A VERY OLD GLASSHOUSE

THIS IS A VERY OLD STRUCTURE

The main glasshouse at Belfast Botanic Gardens is the Palm House. It is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear cast-iron glasshouse and predates the famous Palm House at Kew Gardens.

Design and Construction:

Designed by: Charles Lanyon, a prominent Belfast architect.
Ironwork by: Richard Turner, a renowned ironmaster from Dublin.
Construction start: 1839 (two wings completed in 1840).
Dome added: 1852 (by Young of Edinburgh).
Funding:

The construction was funded by the Belfast Botanical and Horticultural Society, which was established in 1828.

Condition and Renovations:

In 2017 the Palm House may have shown signs of its age. It's an old structure, and maintaining such a building requires ongoing care. However, there have been restoration efforts over the years.

2014: A major restoration project was undertaken to address issues with the ironwork, glazing, and paintwork.
Ongoing maintenance: Regular upkeep is essential for preserving a historic structure like the Palm House.

Changes since 2017:

It's possible that there have been further restoration or maintenance efforts since my visit in 2017. The Belfast Botanic Gardens is a popular attraction, and preserving the Palm House is likely a priority.