First Quarter

John Tuomey is an architect who has designed social and cultural spaces such as the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, the Glucksman Gallery in UCC, and the Victoria & Albert East Museum in London. This memoir is reflective and enriching, with inter-textual references to poetry, drama, and literature and written in limpid prose. It traces the pathways that led to his formation as an architect, reflecting on the many cultural and social influences on his life. Tuomey excels in capturing the social landscape of Dublin in the 1980s and pays particular attention to the many buildings and social hubs of the inner city. His expertise in his field is unsurpassed, and his thoughts on the challenges facing the encroaching erasure of city life in Dublin are essential reading for anyone with an interest in the future of building in the city.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: The Lilliput Press Ltd

In this captivating and introspective memoir, John Tuomey embarks on a journey through the landscapes and memories of his life, spanning a remarkable twenty-five years. Initially renowned for his transformative efforts in revitalizing Dublin's Temple Bar, which included the construction of the Irish Film Institute, the National Photographic Archive, and the Gallery of Photography, Tuomey's architectural career led him to conceive social and cultural spaces of immense significance. These include the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, the Glucksman Gallery at the University of Cork, and the Victoria & Albert East Museum in London. Interwoven with numerous intertextual references to poetry, drama, and literature, this memoir unfolds in a lucid and poetic prose, inherently literary in nature. Tuomey takes us back to his early days, born in Tralee and growing up in various counties across Ireland, from quaint small towns to picturesque countryside, from his formative years in Dundalk to his involvement in student activism at University College Dublin. He traces the pathways that shaped his journey into architecture, reflecting on the profound cultural and social influences that have shaped his life. With a keen eye for capturing the social landscape of Dublin in the vibrant 1980s, Tuomey pays particular attention to the many buildings and social hubs that define the city's inner core. His transient years of moving from Dublin to London, followed by work in cities like Nairobi and Milan, chronicle the international influences that have shaped his outlook. The central relationships in his life, including his meeting with his future wife, Sheila, a fellow student of architecture at UCD, and his pivotal employment by James Stirling in 1976, form the backbone of his personal and professional life. Tuomey's expertise in his field is unparalleled, with meticulous attention paid to the finer nuances of design and architecture. His insights into the challenges facing the encroaching erasure of city life in Dublin are particularly essential, offering a poignant reflection on the evolving urban landscape.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 131 x 200 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843518747