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Georgian Grandeur and Financial Ruin: The Story of Newcomen Bank and its Architect
The distinguished building on Lord Edward Street, currently serving as the Dublin City Council Rates Office and situated beside City Hall, boasts a rich history intertwined with the work of a notable Irish architect and the dramatic failure of a prominent banking family. Originally designed as the Newcomen Bank by architect Thomas Ivory, the structure has witnessed significant transformations since its construction in the late 18th century, including the addition of a public fountain.  

Thomas Ivory: Master of Georgian Dublin

Thomas Ivory (c. 1732–1786) was a significant figure in the architectural landscape of Georgian Dublin. Initially trained as a carpenter, he developed his skills in architectural draughtsmanship and became the first master of the Dublin Society’s Architectural School in 1759, a position he held until his death. While some of his ambitious designs, such as those for the Four Courts and Newgate Prison, were not ultimately executed by him, Ivory left a lasting mark on the city with his refined Palladian and Neoclassical style. His most celebrated work is the King’s Hospital, or Blue Coat School, in Blackhall Place, a commission he won in 1773. Newcomen Bank, designed around 1781, stands as another key example of his elegant and precisely detailed architectural output, notable for its use of high-quality materials like Portland stone.  

Newcomen Bank and the Fate of Thomas Viscount Newcomen

Newcomen Bank originated from an earlier banking business in the 1720s, with the Newcomen family becoming prominent partners. Sir William Gleadowe-Newcomen, 1st Baronet, commissioned Thomas Ivory to design the new bank building on what is now Lord Edward Street in 1781. The bank operated successfully for a period, but its fortunes changed dramatically in the early 19th century. Sir William’s son, Thomas Gleadowe-Newcomen (1776–1825), who became the 2nd Viscount Newcomen upon his mother’s death in 1817, inherited the bank’s management. However, unlike his predecessors, Thomas Viscount Newcomen reportedly lacked financial acumen and accumulated significant debts, including substantial borrowings from his own bank. These financial difficulties ultimately led to the collapse and closure of Newcomen Bank in 1825, a ruin that also befell other prominent families connected to the institution and tragically culminated in the Viscount’s suicide.  

The Building’s Evolution and the Addition of the Fountain

The original Newcomen Bank building, constructed of Portland stone, was initially smaller than its present form. In the 1820s, following the bank’s closure, the building was acquired by the Hibernian Bank and later, in 1884, by Dublin Corporation. The significant expansion mentioned in various accounts, where a mirror-image was built and the two parts linked by a portico, likely refers to alterations made after the Newcomen family’s ownership, potentially during the Hibernian Bank’s tenure or later by the Corporation.

My photographs show the water fountain on the Lord Edward Street side of the building, which corresponds to the north elevation. Historical records indicate that Lord Edward Street was created in 1886, and the north elevation of the former Newcomen Bank building was remodelled by Dublin Corporation architect Daniel J. Freeman in 1884 to create a frontage onto this new street.  

Based on this information, the fountain was not part of the original building designed by Thomas Ivory in 1781, as the Lord Edward Street elevation it adorns was added or significantly altered a century later. It was installed as part of the remodelling works undertaken by Dublin Corporation around 1884, coinciding with the creation of Lord Edward Street. While the specific commissioning document for the fountain itself was not found in any of my searches, it is highly probable that it was commissioned by Dublin Corporation as part of the broader public works and street improvements in the area under the direction of the City Architect’s office during that period. Public fountains were often installed in urban areas in the late 19th century for public health and convenience.