Thomas Duff

Infobox Architect

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image_size =
caption = St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh
name = Thomas Duff
nationality =
birth_date = 1792
birth_place = Newry, County Down, Ireland (now Northern Ireland)
death_date = 1848
death_place =
alma_matter =
practice_name =
significant_buildings= St. Patricks Cathedral, Armagh
significant_projects =
significant_design =
awards =

Thomas John Duff (1792-1848) ["Thomas Duff." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press, 1999, 2006.] was an Irish architect from the town (now city) of Newry, County Down. Duff was the principle architect of a number of Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals in the northeast of Ireland.

His work included three churches dedicated to St.Patrick: St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, Dundalk (modelled on King's College Chapel, Cambridge)cite web|url=http://ireland.archiseek.com/buildings_ireland/louth/dundalk/st_patricks.html|title=St. Patricks Church, Dundalk, Louth|publisher=Archiseek.com|accessdate=2008-06-09] ; the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick and St. Colman, Newry,cite web|url=http://www.newryandmourne.gov.uk/tourism/attractions/historical/newry_cathedral.asp|title=Newry Cathedral|publisher=Newry And Mourne District Council|accessdate=2008-06-09] and Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh citycite web|url=http://ireland.archiseek.com/buildings_ireland/armagh/armagh/st_patricks.html|title=St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh City|publisher=Archiseek.com|accessdate=2008-06-09] . Duff also designed St. Patrick's School in Belfast, the city's first National Schoolcite web|url=http://www.gotobelfast.com/downloads/Historic%20Belfast%20Leaflet.pdf|title=Historic Belfast|publisher=GotoBelfast.com|pages=p2|accessdate=2008-06-09] and believed to be the last remaining Gothic Revival building in Belfastcite web|url=http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/news/2003/new15012003.htm|title=Arts Council Takes Lead On Architecture|publisher=Arts Council Of Northern Ireland|accessdate=2008-06-10] .

The Cathedral Church of St. Patrick and St. Colman, Newry

The cathedral in Newry was constructed between 1823 and 1829, and was the first Catholic church to be erected following Catholic Emancipation. The cathedral was described by a contemporary guide book in glowing terms: "This ediface may be ranked among the finest public buildings in Ireland, and is another enduring monument of the genius of Mr. Duff, who has studded the north of the kingdom, as it were, with evidence of his own ability, and of the good sense of his countrymen in employing a native artist." [cite book|title=A Picturesque Handbook to Carlingford Bay|publisher=Curry|pages=p143|url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=9x4wAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=2008-06-10]

t. Patrick's, Armagh

The construction of St. Patrick's in Armagh began in 1840, but was suspended due to the intervention of the famine. Duff had died by the time construction resumed in 1854, the project being completed by J.J. McCarthy who finished the project in a decorated gothic style as opposed to the 16th century gothic preferred by Duff. This led to the situation, more familiar in genuine Gothic churches, whereby the cathedral was constructed in one style up to the aisles and a different style above this point.cite web|url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=ANgdh-3cMowC&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=biography+of+architect+thomas+duff&source=web&ots=h9yuJ1JUqW&sig=oF2a4NU2QeDD_Wy-2WWsR0Uq3Y0&hl=en|title=The Blackwell Companion To Modern Irish Culture|last=McCormack|first=W.J.|date=2001|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|pages=24|accessdate=2008-06-09]

t. Patrick's, Dundalk

St. Patrick's, Dundalk was also under development at the time of Duff's death and was likewise completed by McCarthy .

References