresses: Work: 50 Dawson St, 1900-1911;(6) 192 Great Brunswick St, 1911-1927;(7) 5 Dawson St, 1927 until death.
Home:(8) 9 Newbridge Avenue, Sandymount, 1901;(9) Fairyvilla, Sandymount Ave. Ballsbridge, <=1907->=1908; 18 St Mary's Road South, <=1915-1916; 36 Belmont Avenue, Donnybrook, 1917->=1922; 67 Northumberland Road, <=1925->=1934.
All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from the obituary of McNamara by Harry Allberry in IB 89, 11 Jan 1947, 10.
(2) The first mention of the practice of 'T.F. McNamara & Sons' in IB is in Vol 69, 20 Aug 1927, 617.
(3) IB 54, 21 Dec 1912, 727.
(4) Lists of members in AAI Green Books.
(5) JRIAI (1919), 3; IB 61, 11 Jan 1919, 5. An earlier application for membership in 1903 was turned down, see IAA, RIAI office archives (Acc. 93/136), membership forms 1878-1909 (extremely fragile).
(6) IB 42, 15 Apr 1900, 335; 53, 18 Feb 1911, 114.
(7) IB 53, 9 Dec 1911, ?; AJ 65. 19 Jan 1927, 146.
(9) Irish Times, 14 Dec 1901.
Nature: Designed by William Hague & completed under supervision of T.F. McNamara. Contractor: McClay, Strabane.
Nature: New church for Very Rev. Hugh Behan, PP.. Tenders invited, May 1898. Opened 7 Oct 1906. Designed by William Hague and carried out under superintendence of T.F.McNamara.
Refs: IB 40, 1 May 1898, 69; 48, 6,20 Oct 1906, 810,850; Irish Times, 4,9,11 May 1898.
Nature: Marble rood screen behind high altar designed by William Hague continued by T.F. McNamara after WH's death. Executant Prof. Pietro Lazzarini, Carrara.
Nature: TFMcN supervised erection of tower and spire on death of William Hague. Contractor: William Connolly.
Nature: Completion of church designed by William Hague. Opened 15 Oct 1902.
Nature: New Protestant chapel about to be put up. By Hague & McNamara.
Nature: Tenders invited for erecting memorial cross in limestone and granite in New Cemetery in memory of Very Rev. Hugh Behan, PP, Feb 1900.
Refs: Irish Times, 2,9 Feb 1900.
Nature: Addition. By Hague & McNamara.
Nature: Addition, extensive alts. to Catholic chapel, 1901. Tenders invited, Nov 1901. New fire mains, hydrants, &c., 1903.
Refs: IB 43, 21 Nov,5 Dec 1901, 946,960; 45, 5,19 Nov 1903, 2076,2098; Irish Times, 29 Nov 1901.
Nature: Tenders invited for erecting proposed new school for Sisters of Mercy..
Nature: 2 semi-detached houses by Hague & McNamara. Tenders invited, Nov 1902.
Nature: Alterations to premises formerly occupied by Tramway Co. to create gents' outfitters, for James McSharry. Entire front of ground floor storey replaced by nickel-silver sasheS set on limestone sills with red granite under. Red granite pilasters. Limestone cornice and entablature. Contractors; Dovey, Mullaly & Co., Rutland Place.
Refs: Irish Times, 2 Aug 1902.
Nature: New Gothic church on hill overlooking town. FS laid 14 Sep 1902 by Dr Owens, Bishop of Clogher. Dedicated by Dr Owens, 18 Aug 1907.
Nature: Addition by Hague & McNamara.
Refs: IB 44, 4 Dec 1902, 1504; 45, 1 Jan 1903, 1540; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 219.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new parochial house, Dec 1902-Jan 1903. For Very Rev Canon O'Farrell, PP. (Hague & McNamara).
Nature: By Hague & McNamara. Cruciform Gothic with 4-storey pinnacled tower. FS laid Aug 1903. Builder: Pat Kelly, Longford.
Nature: New church. FS laid 11 Jun 1903.
Refs: B 84, 20 Jun 1903, 638; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 417.
Nature: New temperance hall with reading, smoking and billiard rooms attached. For Rev. W8illiam Murray. By T.F. McNamara of Hague & McNamara. Tenders invited, Mar 1904.
Nature: Opened May 1904. Cruciform, 3-bay nave, Sicilian marble altarpiece.
Nature: Improvements including marble altar & altar rail.
Nature: To be built under bequest of Miss Crudden. By Hague & McNamara.
Nature: Tenders received for erection of new roof & ceilings. Archts: Hague & McNamara.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new college for Most Rev. Dr O'Donnell, Bishop of Raphoe. By Hague & McNamara.
