William Atkins (architect) facts for kids
William Atkins (born around 1811, died 1887) was a talented Irish architect from the Victorian era. He was born in County Cork, Ireland. It's believed he learned his skills by working for another architect, George Richard Pain, who was also his uncle by marriage. Atkins designed many important buildings, especially in Ireland.
Amazing Buildings by William Atkins
In 1846, William Atkins got a very big job in Cork city. He was asked to design and build the Cork City and County Asylum. This large building is now often called Our Lady's Hospital. The job came from the Board of Works, a government group. Another famous architect, Thomas Deane, also wanted this project.
Atkins designed the building in a style called Gothic Revival. It was built between 1846 and 1853. Many people say this hospital has the longest corridor in all of Europe! Part of the building has since been turned into apartments called "Atkin's Hall."
Atkins also designed many other important buildings and structures:
- Funerary Chapel (1845) at Mount Jerome Cemetery in Dublin. This was one of the first churches in Dublin built in a special Gothic style called Puginian Gothic.
- St Mary's Priory in Cork (1850). This church was built in a unique style inspired by old Roman buildings, sometimes called Ruskinian neo-Romanesque.
- Oak Park (1857–60), a large private house near Tralee, County Kerry.
- Muckross Estate (1857). Atkins added a porte-cochère (a covered entrance for carriages) and a gatehouse, along with other improvements to this estate.
- Father Mathew Statue (1864). Atkins designed the base for this statue, while the statue itself was created by John Henry Foley.
- Holy Trinity Church (1867) in East Ferry, County Cork.
- St. Michael and All Angels church (1881), located in Corkbeg parish, Whitegate, County Cork.
In 1851, Atkins also won first prize for his design for a new town hall in Cork. However, this building was never actually constructed.
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