Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect, of Belfast. Alexander Macalister was born in Carlow but moved at an early age to Belfast, where he trained as an architect. With TIMOTHY HEVEY TIMOTHY HEVEY , he was one of the leading Catholic architects of Victorian Belfast. By the end of his life he had taken his youngest son, CHARLES MACALISTER CHARLES MACALISTER , into partnership. He died at the end of 1897 at the age of seventy-six.

Belfast Architectural Association: attends meeting, 3 February 1873.(1)

Addresses: 5 Castle Chambers, 1861;(2) Chichester Street, 1867-1875;(3)  6 Alfred Street, 1878;(4)  Alfred Street, 1880;(5) 5 Clarendon Place, 1880-90.(6)

See WORKS.



References

All information in this entry not otherwise accounted for is from the brief obituary of Macalister in B 73, 18 Dec 1897, 524, which was taken from a notice in The Northern Whig.


(1) IB 15, 15 Feb 1873, 56.
(2) Belfast & Province of Ulster Directory 1861-62.
(3) IB 9, 1 Dec 1867, 316; IB 17, 15 Jan 1875, 17.
(4) Examiner, 4 May 1878;  
(5) Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 7.
(6) IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 148; Patton, op. cit., 230


60 work entries listed in chronological order for MACALISTER, ALEXANDER


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Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DONEGALL QUAY, NO. 005 & 7 ((JAMES TEDFORD & CO.)
Date: 1855
Nature: New stucco front, for James Tedford.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 35,Pl.53; Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 108-109,123(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, MOUNT CHARLES, NO. 003-19 & 8-16
Date: 1859
Nature: 14 houses on N & S sides of street, all with bay windows. Contractor: Hughes.
Refs: DB 1, 1 May 1859, 55; C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 43

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, NORTH STREET, HOUSES (003) & SHOPS
Date: 1862
Nature: 3 houses & shops being built.
Refs: DB 4, 15 Nov 1862, 296

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LINEN HALL STREET, WAREHOUSE (BULLOCH)
Date: 1866-67
Nature: New linen warehouse for James & Alexander Bulloch. Contractor: Fitzpatrick Bros.
Refs: PRONI, Fitzpatrick Bros. papers, D1905/1/6; DB 8, 1 Apr,1 Sep 1866, 93, 251

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, SANDY ROW, ULSTER BREWERY
Date: 1867-69
Nature: New premises with 240ft frontage. . FS laid 14 Mar 1867. Nearing completion, Jun 1868. Clerk of Works: Timothy Hevey. Contractor: Mssrs. Fitzpatrick, Great Victoria St.
Refs: PRONI, Fitzpatrick Bros. papers, D1905/1/1; IB 9, 1 Aug,1 Dec 1867, 200,316; 10, 1 Jun 1868, 144; 11, 1 Jan 1869, 6; C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 54; Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 294

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLYMENA, BRIDGE STREET, PREMISES
Date: 1869
Nature: Proposed adds. & extension., for Capt. Mcauley
Refs: Estimate, Feb 1869, in PRONI, T3627/1/1D (see PRONI e-catalogue).

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, OXFORD STREET, NO. 021, ST MALACHY'S SCHOOL
Date: 1874
Nature: Venetian Gothic. Founded by bequest from Mrs Margaret Magill for children of bargees of Belfast. Cost £2,000 and opened on 1 Oct 1874.
Refs: C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 50,Pl.52; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 44, no. 92(illus.); Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 260

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ?, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SCHOOLS
Date: 1874
Nature: New schools opened. 2 school rooms capable of holding 300(!) pupils. Inscription to Mrs Magill, foundress of the schools. Contractor: Rooney & Mooney.
Refs: IB 16, 15 Oct 1874, 289

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, NORTH STREET, NO. 003 (DEVENEY CHAMBERS)
Date: 1874-1875
Nature: New Italianate rebuilding, 4½ storeys high, 8½ ft back from previous building. For Patrick McGuinness. Red freestone walls with Dungannon stone cornices, dressings and ornament. Newry granite plints.Contractor: P. & M. Nolan, Great Victoria St. (Subsequent lawsuit re obstruction of light to Mr Wilson's property at 6-10 Donegall St.)
Refs: PRONI, Fitzpatrick Bros. papers, D1905/2/151; IB 17, 15 Jan 1875, 17; Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 245

