Abraham Addison Hargrave (1755–1808), sometimes referred to as Abraham Hargrave the Elder[1][2] was an architect and building contractor who was active mainly in County Cork, Ireland, in the late 18th and early 19th century.[3] Born near Leeds, England, in 1755, Hargrave came to Cork between 1789 and 1791.[4] Among his first commissions was the rebuilding of St Patricks Bridge in Cork, which had been damaged by severe flooding in 1789.[5][4] Over the coming decades Hargrave was responsible for a number of merchant manor houses in the area (including Vernon Mount c. 1790, Lotabeg c. 1800, additions to Castle Hyde c. 1801, and works at Fota House).[6][3][7] He was also involved in the development of several barracks (for example Cork Military Barracks c.1800 and Fermoy Barracks c.1804) and other works (including Christ Church in Fermoy c.1804, and at Belvelly bridge).[6][8]

Reputedly a member of the Freemasons,[9] some later commentators suggest that Hargrave incorporated masonic symbolism into some works attributed to him[10] – although other commentators question this claim.[11] Hargrave died at the age of 53 at Camden Place, Cork, in March 1808.[4] A number of Hargave's descendants were also involved in architecture and construction, including his sons Abraham Addison Hargrave (died 1838) and John Hargrave (died 1833).[4] The former was responsible for Cork's Custom House (later the Cork Harbour Commissioners headquarters) which was completed in 1818.[12][13][14]

Notes and references

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  1. ^ "Christ Church Fermoy". blackwater.ie. Retrieved 15 December 2021. designed by Abraham Hargrave the Elder
  2. ^ Abraham Addison Hargrave the Elder (1755–1808) had a number of sons, the eldest of whom was also named Abraham Addison Hargrave (died 1838) and was also a Cork-based architect
  3. ^ a b Cahill D, FitzGerald D (2007). "Vernon Mount (Co Cork)". Irish Arts Review. 24 (3–4): 132. ISBN 9780853319719.
  4. ^ a b c d "Hargrave, Abraham Addison – Biography". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  5. ^ "St Patrick's Bridge". Cork Past and Present. Cork City Library. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Hargrave, Abraham Addison – Works". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Research Centre – 1801". A Chronological History of Art and Architecture in the 19th Century. Crawford Municipal Gallery. Retrieved 27 March 2017. In north county Cork, near Fermoy, John Hyde in 1801 rebuilt a large Georgian house known as Castle Hyde, to the design of the elder Abraham Hargrave
  8. ^ "Christ Church, Church of Ireland, Fermoy, Co. Cork (1804)". Archiseek. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Third Lodge of Ireland, Cork". MunsterFreemason.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Vernon Mount and Atwell Hayes". Sirhenrybrownehayes.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Vernon Mount House – Architecture". VernonMountPark.ie. Grange Frankfield Partnership. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Restoration of Cork's Custom House". Hearthstone.ie. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Campaign launched to keep Port of Cork building in public ownership". Irish Examiner. 17 February 2016.
  14. ^ "Abraham Hargrave (the younger) – Works". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 17 August 2016.