Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect, measurer and surveyor, of Dublin. James Bolger was the son of BRYAN BOLGER' BRYAN BOLGER' s brother James and was one of the two executors of Bryan Bolger's will.(1) He worked with Bryan Bolger as a measurer 'for some years';(2) their names appear together as measurers at 1 Little Longford Street in Wilson's Dublin Directory for 1821. James appears alone as a 'surveyor of buildings' at 42 Great Ship Street in Wilson's directories for 1829-1833; in the 1835 edition the description changes to 'Architect and Surveyor'. 'Bryan & Bolger[sic], Architects' also appear in these directories at the same address in the same years. In 1831 Bryan Bolger sent a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant asking permission to retire as measurer to the Board of Works in favour of his nephew James.(3) James Bolger succeeded RICHARD MORRISON  RICHARD MORRISON as architect to Trinity College on 31 December 1831 but only held the post until June 1832.(4) Following Bryan Bolger's death in 1834, James Bolger inherited all his uncle's measuring books, copies of bills of quantity and architectural books.(5) He continues to be listed in Thom's directories until 1849.

An anonymous pamphlet published in 1832 contains a reference to James Bolger and JOHN LEESON JOHN LEESON : 'These two gentlemen were rival candidates some time ago for rebuilding Townsend-street Chapel[i.e. St Andrew's, Westland Row]; L-s-n wrote and published a long Advertisement in the Freeman's Journal, abusing Dr. Blake and praising himself, B-lg-r took off his coat and challenged L-s-n to box, and owing to his superior prowess, I suppose, the parishoners gave him the job.'(6)

There is a plan and section of a warehouse-like building signed 'James Bolger Archt 42 Gt Ship Street' among the Bryan Bolger papers.(7)

Addresses:(8) 42 Great Ship Street, 1829-1835; 14 Talbot Street, 1839; 88 Talbot Street, 1841-1845; 74 Talbot Street, 1846-49.

See WORKS.



References



(1) Bryan Bolger's will, NA/PRO, Bolger MSS. 1A/58/133.
(2) E. McParland, 'The papers of Bryan Bolger, Measurer', Dublin Historical Record, Vol. 35, no. 4, September 1972, p. 120; this article and E. McParland's files are the principal source of information about Bryan and James Bolger.
(3) This memorial and testimonials on James's behalf are in NA/SPO, CSORP 1831/801 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(4) Trinity College Dublin Board Minutes, 31 Dec 1831, 10 Mar, ? Jun 1832 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(5) NA/PRO, Bolger MSS, 1A/58/133.
(6) An essay on the Rise and Progress of Architecture in Dublin (Nicholson, Dublin, 1832) in RIA, Haliday Pamphlets 1542/7 (IAA, Edward McParland files, Acc. 2008/44).
(7) NA/PRO, Bolger Papers, 1A/58/129.
(8) From Wilson's, Thom's and Post Office directories.


9 work entries listed in chronological order for BOLGER, JAMES [2]


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Building: CO. FERMANAGH, CORRARD HOUSE
Date: 1825
Nature: Bryan and James Bolger sign contract with Sir Abraham Bradley King and Rev. Mr King to build house in Co. Fermanagh for £3532.
Refs: NA/PRO, Bolger MSS, 1A/58/129

Building: CO. TYRONE, DUNGANNON, GEORGE'S STREET, COUNTY COURT HOUSE
Date: 1826
Nature: Proposal by JB; Lilburn's design preferred
Refs: NA/PRO Board of Works minutes, 12 Dec 1826 (E. McP.)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, RICHMOND STREET NORTH, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL
Date: 1828-1831
Nature: Architect James Bolger. FS laid by Daniel O' Connell, 9 Jun 1828.
Refs: Saunders's News Letter, 11 Jun 1828; Pettigrew & Oulton's Directory 1847, Annals of Dublin (1828, June 9); but O'Connell School Centenary Record, Dublin, 1928, states that Bryan Bolger superintended erection of school buildings; IB 46, 13 Feb 1904, 74;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 139.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, WESTLAND ROW, ST ANDREW'S CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1832-1834
Nature: FS laid 30 Apr 1832; opened for worship 29 Jan 1834. For Rev. Dr. Blake.
Refs: Jones ref. given only as 'Vol 153'; Pettigrew & Oulton's Dublin almanac (1847), 'Annals of Dublin' (1834, Jan 29); APSD,2,D,75 (Dublin entry);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 451-453.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, MERCHANT'S QUAY, ADAM & EVE'S CHURCH (RC, FRANCISCAN)
Date: 1834
Nature: By 'Mr Bolger'
Refs: Catholic Directory (1836), 82-84.

Building: CO. ROSCOMMON, LOUGHGLYNN HOUSE
Date: 1838
Nature: Addition of 2nd storey. For Charles Henry, 14th Viscount Dillon.
Refs: Plans, sections & elevations on paper watermarked 1837 in Dillon MSS, Oxfordshire Record Office; microfilm in NLI, Pos. 5312; Mark Bence-Jones, Burke’s Guide to Country Houses. Volume I, Ireland (London, 1978), 193(illus.)

Building: CO. MEATH, NAVAN, CHURCH OF ST MARY (RC)
Date: 18396-1846
Nature: Architect 'Mr Bulger'; foreman Pat Madden. For Rev. Eugene O'Reilly, PP (Shell Guide gives design of church to O'Reilly)
Refs: Rev. J. Brady, A Short history of the parishes of Mullingar and Navan, (Navan,1938) Pt. 3, 99; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 428-9)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, MALAHIDE, CHURCH OF ST SYLVESTER (RC)
Date: 1845
Nature: 'Mr Boulger' paid for plan.
Refs: Malahide accounts in Clonliffe College Archive, MS 23/2

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, BOW LANE, ST PATRICK'S HOSPITAL
Date: ?
Nature: Proposed work at same?
Refs: Undated plan in St Patrick's Hospital archives, F/9/8d.