Nature: New church by T.F. McNamara, of Hague & McNamara for Rev. Hugh Farrelly. Tenders invited Aug 1904. Opened 1 Oct 1906.
Refs: Advertisement for tenders, B 87, 6 Aug 1904, 169; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 290; Centenary of St Mary's Church, Finea, http://www.meathdiocese.ie/news/archive_2006-2007/finea_centenary_homily.html, last visited Sep 2009.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new buildings for Joint Committee of Management, Nov 1904. Buildings completed by Nov 1907. Contractor: William Callaghan & Son, Lurgan. Cost: £10,000.
Refs: IB 46, 2 Jul,27 Aug,3 Dec 1904, 422,562,826; 49, 12 Jan,30 Nov 1907, 34,829; Irish Times, 21,28 Nov,5 Dec 1904.
Nature: New Gothic church with nave, transepts, sanctuary & side chapels, tower and spire, for Rev. William Bracken, PP. FS laid 5 Aug 1906 by Dr Gaughran, Bishop of Meath. Dedicated 24 Sep 1909. Contractor: James Wynne, Dundalk.
Nature: Tenders invited for execution of adds. & alts.
Nature: New hall recently opened. Contractor: William McMahon, Clones.
Refs: IB 49, 12 Jan 1907, 17; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 468.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new chapel & adds. (new wing) for Sisters of Mercy at cost of £4,000.
Nature: Villa residence for Thomas Callan MacArdle, JP, of Moore, MacArdle & Co., Dundalk, brewers. Within easy reach of brewery offices. Local brick: lower floor faced with Laganvale bricks, upper floor pebble dashed. Red tiles. Builder: James Wynne, Jocely Pl, Dundalk.
Nature: Reconstruction, for Very Rev. Thomas Gilsenan, PP. Tenders invited, May 1907. Re-opened St Patrick's Day, 1908. Builder: Hanway, North Great George's St, Dublin.
Refs: IB 49, 13,27 Jul,10 Aug,19 Oct 1907, 488,525,571,729; 50, 13 Jun 1908, 373; 51, 25 Dec 1909, 817; Freeman's Journal, 11 Dec 1909.
Nature: New school to be built, for Very Rev. P. Farrell. Tenders invited Sep-Oct 1908.
Nature: Erected for Sisters of Mercy on convent grounds. Opened 9 Nov 1908. Contractor: N. Delaney, Navan. Altar and stained glass by Earley & Co., Camden St, Dublin.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new school, for Very Rev. J. Nulty.
Nature: Tenders invited for erecting new farm buildings for Sisters of Mercy, Oct 1908.
Refs: Freeman's Journal, 21 Oct 1908.
Nature: New church, for Rev. T. O'Reilly, PP. Tenders invited Aug 1908. New church opened, 29 Jun 1910. Cost: £3,500. Contractor: P. Kelly, Longford.
Refs: Freeman's Journal, 11,12,13 Aug 1908, 30 Jun 1910; B 95, 15 Aug 1908, 193; IB 52, 9 Jul 1910, 443; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 418.
Nature: Spire lengthened by 15 courses of finest Newry granite. Builder: Hunter Bros, Tate's Ave, Belfast. Completed 1910.
Nature: Tenders invited for adds. and erection of new select schools.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of gates and railings, swimming bath and laundry, May-Jun 1909..
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of same, Apr 1909. For Very REv. E. O'Reilly, PP.
Nature: Very extensive addition (to church of 1886). Dedicated by Bishop of Clogher, 5 Dec 1909. Contractor: Mssrs Clarence, Ballysodare, Co. Sligo.
Nature: New wing containing study halls, class halls, concert hall, professors' rooms, dormtories, bath and sanitary annexe. Opened by Cardinal Logue, 9 Jun 1909. Contractor: James Wynne, Dundalk.
Refs: Freeman's Journal, 9 Jun 1909.
Nature: New assembly hall for Ancient Order of Hibernians. Tenders invited for erecting same, Sep 1910.
Refs: Freeman's Journal, 20,21,22 Sep 1910; IB 52, 12 Nov 1910, 703; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 228.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new ceiling, painting & decorating.
Refs: Drawing(s), 1911, in IAA, Edward Cullen Collection, Acc. 2004/160 (not on public access).
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new school, for Very Rev. P. Callary PP. Completed 1912.
Refs: Unsigned, undated drawings (?by TFMcN) in W.H. Byrne drawings collection, pile 24; Freeman's Journal, 10 Feb 1911; IB 53, 18 Feb 1911, 114; IA & C 1, 18 Feb 1911, 47; B 100. 17 Feb 1911, 223.