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BANK STREET, NO. 007-17 (ST MARY'S CATHOLIC HALL)
Date: 1874-75
Nature: A McA wins limited competition for new Catholic hall contrary to recommendation of RIAI council. 110 ft frontage to Back La. FS laid Oct? 1874. Contractor: James Ross, Belfast. Estimated cost: £7,500. Design exh.Belfast Industrial Exhibition, 1876. Demolished 1990. Portrait heads of PiusIX and Daniel O'Connell by John Laughlin, sculptor, Donegall St, Belfast.
Refs: IB 16, 15 Mar,15 Jul,15 Oct 1874, 84(illus.),196),289; 18, 15 Jun 1876, 172;  Examiner, 20 Sep 1877;  C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 50; Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 23

Building: CO. MEATH, CHERRYMOUNT
Date: 1875
Nature: Extensive alts. & adds. to mansion house and offices for Claude C.C. Hamilton.
Refs: IB 17, 15 May 1875, 141; Christine Casey & Alistair Rowan, The Buildings of Ireland: North Leinster (1993), 413-14

Building: CO. MEATH, CURRAGHTOWN, HOUSE & OFFICES
Date: 1875
Nature: New house for William N. Nicholson, Balrath, on site with extensive view. Greenish black local stone, limestone dressings. Plastered with Portland cement finished with channelled & plain jointing. Contractor: Thomas Creaser, Drogeda. Cost over £3,000.
Refs: IB 17, 15 May, 1 Jun 1875, 141,144-5

Building: CO. KILDARE, CURRAGHTOWN
Date: 1875a
Nature: New mansion and offices just completed at cost of £3,000 for James J. Masterson, esq. Walls lined with brick and faced with Portland cement.
Refs: IB 17, 15 May 1875, 141

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ?, MONUMENT TO A.J. MCKENNA
Date: 1877-78
Nature: Monument to late A.J. McKenna, editor of Ulster Observer. Sculptor: John Loughlin. (McKenna, who diexd in 1872, was buried in Friar's Bush Cemetery, Stranmillis Road.)
Refs: Examiner, 2 Aug 1877;   IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353.

Building: CO. DOWN, CLOUGHMILLS, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1878
Nature: New church & presbytery 'in contemplation'.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WINDSOR PARK AVENUE, HOUSES
Date: 1878
Nature: Block of semi-detached villas are being erected for Samuel Gibson. Contractor: Matthew Mansell.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353

Building: CO. DOWN, DUNDRUM, PRESBYTERY
Date: 1878
Nature: New church & presbytery 'in contemplation', for Rev. F. McKeating, PP.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, RAGLAN STREET (& PANTON STREET), ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Date: 1878
Nature: New male and female schools in progress. For Rev. A. Macauley. Each 70 by 40 ft. Contractor: Charles Boyd.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1879, 353

Building: CO. DOWN, CLOUGH, SCHOOL
Date: 1878
Nature: New schools and teacher's residence 'in contemplation'. For Rev. F. McKeating, PP.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353

Building: CO. DOWN, CLOUGHMILLS, PRESBYTERY
Date: 1878
Nature: New church & presbytery 'in contemplation'.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CLIFTON PARK AVENUE, HOUSES (006)
Date: 1878
Nature: Terrace of 6 houses in progress, for Trustees of St Malachy's College. Contractor: Charles Boyd.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLYCASTLE, PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Date: 1878-1880
Nature: New, for Very Rev. P. McAlister, PP.
Refs: Examiner, 4 May 1878;   IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274;  'Benmore' [John Clarke], St Brigid's Abbey [1926], 41-4

