Ulster Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ulster Hotel |
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Ulster Hotel, 2009
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| Location | 25 Brisbane Street, Ipswich, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Official name: Ulster Hotel | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600564 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) 1910-ongoing (historical use) |
| Significant components | toilet block/earth closet/water closet, garage |
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The Ulster Hotel is a historic building located at 25 Brisbane Street in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1910 and is known for its unique design. This hotel is recognized for its importance and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
Discovering the Ulster Hotel's Past
The land where the Ulster Hotel stands was first bought by Martin Byrne. He purchased it on November 1, 1851, for twelve pounds.
Early Days as the Horse and Jockey
From 1872, a different hotel called the Horse and Jockey operated here. It was a timber building with a shingle roof. William Thompson was the first person to run it, from 1872 to 1880.
Becoming the Ulster Hotel
In 1881, Thomas Breen took over the hotel. He changed its name to the Ulster Hotel. Over the next few years, the hotel had several different owners.
A New Building in 1910
On August 19, 1892, Patrick O'Sullivan became the owner of the land. He was a local store owner and hotel manager. O'Sullivan was also one of the first Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1860. He represented Ipswich in the government until 1892.
The current Ulster Hotel building was likely built or rebuilt around 1910. This date is clearly shown on the hotel's front wall. Building a new, bigger hotel showed that Ipswich was growing. It was becoming an important center for business and industry.
The "Dempsey" Era
In 1934, a famous rugby player named Dan Dempsey took over the Ulster Hotel. He was a member of the Kangaroo rugby team. The hotel became known locally as "the Dempsey" because of him.
Dan Dempsey was a very popular publican. During World War II, there was a shortage of beer. Dempsey made sure miners could get beer after their shifts. It was common for a large barrel of beer to be finished in just 20 minutes when the miners arrived!
Family Tradition Continues
Dan Dempsey's daughter, Norma, and her husband Dennis Flannery, took over the hotel in 1953. They continued to run the Ulster Hotel for many years.
Exploring the Hotel's Design
The Ulster Hotel is a two-story building made of strong brick. It stands proudly on the corner of Brisbane and Mortimer streets. The building has a sloped roof with a decorative iron vent.
Outside Features
The front wall of the public bar extends out to the footpath. It goes up past the roof to form a fancy top section. This part faces the street corner. An arch on this top section clearly says "Ulster Hotel 1910."
The building then steps back along Brisbane Street. This creates a wider porch area on both the first floor and the ground floor. The main entrance leads from this porch into the hotel.
Public Bar and Windows
The public bar is on the ground floor, on the eastern side. Its entrance has old double timber doors with an arched window above. Many double-hung windows with arched tops are on either side of the doorway. These windows and doors have special decorations around them.
The upper floor porch hangs out over the footpath. It has a metal railing and a curved roof. The ground floor porch also has metal railings with wooden decorations.
Inside the Hotel
A central hallway welcomes you from the ground floor porch. Inside, there's a wooden staircase with carved railings. This staircase leads up to the second floor. The entrance to the hall has double timber doors. They have colorful stained glass panels on the sides and above.
To the right of the main hallway, a smaller hall leads to the public bar. The inside walls are smooth with wooden trim. The ceilings are made of wooden boards. The public bar has a special pressed metal ceiling. It still has its original wooden entry doors and windows.
To the left of the main hallway, there was once a large dining room. It had two smaller sitting rooms that opened onto the street. While some walls have changed, the original doors and windows are still there.
Back of the Hotel
At the back of the hotel, there's a single-story kitchen area. A two-story block was added behind the public bar for toilets. There's also a brick garage at the back, accessed from Mortimer Street.
The Ulster Hotel is a noticeable building in Ipswich. Its location on a corner and its design make it stand out.
Why the Ulster Hotel is Important
The Ulster Hotel was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it is recognized as a special historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
Built in 1910, the Ulster Hotel shows how Ipswich grew around the early 1900s. It was one of many strong brick buildings constructed then. The hotel's grand look also shows how important local hotels were to communities back then.
A Great Example of Hotel Design
The Ulster Hotel is a good example of a Queensland Federation-style hotel. Many of its original design features are still visible today.
Beautiful and Well-Designed
The Ulster Hotel adds beauty to the Brisbane Street area. Its size, detailed design, and prominent corner spot make it special. Its architecture shows skilled design and excellent craftsmanship.
Important to the Community
The hotel has a strong connection with the local community. It has been a place for social gatherings since it was built in 1910. Even before that, the previous hotel on this site was a community hub.
Connected to Key People
The Ulster Hotel is linked to important people in Queensland's history. It has a special connection with Patrick O'Sullivan, an Ipswich businessman and early politician. It is also strongly associated with Dan Dempsey, the popular publican who gave the hotel its famous nickname, "the Dempsey." His family continues to run the hotel today.