Nature: New church, for Very Rev. Thomas O'Reilly, PP. Tenders invited Dec 1911. FS laid 16 Jun 1912 by Dr Hoare, Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnoise. Opened autumn 1914. Contractor: W.A. Coote, Longford.
Refs: B 53, 11 11 Sep,9 Dec 1911, 130,822; 54, 22 Jun,6 Jul 1912, 361,410; 56, 24 Oct 1914, 602; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 367-8.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of library & gymnasium.
Nature: TFMcN appointed architect after death of Geo. T. Moore. Tenders invited for carrying out new day room & heating system.
Nature: Building being taken down and reconstructed to include new shop premises. Contractor: O'Rafferty & McGahan.
Nature: Irish materials used exclusively in construction of new hall. Contractor: John Dillon, Drumcondra.
Nature: P. Shortall has secured contract for building 2-storey house, walls &c. at power station for Pembroke UDC.
Nature: Tenders invited for carrying out new male wing, acute wing, entrance lodge, gateway and approach road. For Dublin Joint Hospital Board.
Refs: IB 55, 18 Jan 1913, 51; B 104, 17 Jan 1913, ?
Nature: New sanctuary, sacristies, extension of nave, formation of nuns' choir, 2 small shrines, &c. Massive window behind high altar by Daniel & Frucker. Local limestone. For Rev. E. O'Leary, PP. Contractor: Mr Sweeney, Portarlington. Side chapels also undergoing changes.
Nature: Works including decoration of chapel. Chancel decorated with scroll work and paintings of choirs of angels on gold ground. Contractor: Joshua Clarke & Son, N Frederick St.
Nature: Land between East Wall and Leinster Ave to be developed by Dr T. Donnelly, Rutland Sq. Plans drawn up for 2 roads & 88 houses.
Nature: Bungalow to be erected in grounds of Hartfield for John J. McGrath. Red brick & pebble dash.
Nature: Being taken down & to be rebuilt. Contractor: P. Shortall, TC, Upr Temple St.
Refs: IB 55, 21 Jun 1913, 415; Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 553.
Refs: Irish Times, 1 Apr 1913.
Nature: Single storey, red brick dispensary to be erected in grounds of Meath Hospital by Dublin county Council.
Nature: Addition of tower to new church (dedicated 09 May 1907).
Nature: Doctor's residence, nurses' quarters & cottage dwellings.
Nature: Tenders invited for erecting new Central Dispensary in grounds of Meath Hospital for Co. Dublin Co. Council., Feb 1914.
Refs: Freeman's Journal, 25 Feb 1914.
Nature: New premises to be built. Ardbraccan limestone facade. Contractor: O'Rafferty & McGahan, Great Strand St.
Nature: Commenced. Tea lounge and offices at front to be finished in polished mahogany. Contractor: H. & J. Martin.
Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, ANNE STREET SOUTH, NO. 021-26?
Nature: Reconstruction of former Adelphi Hotel by its owners to form shops & offices commenced. Contractor: O'Rafferty & McGahan, Gt Strand St. Improvements extended to Nos. 24-26.
Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, BAGGOT STREET UPPER, NO. 048-50?
Nature: New bldgs at SE side of Baggot St Bridge opposite National Bank in course of erection. 3 storeys with flat roofs, red brick. 2 shops on ground floor. Contractor: H. & J. Martin.
Nature: In process of reconstruction. Contractor: Thomas Mackey, Camden St.
Nature: Rebuilding to form shops & offices, for Mr James Rickards. Red brick & Irish limestone. Contractor: O'Rafferty & McGahan.
Nature: Being overhauled. New floor & roof, sanitary annexe at rear. contractor: M.J. Greene, Donnybrook.
Nature: Premises at 8 & 9 Moore St & Henry Pl being transformed into 1 large shop for John Sheilds. Contractor: P. Shortall & Co., Parliament St.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new tower & spire.
Nature: Alts. about to be made.
Nature: Plans prepared by TFMcN for Corinthian Picture Co.
Nature: New 2-storey motor garage being erected for J. Donohoe. Contractor: Thomas Navagh.
Nature: Plans, 1919. Good progress being made, 1920. Contractor: James Beckett. Terracotta by Shaw & Co., London and Darwin.
Nature: New theatre on former site of Freeman's Journal offices. For F.W. Chambers and George P. Fleming, proprietors.. Work commenced May 1919. Opened 10 Aug 1920. Contractor: J. & R. Thompson. Stained-glass windows by J. Clarke & Sons.
Refs: IB 61, 13 Sep 1919, 377; 62, 14 Aug 1920, 530; Freeman's Journal, 7,11 Aug 1920.
Nature: Adds. Contractor: M.J. Greene, Donnybrook.
