1937 – Dublin Airport, Collinstown, Co. Dublin
Architect: Desmond FitzGerald
The original Dublin airport teminal was the most important pre-war Irish building in the International Style.
Desmond Fitzgerald (1910-1987)
Desmond Fitzgerald studied at University College Dublin. Very much known for one building – Dublin Airport at Collinstown (1937-1941), Fitzgerald was responsible for other buildings in the city – many of them reviled including O’Connell Bridge House and Department of Justice offices on St Stephens Green. He was responsible for teaching many of the leading Irish architects of today as he held the chair of Architecture at UCD from 1951-1969. He was forced to resign the chair in 1969 under pressure from dissatisfied students.
His Dublin Airport is the most important pre-war building in Dublin and was designed and built in near secrecy with its facilities only formally disclosed after the Second World War. It is now usually accepted that much of the design was initiated by members of his staff of the time.
1943 – Former Hotel / Hospital, Foynes, Co. Limerick
Architect: Desmond Fitzgerald
The former St. Senan’s hospital was built by the Government as a hotel accommodation for passengers travelling on the flying boats which passed through Foynes while en-route to America and Continental Europe.
1953 – Moyne Institute, Trinity College Dublin
Architect: Desmond Fitzgerald
One of the least inspring buildings of the Trinity College campus. The Moyne Institute faces across the cricket pitch to the remainder of the campus,
1960s – Unbuilt twin for O’Connell Bridge House, Dublin
Architect: Desmond Fitzgerald
After O’Connell Bridge House was constructed in 1965 on the eastern side, it was suggested that a twin be built on the site of the Ballast Office on the western side.
1965 – O’Connell Bridge House, D’Olier Street, Dublin
Architect: Desmond Fitzgerald
Much hated building on a very important site, O’Connell Bridge House stands 11 storeys high and overlooks O’Connell Bridge.
