So many of our most beloved and important buildings, as well as major roads and even railway lines, were the work of one person: Sir Charles Lanyon, the man who designed a city.

Born in Eastbourne, Sussex, Charles Lanyon moved to Dublin in 1832 before relocating to Belfast in 1836. Here, having set up his own architectural practice, he began designing what would be an extraordinary catalogue of major buildings.

Starting with the beautiful Palm House in Botanic Gardens and then the imposing Crumlin Road Courthouse and Gaol, Lanyon went on to create one of his masterworks, Queen’s College (now Queen’s University Belfast’s Lanyon Building) before going on to design the Union Theological College and Belfast’s grand Custom House. Along the way this prodigious architect also designed country houses, warehouses and numerous churches.

Is duine amháin atá taobh thiar de chuid mhór de na foirgnimh is ansa linn agus is tábhachtaí dúinn, chomh maith leis na bóithre móra agus na hiarnróid fiú: Sir Charles Lanyon, an fear a dhear an chathair.

Rugadh Charles Lanyon in Eastbourne, Sussex, agus bhog sé go Baile Átha Cliath sa bhliain 1832 sular bhog sé go Béal Feirste in 1836. I ndiaidh dó a chleachtas ailtireachta a bhunú, is anseo a thosaigh sé ag dearadh catalóg iontach de mhórfhoirgnimh.

Ag toiseacht leis an Teach Pailme galánta i nGarraithe na Lus go dtí Teach Cúirte agus Príosún Bhóthar Chromghlinne, chuaigh Lanyon ar aghaidh le ceann dá sárshaothair a chruthú, ba é sin Coláiste na Banríona (Foirgneamh Lanyon ag Ollscoil na Banríona sa lá atá inniu ann). Lean sé ar aghaidh ansin le Coláiste Diagachta an Aontais agus Teach an Chustaim i mBéal Feirste a dhearadh. Dhear an t-ailtire éachtach seo tithe móra tuaithe, trádstórais agus a lán eaglaisí fosta.

In addition, Lanyon, who was also a surveyor and civil engineer, designed the world famous Antrim Coast Road, the Belfast–Ballymena and Belfast–Bangor railway lines, as well as the Queen’s and Ormeau bridges in Belfast.

Knighted in 1868, Lanyon found time for many civic duties and roles. In 1862 he was elected Lord Mayor of Belfast and from 1862–1886 served as Harbour Commissioner. He represented Belfast as a Conservative MP for two years and was also High Sheriff of Antrim.

Sir Charles Lanyon, who was described as having the ‘courtesy, amiable disposition and demeanour… of a polished gentleman’, died at home on 31 May 1889. Around 1930 his granddaughter placed a pew dedicated to his memory in Carnmoney Parish Church – a church which, naturally, had been designed by the great man himself.

Ina theannta sin, dhear Lanyon, a bhí ina shuirbhéir agus ina innealtóir sibhialta fosta, rudaí a raibh a bhfuil clú agus cáil orthu ar fud an domhain. Mar shampla, an t-iarnróid ar Bhóthar Chósta Aontroma, na hiarnróid idir Béal Feirste-An Baile Meánach agus Béal Feirste-Beannchar, chomh maith le Droichead na Banríona agus Droichead Ormeau i mBéal Feirste. 

Rinneadh ridire de in 1868, fuair Lanyon an t-am fá choinne go leor dualgas agus ról cathartha. Toghadh é ina Ardmhéara ar Bhéal Feirste sa bhliain 1862, agus ó 1862-1886 bhí sé ina Choimisinéir Cuain. Rinne sé ionadaíocht do Bhéal Feirste mar Theachta Parlaiminte sa Pháirtí Choiméadach ar feadh dhá bhliain, agus bhí sé ina Ard-Sirriam Chontae Aontroma fosta.

Dúradh go raibh ‘courtesy, amiable disposition and demeanour… of a polished gentleman’ ag Sir Charles Lanyon, fuair sé bás sa bhaile ar an 31 Bealtaine 1889. Thart fán bhliain 1930, chuir a ghariníon suíochan i gcuimhne air in Eaglais Pharóiste Charn Monaidh - eaglais a dhear an fear é féin, ar ndóigh.