Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect and civil engineer, of Dublin. John Sterling Butler, who was born circa 1816, was apprenticed to his father, WILLIAM DEANE BUTLER. WILLIAM DEANE BUTLER. (1) He was elected City Architect on 1 October 1866, in place of HUGH BYRNE HUGH BYRNE (2), but in 1878 he appears to have been involved in a serious misdemeanour, which caused him to absent himself and then to resign the post.  In his letter of resignation, dated 26 April 1878 but bearing no address, he alludes to 'recent occurrences which have compelled me to expatriate myself and resign an honourable appointment'.  ' I have not had the hardihood', he continues, 'to face the inquiry necessary to disclose at least a palliation of my share in these unfortunate occurrences, and for all the hounding on of a leading popular journal, intended as a settlement of the question of the invasion of the coroner's powers by the police - I avail myself of this only opportunity of asking your lordship and the council to believe that, though sinning, I have been sinned against.'(3)   He was succeeded  by DANIEL J. FREEMAN. DANIEL J. FREEMAN. (4)  

Butler exhibited designs at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1865-1866 and 1868-1878,(5) and from 1867 to 1873 was architect to the Mendicity Institution.(6)     He died in Paris on 29 June 1885.(7).  He had married Bridget Smith on 15 October 1846 at St James's Catholic church in Dublin and had at least one child, a daughter, Anne, baptised in St James's on 9 July 1850.(8)

ICEI: elected associate, 1857.(9)
RIAI: elected fellow, 21 May 1863.(10)
RHA:(9) associate, 27 May 1865; member, 22 June 1869; auditor 1871-1875;  name removed from list for non-compliance with rules, 25 April 1883.
GLFI: Worshipful Master of Lodge 206 (Dublin) in 1849.(11)

Addresses:(12) Kilmainham, 1849;(13) Hume Street, 1856;(14) 16 Holles Street, 1858-1860; 16 Hume Street, 1863-1866; 40 St Stephen's Green, 1866-1878.

See WORKS.



References



(1) ICEI membership applications, I, 19.
(2) DB 8, 15 Oct 1866, 247; B 24, 20 Oct 1866, 785. The two other candidates were E.H. Carson and Charles Geoghegan.
(3) Freeman's Journal, 14 May 1878. Thom's Directory, 1868-1873. 
(4) IB 20, 15 May 1878, 151. 
(5) RHA Index, I, 104-5. 
(6) Irish Times, 26 Dec 1867. Jones transcripts from Thom's Directory, 1871-1875.
(7) Weekly Irish Times, 11 Jul 1885.
(8) www.irish genealogy.ie (last visited, Mar 2011).
(9) See note 1, above.
(10) RIAI general meeting minutes, 8 May 1863, 8; general meeting minutes, 21 May 1863, 127.
(9) Strickland, 2, 623.
(11) GLFI archives.
(12) From Thom's and Post Office Directories and RHA Index, I, 104, unless otherwise stated.
(13) See note 10, above.
(13) See note 1, above.


52 work entries listed in chronological order for BUTLER, JOHN STERLING


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Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, USHER'S ISLAND, MENDICITY INSTITUTION
Date: 1850-1852;1861-
Nature: Won prize for converting part into bathroom &c.   Alts. & adds (renewal of windows, replacement of 'heavy dead wall' & gates by railings, plastering of exterior in compo, replacement of large metal gutter by parape). Tenders invited for carrying out improvements to same, Jul 1861.
Refs: B 8, 5 Oct 1850, 473; 10, 13 Mar,20 Nov 1852, 172,738;  Irish Times, 9 Jul 1861, 7 May 1862;  DB 3, 15 Jul 1861, 578; 4, 15 May 1862, 123

Building: ?, KILMORE, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1852
Nature: New.
Refs: B 10, 17 Jul 1852, 460

Building: CO. MAYO, KILMOVEE, CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (RC)
Date: 1852-1859
Nature: New church in Gothic style;  'to be erected', 1852; dedicated, Oct 1859.
Refs: B 10, 11 Jul 1852, 460;  Liam Swords, Achonry and its churches (Strasbourg: Éditions du Signe, 2007), 78(illus.).
 

