Work, Rest or Play? How function is manifested in Irish Botanic Gardens

Eileen Kelly
Trinity College Dublin
Department of History of Art and Architecture
2001
BA

Subject: Architecture
Country: Ireland
Period: 19th Century

10,000 words

This dissertation is a study of the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, the aims behind its foundation and how these aims were reflected in its layout and buildings. All of this is studied in the context of three other Irish Botanic Gardens, the Trinity College Botanic Gardens, Belfast Botanic Gardens and the Botanic Gardens of the Royal Cork Institution. The purpose behind the foundation of each of the four gardens is determined. Then the layout of each of the gardens is examined in relation to their determined function and trends in landscape design of their period. The author examines whether the trends of public improvement that lay behind the establishment of many art galleries in the nineteenth century were also a reason for setting up botanic gardens. The issues of public access and Sunday openings are examined and with each of the Botanic Gardens the design of their glasshouses is analysed.

Irish Georgian Society

Education Theses Register

Work, Rest or Play? How function is manifested in Irish Botanic Gardens