Building: CO. DOWN, DUNDRUM, CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART (RC)
Date: 1878-1884
Nature: New church & presbytery 'in contemplation', for Rev. F. McKeating, PP. Church completed 1884.
Refs: IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353; (illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, STEWARTSTOWN ROAD, TRENCH HOUSE
Date: 1878-79
Nature: Rebuilding, for Arthur Hamill, Esq. Contractors: J. & R. Thompson. (Now St Mary's Teacher Training College).
Refs: Signed perspective view in IAA, Acc. 92/49 (same view as that repr. in IB 22); IB 20, 1 Dec 1878, 353; 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274; 22, 1 Jun 1880, 152(illus.)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BRIDGE END, HOUSES (020)
Date: 1879
Nature: Terrace of 20 houses being built for Mr William Kearney.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLINTOY, SCHOOL
Date: 1879
Nature: New schools being erected for Fr. Magorian. Contractor: James McLoughlin.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BLACKSTAFF ROAD, HOUSES
Date: 1879
Nature: 39 houses being built in Blackstaff Rd, Gaffikin St and Moore's Place for Edward McHugh, jun., Esq. Contractor: J.J. Guiler.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, LARNE, AGNEW STREET, CHURCH OF ST MACNISSI (RC)
Date: 1879
Nature: Gallery. Contractor: Robert Howard.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLYMENA, GALGORM ROAD, HOUSES (002)
Date: 1879
Nature: 2 semi-detached villas, in progress, for James McAlister, Esq, and James Moore, Esq. contractor: Hugh McCann.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BALLYHACKAMORE, HOUSE
Date: 1879
Nature: New villa being erected for James Morrison, Esq. Contractor: Sam White.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, MOUNTPOTTINGER, HOUSES (005)
Date: 1879
Nature: Terrace of 5 houses being built for William Kearney..
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, MOORE'S PLACE, HOUSES
Date: 1879
Nature: 39 houses are being built in Blackstaff Rd, Gaffikin St & Moore Pl. for Edward McHugh, jun, Esq. Contractor: J.J. Guiler.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BEECHMOUNT, HOUSES (004)
Date: 1879
Nature: Terrace of 4 houses, for John McAlinden. Contractor: Daniel Murray.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, GAFFIKIN STREET, HOUSES
Date: 1879
Nature: 39 houses being built in Blackstaff Rd, Gaffikin St & Moore Pl. for Edward McHugh, jun., Esq. Contractor: J.J. Guiler.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, FALLS ROAD, MILLTOWN CATHOLIC CEMETERY
Date: 1879
Nature: Mortuary chapel. contractor: Joseph Duff.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, FALLS ROAD, MILLTOWN CATHOLIC CEMETERY
Date: 1879
Nature: Mortuary chapel (family vault?) being erected for John Cramsie.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 39, sub no. 80

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, SUSSEX PLACE (& JOY STREET), CONVENT OF MERCY
Date: 1879-1880
Nature: Branch convent in progress, Sep 1879. Contractor: J. & J. Guiler.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274; B 37, 27 Sep 1879, 1087; Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 47, no. 101 (illus.); Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 307

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ORMEAU ROAD (BALLYNAFEIGH), GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT
Date: 1879-1880
Nature: Convent chapel. In progress Sep 1879. Nearly finished Jun 1880. Nave, 50 x 36ft, with apsidal chancel, 20ft.. Belfry on W gable. Scrabo stone walling with Dundonald sandstone dressing. 2 choirs, one for nuns and one for penitents. Contractor: Silo & Mathews. Windows by Earley & Powell. (Demolished)
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274; 22, 1 Jun 1880, 148; B 37, 27 Sep 1879, 1087;  Examiner, 18,19,20 Sep 1879.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DIVIS STREET (& ALEXANDER ST W), FLOUR MILL (HUGHES)
Date: 1879-1884
Nature: New flour mill and wheat stores, with 180ft chimney for Edward Hughes. Completed, 1884, for Edward Hughes. Machinery on latest Hungarian principle, supplied by Henry Simon, Manchester. Engines by Victor Coates & Co., Belfast. Clerk of Works: Adam Dorrian.
Refs: IB 21, 1 Sep 1879, 274; 26, 15 Nov 1884, 340(illus)

