Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect with the Office of Public Works, active from the 1920s until the 1950s. Garrett Bernard ('Bernie') Joyce, was born in Dublin in 1899, the son of Dr Garrett Joyce of Dublin, physician to Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross. After attending Castleknock College, Joyce read medicine at University College, Dublin, before deciding to make architecture his profession. He became a pupil in the office of O'CALLAGHAN & WEBB  CALLAGHAN & WEBB and also studied at the National College of Art and the Architectural Association of Ireland. He was awarded the Downes Bronze Medal of the AAI in 1922 for his measured drawings of the Printing House at Trinity College, Dublin.(1)

In 1923 Joyce joined the staff of the Office of Public Works. According to his obituarist in the RIAI Year Book, he worked at Westport, Co. Mayo, before becoming District Architect in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He remained in Dundalk from 1931 until 1938 and was then posted back to headquarters in Dublin.

Joyce died in April 1957. His obituarist, who describes him as unselfish, retiring and helpful, records 'his constant work with the Society of St Vincent de Paul'.

AAI: elected member, 1920; winner of Downes Bronze Medal for session 1921-22; hon. secretary, 1921-22.
RIAI: admitted student, 1922; elected member, 1925.

Addresses: 20 Baggot Street Lower, 1922; Office of Public Works, Dublin, 1923-31; District Office of Public Works, Dundalk, 1932-38; Office of Public Works, Dublin, 1939 until death.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from the obituary of Joyce in RIAI Year Book 1958, 33, from the lists of AAI officers, prizewinners and members in AAI Year Books, from the lists of RIAI members in JRIAI and RIAI Year Book, and from the lists of the architectural staff at the Office of Public Works in Thom's directories.


(1) NLI, AD 1258-59.
(2) Irish Times, 14 Dec 1922.