Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect of Derry City and Brisbane, Australia. Richard Gailey was born in Co. Donegal in 1834, and, after practising as an architect in Derry, emigrated to Australia in 1864. While he was in Derry he may have worked as a builder rather than an architect: a Richard Gailey was the contractor for re-pewing and other works at Christ Church, Derry, to designs by WELLAND & GILLESPIE  WELLAND & GILLESPIE in 1862.(1)

After settling in Brisbane, Gailey designed many buildings, including the Girls' Grammar School (1875) and the Regatta Hotel (1886). A Baptist by denomination, he designed the Baptist Church in Brisbane Street (1877) and at least five other Baptist churches. He served as an alderman of the city from 1901-1904. He was described in the Brisbane Courier at the time of his death in 1924 as the 'doyen of Brisbane architects'. His wife, born Minnie Rice, of Gilford, Co. Down, predeceased him. His son, Richard Gailey, junior, also practised an architect in Brisbane.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from a brief notice of Gailey's death in IB 66, 12 Jul 1924, ?. A photograph of Gailey at the time of his aldermanship is in the collection of Brisbane City Council, see http://www.pictureaustralia.org/ (2008).

(1)
Contract drawing in RCB Portfolio 10.