Building: CO. MAYO, BALLAGHADERREEN, CATHEDRAL OF THE ANNUNCIATION & ST NATHY (RC, ACHONRY DIOCESE)
Date: 1854
Nature: Unexecuted designs for same?
Refs: B 12, 15 Apr,7 Oct 1854, 197,526

Building: CO. GALWAY, CLIFDEN, CONVENT OF MERCY
Date: 1855
Nature: New convent, church, & schools. 'Nearly finished' with exception of schools, cells and enclosure walls in Feb 1855.
Refs: B 12, 18 Feb 1854, 89; B 13, 3 Feb 1855, 59

Building: CO. LAOIS, ABBEYLEIX, DE VESCI TESTIMONIAL
Date: 1858-1860
Nature: 20 ft sq, 25 ft high. Tenders being received Aug 1858. Contractor: John Rafter, Rosenallis.
Refs: B 16, 28 Aug 1858, 591; DB 2, 1 Jul 1860, 298, which refers readers to 'recent number of Agricultural Review'

Building: CO. TIPPERARY, CLONMEL, VICTORIA HOUSE
Date: 1859
Nature: Additions for Mssrs. McSwiney and Reidy
Refs: DB 1, 1 Jul 1859, 89

Building: CO. LAOIS, RAHEEN, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1859
Nature: -
Refs: DB 1, 1 Apr 1859, 43; B 17, 20 Aug 1859, 556

Building: CO. CORK, CORK, SS. PETER & PAUL PLACE, CHURCH OF SS. PETER & PAUL (RC)
Date: 1859
Nature: Competition entrant
Refs: B 17, 2,9 Apr 1859, 241,258

Building: CO. GALWAY, DUNMORE, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1859
Nature: New tower
Refs: B 17, 1859, 615

Building: CO. LAOIS, MOUNTMELLICK, PRESENTATION CONVENT
Date: 1860
Nature: New.
Refs: DB 2, 1 Feb,1 Dec 1860, 204,380; 3, 15 Nov 1861, 684; B 18, ? ? 1860, 141

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, PROSPECT ROAD (GLASNEVIN), ST VINCENT DE PAUL MALE ORPHANAGE
Date: 1860
Nature: New orphanage for Society of St Vincaent de Paul. JSB winner of limited competition. FS laid Dec 1859. Opened Nov 1860. Builder: Meares (i.e. Meade?)
Refs: B 16, 18 Sep 1858, 638; 17, 1 Jan 1859, 15; DB 2, 1 May,1 Dec 1860, 259,380; 3, 15 Nov 1861, 684(illus.)

Building: CO. TIPPERARY, ROSCREA, ABBEY STREET, CHURCH OF ST CRONAN (RC)
Date: 1860
Nature: Church designed by W. Deane Butler. Finishing of interior directed by JSB. £10,000. Contractor: Hogan & Son.
Refs: IB 2, 1 Oct 1860, 352

Building: CO. WICKLOW, BRAY, VEVAY ROAD, LORETO CONVENT
Date: 1860a
Nature: New convent built on property sold by George Putland ante 1860.  Design exh. RHA, 1866.
Refs: RHA 1866, no. 519.; G.R. Powell, Official Railway Handbook to Bray, Kingstown, and the Coast (1860), 12. 

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, ARRAN QUAY, NO. 008 (BERRY, SEEDSMAN)
Date: 1861
Nature: Additions. Builder: William Hughes.
Refs: DB 1, 1 Dec 1859, 164; 3, 15 Jun 1861, 547

Building: CO. LAOIS, MOUNTRATH, CHURCH OF ST FINTAN (RC)
Date: 1861
Nature: New Gothic church with tower & spire.  1st stone laid Feb 1861. Contractor: Beardwood & Son and John Rafter (Rosenallis). Cost:£6,354.
Refs: DB 3, 1 Mar 1861, 448; B 19, 2 Mar 1861, 147; RHA 1869, no. 223;  John McEvoy, ed., The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 AD (Strasbourg: Editions du Signe, 2000), 44(illus.), 72(illus.).


Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUN LAOGHAIRE, GEORGE'S STREET UPPER, NO. 021 & 22 (BUCKLEY'S DRAPERY SHOP)
Date: 1861
Nature: Alterations. Builder: W. Hughes.
Refs: DB 3, 1 May 1861, 501

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, KILDARE STREET, NO. 006 (ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS)
Date: 1861
Nature: Submits unselected design in limited competition
Refs: DB 3, 1 Aug 1861, 589; B 19, 3 Aug 1861, 535

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, GLASNEVIN, PROSPECT CEMETERY
Date: 1861
Nature: 'Impressive & handsome memorial structure in Gothic style'. Height 34 ft.
Refs: DB 3, 15 Jan 1861, 409

Building: CO. LAOIS, PORTLAOISE, PAROCHIAL HOUSE
Date: 1861
Nature: FS laid on site known as old Golden Croft. Builder: Edward Craven, Portlaoise.
Refs: DB 3, 15 Jul 1861, 578

Building: CO. LEITRIM, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON, HOUSE AND OFFICES
Date: 1861
Nature: -
Refs: DB 3, 15 Apr 1861, 486-7

Building: CO. KILDARE, CLOGHERINKOE, CHURCH OF ST BRIDGET (RC)
Date: 1861-62
Nature: New church, for Rev. Felix Tracy, PP.  In progress, 1861`-62. Early Decorated Gothic. Local black stone with Carrick limestone dressing. Builder: Keegan, Killucan. Clerk of Works: Peter Killian. Will cost about £3000.
Refs: DB 3, 1 Jun 1861, 531 (or 530?); 4, 1 Aug 1862, 199;  John McEvoy, ed., The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 AD (Strasbourg: Editions du Signe, 2000), 109(illus.).


