An Introduction to Ulster Architecture was published fifty years ago as the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society’s contribution to the 1975 European Architectural Heritage Year. The Society was then in its eighth year and unique in having ‘architectural heritage’ in its title. Resources were limited and publication was only possible after a grant from The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Although Hugh Dixon generously claims he only arranged the words and it was the work of many people, his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the architecture of Ulster shine through both editions of this groundbreaking book.
The book aimed to give general readers an overview of Ulster’s rich built heritage. Substantial sales demonstrated its success, and its popularity was boosted when a revised edition appeared in 2008. This version benefitted from input from Terence Reeves-Smyth and Karen Latimer, and was illustrated with colour pictures by Tony Merrick, Gail Pollock and others.
In his lecture the author will recount how the book came about and will recall the concern back in 1975 that a hardback with dust cover might be too expensive if priced at £2!
Copies of the 2008 revised edition of An Introduction to Ulster Architecture will be on sale on the evening at the special rate of £12.50 or two copies for £20.
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