The Irish Gate Lodge - Reimagined
Ireland once had 10,000 gate lodges but only half of the surviving 6,000 are occupied, many are architecturally significant, a neglected treasure displaying a range of architectural styles by the roadside.
The gates with their lodges were built to retain livestock and at the same time to deter intruders. However, in the space of approximately 150 years the gate lodge changed from the function of defence and vigilance into a fashion statement.
Coolebrooke Park House, Enniskillen
Blandon Park, Belfast
Landowners recognised that power and authority could be expressed by having a strong visual statement at the main entrance leading to the Big House. Therefore, high-quality design and workmanship were used at these main entrances to the estate.
This was achieved by building large decorative entrance gates and decorative gate lodges. The intention was to create a positive first impression to the visitor before the view of the imposing Big House. It also gave architects the opportunity to create new architectural designs.
The style of the gate lodges changed from a classical style in the eighteenth century to the more decorative structures in the nineteenth century, inspired by the Romantic Movement. They were built in a vast range of different styles, some very simple cottage designs and others very lavish.
Malone Park, Belfast
Salterbridge Gatelodge - Co Cork
Today, the gate lodge is considered by many as an important part of Irish heritage. It provides historical evidence of the past particularly the architectural designs, how and why the lodges were built and perhaps most importantly the social structure of society during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Tragically, most of the gate lodges were left abandoned as they were no longer required in the twentieth century. However, thankfully, some were preserved and are lived in today.
Paul McAlister Architects have taken inspiration from these gate lodges and incorporated it into our latest design which you can see below.