Building: CO. LAOIS, EMO, CHURCH OF ST PAUL (RC)
Date: 1861-66
Nature: New decorated Gothic church with tower & spire, for Rev. Terence O'Connell. FS laid 18 Jun 1861. Dedicated 16 Sep 1866.
Refs: DB 3, 1 Jul 1861, 564; 8, 15 Sep 1866, 230; RHA 1868, no. 325;  John McEvoy, ed., The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 AD (Strasbourg: Editions du Signe, 2000), 78(illus.).

Building: CO. DUBLIN, ST EDMUNDSBURY (LUCAN)
Date: 1862
Nature: Improvements, for Hon. Judge Berwick
Refs: DB 4, 1 Apr 1862, 85

Building: CO. KILDARE, BROADFORD, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1862-1865
Nature: New cruciform? church built next to old chapel of 1790 in Early English style. Projected,1862. Opened Jul 1865. Nave, chancel, altar of imitation Portland stone inlaid with stained glass. E window dedicated to donor of site.
Refs: DB 4, 15 Mar 1862, 69; 7, 1 Aug 1865, 191;  John McEvoy, ed., The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 AD (Strasbourg: Editions du Signe, 2000), 108(illus.)..


Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, HOWTH, THE MURROUGH, HOUSE
Date: 1863
Nature: Mediaeval villa, designed for himself
Refs: DB 5, 15 Jul 1863, 120

Building: CO. LAOIS, PORTLAOISE, DISTRICT LUNATIC ASYLUM
Date: 1863-1866
Nature: Additions and improvements
Refs: DB 5, 15 Mar,15 Apr 1863, 54,70; 8, 15 Jun 1866, 160

Building: CO. KILKENNY, KILKENNY, PARADE, BANK OF IRELAND
Date: 1865
Nature: New bank completed and opened. Contractor: J. Wright, Kilkenny.
Refs: DB 7, 15 Apr 1865, 101

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CONVENT AVENUE (FAIRVIEW), NO. 003 (ST VINCENT'S LUNATIC ASYLUM)
Date: 1865ca
Nature: Design for same by JSB.
Refs: RHA 1865, no. 451; DB 7, 1 May 1865, 111

Building: CO. KILDARE, KILDARE, HOUSE
Date: 1866
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of same.
Refs: General Adveriser, 24 Mar 1866

Building: CO. TIPPERARY, CARRICK-ON-SUIR, COUNTY HALL
Date: 1866
Nature: Tenders invited for erecting same, Jun 1866.
Refs: B 24, 15,23 Jun 1866, 160,474; DB 8, 1 Jun 1866, 147

Building: CO. KILKENNY, KILKENNY, JAMES'S STREET, CATHEDRAL OF ST MARY (RC)
Date: 1866
Nature: New reredos to be erected. Tenders sought.
Refs: DB 8, 1 Jun 1866, 147

Building: CO. KILKENNY, KILKENNY, DUBLIN ROAD, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (RC, OLD)
Date: 1866
Nature: New reredos. Tenders invited.
Refs: General Advertiser, 26 May 1866; DB 8, 1,15 Jun 1866, 147,160

Building: CO. LEITRIM, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON, COUNTY HALL
Date: 1866
Nature: Tenders sought for erecting same.
Refs: General Adveriser, 26 May 1866; DB 8, 1,15 Jun 1866, 147,160

Building: CO. KILDARE, ALLEN, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1866-1868
Nature: New Gothic church for Rev. Eugene O'Reilly, PP..Tenders invited Oct 1866.
Refs: DB 8, 1,15 Oct 1866, 242,253; RHA 1868, no. 324;  John McEvoy, ed., The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 AD (Strasbourg: Editions du Signe, 2000), 104(illus.).

