GMIT EXAMINATIONS 2012/2013

Continuous Assessment
Programme: Design and Technology Education
Year: 2nd Year
Module: Architectural Design
CA Weighting: (25% out of 100%)
Submission Date: 18th Jan
Internal Examiner(s): Thomas Sheppard
External Examiner(s): Dr Lloyd Scott
Dr Tony Hall

Student Name: Pdraig Moore

Student Number: G00290727

Architectural Design 2013

Glin Bridewell,
Glin,
Co. Limerick.

Architectural Design 2013

History of Glin Bridewell

The modern term Glin refers to both a small town and a territory comprising its
hinterland. Glin is a contraction of the older name Gleann Corbraighe and the anglicised
Glencorbry. By 1650 the contraction Glin was already in use. The village of Glin is sited in
West Limerick overlooking the lordly Shannon Estuary.
It is probably most famous for its magnificent castle owned by the Norman Knights of
Glin. The event from which the entire history of the Knights of Glin originates is the Norman
invasion of Ireland. It arose from the time of Diarmait Mac Murrough who was unable to find
allies in Ireland to help him turn to the great Norman Ruler Henry II. Arising from this
Maurice Fitzgerald landed in Wexford 1169, a direct ancestor of the last Knight of Glin.
For one seven hundred years they have been part of the history of Glin and West
Limerick. This influence included the building of Glin castle, the founding of the market
town of Glin, the development of roads, a new workhouse which was erected by the 26th
Knight of Glin and in 1895 this building became an in industrial school. In 1814 John
Fraunceis Fitzgerald instigated the building of a lesser known new Bridewell next to
Hallinans Hotel beside the original workhouse.
The site was granted by the knight for the terms of 31 years at a yearly rent of five
shillings. By 1816 the building had been complete. The Bridewell was to be a holding centre
for suspects awaiting trial. The origin of the original building was in a period of agrarian
violence in which the authorities felt that the building of the Bridewells would be a holding
centre for suspects awaiting trial and also a symbol of the authorities power. In 1814 Sir
Robert Peel established a Peace Preservation force and they got nicknamed Peelers this
force was absorbed by the Irish Constabulary.
Unfortunately the building fell into disrepair and a report stated in 1823 it was a
wholly destitute of every accommodation owned by law. By 1827 the Bridewell had
become so run down that at the Spring Assizes a presentment of 950 was made to rebuild
the Bridewell and to finish some of the other bridewells around the county (Newcastle west,
Kilfinane and Croom). By March 28th 1828 the building was at roof stage and the new roof
was put up within a week.
In the 19th punishment for crimes were harsh to say the least. Prison sentences and
transportation were given as punishment for crimes which today would be looked at as minor.
One such punishment was placing the hands and head of the fellon in stocks to allow the
victims or in fact anyone with a grievance to throw missiles. In 1822 the knight of Glin was
presented with 3 to provide stocks for the Glin Bridewell.

Architectural Design 2013

When the trials were being held in Glin Bridewell a hot iron was always kept to inflict
punishment if needed. In August 1806, the Limerick Gazette newspaper reported that
Michael Driscoll was charged with the murder of John McElligott at the fair of glin was
convicted of manslaughter. He was sentenced to be burnt on the hand, to be imprisoned for
twelve months and to give security for future behaviour.
Manslaughter convictions for fights and pub brawls seemed to be treated relatively
casually once the police or military were not involved. Other petty crimes such as theft could
be treated more strictly as evidenced in 1845. Elizabeth Langan was sentenced to seven years
transportation for robbery of money in Glin. This was effectively a life sentence as convicts
rarely made the journey home once the journey was completed.

Layout of the building

The Bridewell itself contained the courtroom where the trials took place, the centre part of the
building is where this was located. The holding cells for the felons were located at the back of
the building located on the left and right respectively. This is why the down stairs windows at
the back of the building have cell bars in the model. The back yard is divided in two as it was
used as an exercise yard for the inmates. One side was for the men and the other side was for
the women. Granted the exercise yard is quiet small, however inmates were only ever held at
the Bridewell on a temporary basis two to three days at the most. There was also an upstairs
living area for the keeper of the Bridewell.

Construction of the Model

To begin this project I visited the Bridewell and measured the whole building using a laser
measure. Once I had compiled all the relevant measurements I went home to work out a
scale. The overall dimensions of the building was 14900(L)8500(H)5200(W) mm. I used a
scale of 1:33 to bring down the model to what I though was a suitable size (keeping in mind I
had to use a base board of approx. 600600mm). I proceeded to draft up a detailed drawing of
each and every measurement of the building in orthographic projection form. These drawings
were instrumental in working out the finer details such as window size angles of the roof and
so on.
Once I had the drawings of the model I investigated the different types of materials which
could be used to construct it. I thought of using chip board as it would be readily available
from the college however I decided against it as I thought due the size of the model it would
be hard to construct it accurately using chip board. My second idea was to use aero board but
it was not long before I figured out that it is near impossible to get a clean cut with it. I then
went in to a stationary shop in limerick city where I was told a 5mm foam board was very
popular for model making. It was durable but at the same time easy to cut and relatively
cheap so it was perfect for what I wanted it for.

Architectural Design 2013

I had the drawings and I had the materials so I began to make the model. Using a scalpel and
a steel ruler I began t cut out the profile of the four walls.

I then went onto draw and all the details onto the walls, doors, windows and brick detail and
proceeded to cut them out. To work out the size of the bricks needed I counted how many
layers of bricks there was across and up and etched them into the foam with a scalpel which
gave a desirable result.

Once all the doors and windows were cut out and all the brick work was etched in I painted
the four walls as I thought it would be easier paint now rather than when the model was all
glued up. For the window frames I used match sticks, painted them white and cut a groove in
the back of the windows to fit them into and used an acetate sheet for the glass effect.

Architectural Design 2013

As for the guarded windows at the back I cut up an old hamster cage and used the small steel
bars to give the appearance of a barred window
For the roofs I used a thick card board and used the same technique of etching the slate
pattern into the cardboard with a scalpel. The two smaller roofs were cut out with ease as
there angle was simply transferred from the drawing. However the crntre roof was a lot
trickier. The front section of the roof was splayed back at a 45 angle. The drawings came in
very handy here as once I drew an auxiliary view it was possible to get the true sides of the
triangle.
Once all the walls and roofs were painted it was time to start gluing up. To do this accurately
I first had to mark out the positioning of all the walls on the base board to centre the model
properly. I used blocks of chipboard on the inside to add structural strength to the walls and
glued it all together using mitre bond glue.

Now that the model was standing it was time to start the landscaping. For this I used a poly
filler covered in little pebbles to give a gravel effect.

Architectural Design 2013

Then I needed to construct the 3 metre high wall surrounding the building. I sourced some
80mm polystyrene foam and cut them into 20mm strips as the wall was 660mm thick. And
once again I etched the brick work into the foam to give the brick effect.

And this is the finished product!