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CRANBOURNE STREET, HOUSES (008)
Date: 1880
Nature: 8 houses are being built for Mr Patrick Murray.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WINDSOR PARK AVENUE, HOUSES (002)
Date: 1880
Nature: 2 semi-detached houses, for Samuel Gibson.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, PONSONBY AVENUE, HOUSES (004)
Date: 1880
Nature: Alts. & adds. for William Douglas.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WINDSOR PARK AVENUE, NO. 014
Date: 1880
Nature: 2-storey stuccoed house with cannelled rustication to ground floor and elaborate barge boards, for Mrs Duffield.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161; Paul Larmour, The Architectural Heritage of Malone & Stranmillis (UAHS, 1991), 186

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, WINDSOR PARK AVENUE, HOUSES (002)
Date: 1880
Nature: 2 semi-detached villas for Mr Samuel Gibson.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, MOUNTPOTTINGER, HOUSES (008)
Date: 1880
Nature: Terrace of 8 houses for William Kearney.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, CASTLEREAGH STREET, HOUSES (005)
Date: 1880
Nature: Terrace of 5 houses being built for William Kearney.
Refs: IB 22, 1 Jun 1880, 161

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, NEWTOWNARDS ROAD (BALLYMACARRETT), CHURCH OF ST MATTHEW (RC)
Date: 1881
Nature: Projected, 1868, for Rev. G. Conway, PP. Site found, 1881. Builder: John McElhatton, Cookstown.
Refs: IB 10, 1 Nov 1868, 273; 23, 15 Apr 1881, 126; C.E.B. Brett, Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1985), 50

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ROSEMARY STREET (& BRIDGE STREET), B. & E. MCHUGH & CO.
Date: 1882
Nature: Alts, including new façade and new internal arrangements to structure rebuilt c.1866. Newly constructed portion has dome.. Contractor: William Hunter. Hydraulic lift by Combe & Barbour, Belfast
Refs: IB 24, 15 Jan 1882, 18(illus.); Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 281

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, ORMEAU ROAD (BALLYNAFEIGH), GOOD SHEPHERD CONVENT
Date: 1884
Nature: New residence for sisters in progress Sep 1884. Perforated brick with wrought stone bands.. Contractor: Charles Boyd. Clerk of Works: Patrick Dorrian.
Refs: IB 24, 1 Nov 1882, 321; 26, 1 Sep 1884, 261(illus.); Paul Larmour, Belfast: an illustrated architectural guide (1987), 76, no. 171.

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, KING STREET, ST MARY'S PRESBYTERY
Date: 1885ca
Nature: Patton suggests attribution to A.McA.
Refs: Marcus Patton, Central Belfast: an historical gazetteer (UAHS, 1993), 209

Building: CO. DOWN, ARDGLASS, PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Date: 1886
Nature: New. For Rev. E. Crawford, PP.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, BELFAST, MINERAL WATER CO.
Date: 1886
Nature: Office, stores, stables & yard. 'at present being erected'.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DIVIS STREET (NEW STREETS OFF), HOUSES (030)
Date: 1886
Nature: 'Opening and forming two new streets off Divis-street, and building thirty houses in same, for Arthur Hamill, Esq., JP.'
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. DOWN, KILKEEL, PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Date: 1886
Nature: New. For Very Rev. Richard Marner, DD, PP.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BALLYMENA (NEAR), HOUSE
Date: 1886
Nature: Villa, for James McAlister, Esq, 'at present erecting'.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. ARMAGH, KEADY, ST CLARE'S CONVENT SCHOOLS
Date: 1886
Nature: 'at present erecting'.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. DERRY, LAVEY, CHURCH OF ST MARY (RC)
Date: 1886
Nature: New tower & alts. in progress for Rev. P. McGuirk, PP.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, LINEN HALL STREET, WAREHOUSE (BULLOCH)
Date: 1886
Nature: Enlargement of linen warehouse for Bulloch Bros.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, SPRINGFIELD ROAD, BAKERY
Date: 1886-87
Nature: New bakery in process of erection, 1886, for Edward Hughes, Esq., JP.
Refs: IB 28, 1 Sep 1886, 251; 30, 15 Jan 1888, 16

Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, DERRYVOLGIE AVENUE, NO. 040 (PRESBYTERY)
Date: 1889
Nature: 3-bay,2-storey stuccoed house withchannelled rustication to ground floor.
Refs: Paul Larmour, The Architectural Heritage of Malone & Stranmillis (UAHS, 1991), 59