Irish Museum of Modern Art

Detached four-bay two-storey over part-raised basement former deputy master’s house with dormer attic, built 1762-3, extended 1797. Now in use as art gallery. Hipped slate roofs, rendered chimneystacks, clay chimney pots, aluminium ridge tiles, carved projecting granite eaves course, cast-iron rainwater goods and flat-roofed dormer windows. Central pediment to north elevation, on fluted consoles. Roughcast rendered walls, render plinth course to front elevation forming string course to other elevations. Square-headed window openings, cut granite surrounds and sills, timber sash windows, six-over-three pane to first floor, nine-over-six pane to ground floor. Some carved granite architrave surrounds to ground floor north and rear (west) elevation, those to rear pedimented. Segmental-headed window openings at basement level, cut and carved granite surrounds, sills and keystones, now blocked. Square-headed door opening to front, carved granite architrave surround, fluted consoles supporting triangular pediment, double-leaf glazed timber panelled door. Square-headed door opening at basement level to south elevation, carved granite architrave surround, fluted consoles supporting carved cornice over timber panelled door.

This substantial building formed a component part of the Royal Hospital complex and the grandeur reflects the high status of officers in the army. Built by John Magill, a 'measurer' or quantity surveyor, who was also responsible for overseeing the construction of Trinity College west front and the Parliament House, and was at the time the Commissioner and Overseer of Barracks. It was originally L-plan, as can be seen from its roof. Granite detailing is used to good effect to articulate and enhance the façade, and pedimented cornices and fluted consoles point to classical influences on its design. It retains some original cornices and joinery to the interior.