 Demolished in the late 1980’s, this building in Brooke Park at the top of the street was bombed in the mid 1970’s and never restored. At that time it housed the city’s central library. it was originally constructed as Gwyn’s Charitable Institution in 1839 for the education and upkeep of orphan boys. It became a museum in 1901 and from 1924 the city’s library. The land around it became a civic park in 1901 following a bequest from James Brooke who died in 1865. The park is currently being restored by the city council with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
 At the end of Queen Street a surprise. This unusual building is the Culturlan. Opened in 2009 and finished in board marked concrete it fits well into its surroundings yet stands out as a new cultural building in the city. Its architects were O'Donnell and Tuomey of Dublin. The building was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2011.
125. www.Marksoftime.comFurther into town, Queen Street and Clarendon Street are an area of mid nineteenth century houses in the Georgian style. The strong dominant pattern on Queen Street reinforces the view to the former Second Presbyterian Church at the end.  Nearby is Boating House Lane with two interesting buildings: the former boating house (1869) and the Tech (1908). The boat house was in very poor condition for many years and used as a garage until it was successfully converted into a riverside restaurant in the early 2000’s. The Tech is still being used for its original function and has recently acquired extensions which take the scale and striped nature of the historic building as their starting point.   Old Foyle College, also now part of the University of Ulster campus at Magee, is located further into town and closer to the river. Opened in 1814, it functioned as a school until the 1970’s. Though its lawn has been converted into a car park, it still has a strong architectural presence
 Magee College sits on the hillside above and looks out across the river valley. Built in 1865 it is in an asymmetric tudor gothic style. In 1909 it became affiliated with Trinity College Dublin and is now a campus of the University of Ulster
 Going into town on the Strand Road is the former Bryce and Weston shirt factory. This was converted into a supermarket with apartments above in 2001. The building was constructed in 1921 in a simplified classical style and continued in that use until the 1970’s. Sitting back from the road, it imparts a sense of grandeur to its lower surroundings
‘Homes for Heroes’ was a rallying cry at the end of the First Wold War and some effort was put into building new houses for former soldiers. The houses in Messines Park are an example of the type. Named after a battle in the war, these were built in 1925   Round the corner, on Buncrana Road, is St Patrick’s, Pennyburn. This was designed in 1907, but opened in 1934. It is built in red brick with cream coloured faience details. Well worth a visit to see the detailed column heads inside with interlocking Celtic decoration
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Marks of Time
Sketches of buildings in the North West of Ireland and further afield with a little information about their history. Categories
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June 2026
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