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Where: Northern Ireland, Belfast, United Kingdom
Try to find the spot where the photographer was standing.
When: Unknown
Try to find the date or year when this image was made.
This fine old building looks neglected and abandoned all those years ago, is it even there now?
And the short answer is: yes - it's Assembly's College (now part of Queens University Belfast)
The longer answer, with particular thanks to O Mac, and additional contributions from Niall McAuley and ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq is that this image may have been taken relatively early in the 1860-1883 catalogue range. Possibly as part of a series which captured a number of buildings by Charles Lanyon around Belfast. Some of which we've visited recently. Some solid arguments for date and impetus behind the likely commission in the comments below...
Photographers: Frederick Holland Mares, James Simonton
Contributor: John Fortune Lawrence
Collection: Stereo Pairs Photograph Collection
Date: Circa 1860 - 1883 (and possibly in the first decade of the range)
NLI Ref: STP_0438
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 62752
And the short answer is: yes - it's Assembly's College (now part of Queens University Belfast)
The longer answer, with particular thanks to O Mac, and additional contributions from Niall McAuley and ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq is that this image may have been taken relatively early in the 1860-1883 catalogue range. Possibly as part of a series which captured a number of buildings by Charles Lanyon around Belfast. Some of which we've visited recently. Some solid arguments for date and impetus behind the likely commission in the comments below...
Photographers: Frederick Holland Mares, James Simonton
Contributor: John Fortune Lawrence
Collection: Stereo Pairs Photograph Collection
Date: Circa 1860 - 1883 (and possibly in the first decade of the range)
NLI Ref: STP_0438
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at catalogue.nli.ie
Info:
Owner: National Library of Ireland on The CommonsSource: Flickr Commons
Views: 62752
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sharon.corbet
There's a second picture of the same building showing what looks like a red-brick terrace in front.
Swordscookie
When I saw this first I thought "Ducketts Grove" but the terrace in Sharons would eliminate that! Fairly institutional and bleak without any shrubbery or landscaping!
Niall McAuley
Would this be Palladian?
O Mac
It's the Union Theological College Belfast Streetview inc. red Transit van. Wiki
Niall McAuley
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/91549360@N03] Well done! From the DIA: Name: LANYON, CHARLES (SIR) Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, COLLEGE PARK, PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE Date: 1852-53 Nature: New building in Palladian style. Engaged Roman Doric columns. Scrabo freestone. Foundations being prepared April 1852; opened 1855. Expected cost about £6,000. Builder: John Corry. (Used as Parliament House for 3 years from 1921.)
O Mac
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley Lanyon.... same architect designed Crumlin Road Courthouse and Gaol/Jail
Niall McAuley
The houses in the terrace in [https://www.flickr.com/photos/129555378@N07]'s other image are University Square, dating from the same time, 1848-53 per the DIA
Niall McAuley
The DIA also lists a South wing in 1868, and a North in 1878, but I don't think they would be visible even if present here.
Niall McAuley
Hmm, could be wrong. This clearer streetview from April 2010 is from a similar spot as the stereo pair, and I can see the roof on the right, which is the roof of the South wing, I think. Suggests this image is from before 1869.
Niall McAuley
The OSNI site at maps.ehsni.gov.uk/SixInchSeries/ allows you to see (but not link to) historical maps, and the Six Inch 3rd Edition County Series shows this set up - one side of University Square is up, the College is up (but no wings) and the road which now runs across in front of the College gates, College Park East, is not there yet.
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
Who has pinched the chimneys ?
Niall McAuley
https://www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia I imagine they were removed during the addition of the North and South wings...
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley] No, not then! North wing - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000338157 South wing - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000335925 And they were still there in 1991 for the Lawrence photographic project - catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000342764 :-)
O Mac
I know we're loath to trust consecutive images for dating purposes but it might be of interest to note that STP_0433 through to STP_0445 were all taken in Belfast and are all of buildings designed by Charles Lanyon built before 1860-----as if the photographs had been commissioned? If they were taken at the same time then a clue to a date might be in STP_0443 which is of the former Northern Bank, Victoria Street. On a hoarding there is a Theatre Royal poster with a show date for Sept 10th 1861. Re: above picture. The lack of a finished entrance, gates and railings along with the young planting would suggest that the photograph was taken not too long after the buildings construction.
Niall McAuley
Sept 1861 is consistent - must be after 1860 (all stps) and before 1869 (South wing).
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/91549360@N03]'s commission idea is very plausible ... "... From the 1860s onwards Lanyon was prominent in the municipal and public life of Belfast and Co. Antrim. He was a member of Belfast town council and Mayor in 1862. ... " From - www.dia.ie/architects/view/3094/LANYON-charles%28sir%29 Judging by this photo and the courthouse of a few days ago, Lanyon built some very fine buildings.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Brilliant. Compelling arguments there indeed. Have tried to summarise in the description and have updated the map and tags. (Including a tag to reflect that - a fact new to me - the building housed the Parliament of Northern Ireland in the formative years of the legislature....)
le cabri
Caught my eye even in thumbnail
S H Ξ H A N
lovely image
K.Marinović - Artist
Congrats!
O Mac
www.flickr.com/photos/proni/13733352613/in/album-72157642...