Nature: Adds. (gabled entrance portion, 3 bays beyond it and 4-bay block beyond latter) and other works. Tenders invited Apr 1920.
Nature: Plans for golf club pavilion for Mr Fleming of La Scala theatre.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 4 houses for Mountmellick Town Commissioners.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 15 houses as Murgasty, Tipperary Hill, for Tipperary UDC.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 11 workmen's houses. Plans by TFMcN with P.J. O'Loughlin.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 12 houses with water and gas mains. Plans by TFMcN with P.J. O'Loughlin.
Nature: Contract for erection of new chapel & adds. given to J. Fleming, Canal St, Newry.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of same for Maryborough Town Commissioners.
Nature: New chapel in course of erection. Contractor: J. Fleming, Newry. Estimated cost c. £8,000.
Nature: 6 houses in blocks of 2, for Tullamore UDC.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 6 houses for Thurles UDC.
Nature: New hall to be built with £13,000 awarded as compensation for destruction of old hall. Front 'of most elaborate and ornate design'. Work about to start.
Nature: Rebuilding of shop and house to provide premises 'on modern lines' for O'Neill & Son, 4 Chatham St. Contractor: H. & J. Martin. Work completed by Dec.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 4 workmen's dwellings, for Templemore UDC.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of same, for Very Rev. D.C. Reynolds, PP.
Nature: 27 pairs and 2 blocks of houses at Ringsend Cottages and Bath Ave for Pembroke UDC. Tenders invited Apr 1823. Tender of G. & T. Crampton of £36,020 accepted.
Nature: New houses for Pembroke UDC. Contractor: G. & T. Crampton.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 14 houses. Plans by TFMcN with P.J. O'Loughlin.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new church, Oct 1924. Church dedicated 13 Jun 1926.
Refs: IB 66, 4 Oct 1924, 866; Catholic Directory (1927), 593; Kevin V. Mulligan, The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster (2013), 319.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new church, for Rev. J. McGivney.
Nature: Reconstruction within existing layout. Changes involved removing royal arms from attic, opening of blank windows in curtain walls, new door in one wall with window above, windows in outer bays of wall behind portico. Contract given to : James Fleming, 57 Canal St, Newry (£32,139.8s.2d).
Nature: Originally mooted 1911. Still unbuilt, 1920. Reconstruction, 1926.
Nature: 2-storey house and shop, for Mr Jorgan, victualler. Contractor: Molony.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of 9 houses for Tullamore Urban District Council.
Nature: Being erected. Contractor: M.J. Greene & Sons.
Nature: Erection of shop & house.
Nature: 2 pairs of semi-detached villas. Contractor: Hugh Duncan, Newbridge Ave.
Nature: Addition with 2 detached houses & garages on hotel grounds.
Nature: 21 single-storey and 7 2-storey houses on John Dillon St site.
Nature: Plans for 4 semi-detached blocks on site at Auburn Ave for Pembroke UDC.
Nature: Addition of apse, sacristies, bell tower to church of 1861 and general renovation. Church dedicated 25 Oct 1931. Contractor: Mssrs Nolan. Entire cost, including marble altars, stained glass, mosaic, gallery, seating, etc., £3,076.
Nature: New Romanesque church, for Monsignor Thomas Langan, PP. FS laid 15 Aug 1930. Completed 1933. Contractor: S. Phillips, Drumcondra. Cost: £14,000. Marble altar & rails by C.W. Harrison & Sons, Dublin.
Nature: New. Estimated? cost: £8,000.
Nature: Jam factory for Mssrs Holloway. Contractor: J. Maloney, North Strand.
Nature: Being erected by P.F. Hearn & Co., Ranelagh.
Nature: Being erected by T. McMillan, Rathfarnham Rd.
Nature: New. Tenders invited Jan 1933. Roofed by Nov 1933. Opened Apr 1936. Contractor: J. & R. Thompson, Dublin.
Nature: Contractor: R.G. Kickham & Co., Belmont Ave.
Nature: Tenders invited for new school for S Tipperary VEC..
Nature: Works at same, including tailors' workshop and clothes store block. For Rev. Bro. Aristes Donegan. Contractor: Farmer Bros.
Nature: Addition. For Co. Mayo Board of Health.
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of tower.
Nature: New buildings, 1936. Heating of St Augustine Colony for Mental Defectives, 1938.
Nature: Extension. Cost: £5,000. Also repairs.
Nature: Reconstruction of old County Infirmary to make technical school.
Nature: TFMcN appointed architect for new sanatorium to replace one destroyed by fire. For Co. Mayo Board of Health. Also architect for erection of temporary buildings. Contractor for temporary buldings: Kilcawley, Malney & Taylor.
Nature: Rebuilding of front wall. By T.F. McNamara & Son.

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