Sir Edward Lovett Pearce (1699-1733) was the leading exponent of Palladianism in Ireland along with Richard Cassels. In 1726 Pearce became the MP for Ratoath after a disputed election. His father, General Edward Pearce was first cousin to Vanburgh and Pearce came under his tutelage in 1715 after his father’s death. He spent three years travelling in France and Italy studying as an architect before returning to Ireland to practice. His most important work is the former Houses of Parliament (1728-1739) in College Green now the Bank of Ireland which was completed after his death. Although later extended by Gandon And Johnston, his design can still be seen with the central arcade of columns and pediment. The original octagonal House of Commons was burnt in 1792 and later demolished but his House of Lords survives intact. He also designed the south façade of Drumcondra House (1727) and Cashel Palace (1731) along with many other country and town houses including two at Henrietta Street for Luke Gardiner.
He is believed to have been the architect of the immense house at Summerhill, County Meath now destroyed, although Richard Cassels is accredited as the executant architect. Another important country house designed by Pearce is Bellamont Forest (1730), Cootehill, County Cavan. This Palladian mansion constructed in brick still stands and is a family home. His entire architectural output came from a seven year period before his early death. He became Surveyor General of Ireland in 1730, a post which he held until his early death in 1733.
The State Apartments in Dublin Castle were originally constructed as living accommodation for the Lord Lieutenant. The Lord Lieutenants preferred the comforts of the Phoenix Park residence however and tended to live there except for Castle Season when a series of Balls and events was held for fashionable society at the castle.
The interior of No 9 Henrietta Street has an excellent staircase and hall and can be seen through the courtesy of the Sisters of Charity in the afternoons from April to September.
In the eighteenth century as the Georgian streetscape of Dublin was being developed, the castle was redeveloped also. A young architect believed to be Sir Edward Lovett Pearce redesigned the upper yard using the basic design inherited from Sir William Robinson.
Castletown is the largest and grandest Palladian country house in Ireland. It was built for William Conolly (1662-1729),
Designed by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce and was built in 1726 for Sir Marmaduke Coghill who had lived in nearby Belvedere House.
Stillorgan Obelisk was built in 1727 at the instigation of Lord Allen, probably to provide local employment that year.
Built between 1725 and 1730 for Thomas Coote, once Lord Justice of Ireland, and designed by Coote’s gifted nephew,
It was built circa 1730 by Luke Gardiner as his own residence. The design of the original building has been attributed to Sir Edward Lovett Pearce.
Around 1730, Sir Edward Lovett Pearce designed a replacement of Stillorgan House for the 2nd Viscount Allen.
Summerhill House was a 100 roomed country house which was the ancestral seat of the Langford Rowley family.
Map is being rolled out, not all buildings are mapped yet - shows location of buildings on this page.