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CORK HILL, ROYAL EXCHANGE (CITY HALL)
Date: 1867
Nature: Alterations, new doors & windows.
Refs: 2 signed drawings, one dated 20 Apr 1867, formerly in collection of Maurice Craig, in IAA (Acc. 95/38)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, STILLORGAN, LEOPARDSTOWN ROAD, CONVALESCENT HOME
Date: 1868?
Nature: -
Refs: RHA 1872, 324; Dublin Exhibiton of Arts, Industries, Manufactures and Loan Museum 1872, no. 947

Building: CANADA, NEW BRUNSWICK, ST JOHN'S, MONUMENTAL MORTUARY CHAPEL
Date: 1869
Nature: -
Refs: RHA 1869, no. 210

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, COLLEGE GREEN, TRINITY COLLEGE
Date: 1869
Nature: Proposals, in collaboration with John McCurdy, for improving area in front of Trinity College by moving railings 12 ft nearer to West Front, replacing railings with 'handsome stone balustrade', erecting fountains in front of Burke and Goldsmith statues;  'blank and dingy' wall on College Street to be replaced by railings similar to those on Nassau St
Refs: Irish Times, 21 Jun 1869.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, D'OLIER STREET, DUBLIN LIBRARY
Date: 1870
Nature: Work begun on improvements. Contractor: Meade & Son.
Refs: Irish Times, 23 Jun 1870.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, COLLEGE GREEN, TRINITY COLLEGE
Date: 1870
Nature: Proposed improvements to College St front
Refs: RHA 1870, no. 250

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, GREEN STREET, POTATO MARKET
Date: 1870
Nature: Tenders invited for erection of porato market to plans by City Architect on site of Newgate Gaol, Apr 1870.
Refs: Irish Times, 2 Apr 1870.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CAPEL STREET, NO. 006
Date: 1871?
Nature: Licensed premises, advertised as for sale in Nov 1883, described as having 'a most attractive frontage, facing Capel street and Great Strand street, with three public and one private entrance, finished in a most tasteful manner after designs by by the late City Architect, Mr Butler'.
Refs: Irish Times, 28,29,30 Nov,7,11,13,14,17 Dec 1883.

Building: CO. WICKLOW, BALTINGLASS, CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH (RC)
Date: 1872
Nature: New tower, high altar.
Refs: RHA 1872, no. 359; 1873, no. 320; IB 14, 15 Mar 1872, 89;  John McEvoy, ed., The Churches of Kildare and Leighlin 2000 AD (Strasbourg: Editions du Signe, 2000), 36(illus.).

Building: CO. LAOIS, PORTLAOISE, CHURCH OF SS PETER & PAUL (RC, OLD)
Date: 1872
Nature: Western entrance and tower
Refs: RHA 1872, no. 362; IB 14, 15 Mar 1872, 89; illus. in http://www.askaboutireland.ie/show_asset.do?mb=1&asset_id=7493 (2008)

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, PHIBSBOROUGH ROAD, NO. 160 & 161 (DUNPHY'S CORNER)
Date: 1873
Nature: New premises, for Thomas Dunphy, family grocer.  'This fine concern, which is of a higly ornate character, was newly built in 1873 (at a cost of £5,000) of the best materials, within and without, by Mr James Donnelly, Builder, Upper Temple street, by Mr J.S. Butler, the tenn City Architect, and nothing was omitted which thoughtful experience could suggest.'  Ground floor of Ballyknockan granite, red brick above woth Portland cement dressings.
Refs: Auction advertisement in Irish Times, 3,6,9 Sep 1890.

Building: CO. KILDARE, CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE
Date: 1873-74
Nature: Additions.  Tenders invited, Mar 1874.
Refs: RHA 1873, no. 321;  Irish Times, 26,28,30 Mar 1874.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CIRCULAR ROAD NORTH (PHIBSBOROUGH), CHURCH OF ST PETER (RC)
Date: 1873;1875
Nature: High altar; Sacred Heart Altar
Refs: RHA 1873, no. 311; 1875, no. 223; IB 15, 1 Apr 1873, 95

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, AUGHRIM STREET, CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY OR ST GABRIEL (RC)
Date: 1874-1876
Nature: New church in Early Decorated Gothic style.  FS laid by Cardinal Cullen, 26 Apr 1874. To cost about £10,000. Contractor: Meade.  Completed, except for high altar, organ gallery and some internal details, by Oct 1876.
Refs: Clonliffe College Archive MS p1/2; RHA 1874, no. 290;  Irish Times, 27 Apr 1874, 23 Oct 1876;  N. Donnelly, Short Histories of Dublin Parishes, II, 35;  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005),244.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, DAWSON STREET, MANSION HOUSE (INCLUDING ROUND ROOM)
Date: 1876
Nature: Tenders invited for execution of 'certain works', Apr 1876.
Refs: Irish Times, 24 Apr 1876.

Building: CO. LAOIS, COURTWOOD, CHURCH (RC)
Date: 1877
Nature: -
Refs: RHA 1877, no. 301

Building: CO. CORK, GLANDORE CASTLE HOTEL
Date: 1878
Nature: Design exh. RHA.
Refs: RHA 1878, no. 584