Lynn, William Henry

Lynn, William Henry (1829–1915). Irish architect. Apprenticed (1846) to Lanyon in Belfast, he later (1854–72) became the latter's partner. The charming Banks at Newtownards, Co. Down, and Dungannon, Co. Tyrone (both 1855), may be cited as two of the earliest exam-ples of the Venetian Gothic style in Ireland, and indeed many of the Italian-inspired build-ings in Belfast that originated in the office of Lanyon & Lynn and Lanyon, Lynn, & Lanyon owed much to his skills (see lanyon entry). Among his works with Lanyon the Church of St Andrew, Dublin (1860), the delightful Hiberno-Romanesque Church of St Patrick, Jordanstown, Co. Antrim (1865–8—complete with round tower), and Chester Town Hall, Ches. (1863–9), should be mentioned. Probably his finest design on his own account was the English First Pointed Carlisle Memorial Methodist Church, Carlisle Circus, Belfast (1872–5—in 2004 derelict). He was also responsible for the Central Library (1883–8—Classical), the Bank Buildings (1895–1900—Classical), and Campbell College (1891–4—Tudor Gothic), all in Belfast, and designed the Town Halls in Paisley, Scotland (1875–82), and Barrow-in-Furness, North Lancs. (1882–7—Gothic), as well as the extension (1891–5) to the Italianate Harbour Office, Belfast. He continued the work of construction at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, after Drew's death, designing the beautiful apsidal baptistery (1915–24).

Bibliography

Brett (1967);
D. Evans & and Larmour (1995);
Larmour (1987);
Perspective: Journal of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, ii/6 (July/Aug. 1994), 35–6;
Quarterly Bulletin of The Irish Georgian Society, xvii/1–2 (Jan/June 1974), 25–30;
Jane Turner (1996)