Six samples Neoclassical architecture in Ireland

1 City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin Built 1769-1779 to the designs of 28-year-old Thomas Cooley

1 City Hall, Dame Street, DublinBuilt 1769-1779 to the designs of 28-year-old Thomas Cooley. Superbly grand, from its Corinthian columned portico to the immense central rotunda topped by a coffered dome.

2 The Casino at Marino,Clontarf, Dublin Small but perfectly formed. The Casino was designed by English architect Sir William Chambers.

3 Courthouse, Dundalk, Co LouthAustere, as suits its function. The courthouse was designed 1813-1819 by Edward Parke and John Bowden in severest Greek Revival style. The Portland stone portico of Doric columns, behind which are two further columnar screens, gives the structure a gravitas rarely seen in this country.

4 Castle Coole, Co FermanaghCastle Coole was built between 1789-1798. The original architect was Irish, Richard Johnston, and he had completed work on the basement when Lord Belmore decided to employ the more fashionable Englishman James Wyatt. Superb but chilly.

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5 The Mussenden Temple, Co DerryBuilt in 1785 by the eccentric Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry. The circular building is modelled on the Temple of Vesta in Rome and originally served as a library.

6 Stormont, BelfastParliament Building was designed by Sir Arnold Thornley and built 1927-32, demonstrating neoclassicism's abiding appeal. The structure is sited at the end of a long avenue and centred on a massive pedimented portico above raised basement.

Makes up in scale what it lacks in charm.