the leader interview david leahy, architect

LIMERICK LEADER Saturday 6 February 2010 29

Behindthedesignliesthebuilderofdreams

The Leader Interview David Leahy, architect

It’saseasytodoitniceastodoitwrong,saysarchitectDavidLeahyofbuildingahouse.Leahy’sprofessionalreputationissoaring,buthisowngreatestachievement,hesays, isthathischildrenlovethehomehehasdesignedforthefamily

PetulaMartyn

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AN inscription carved instone over the entrance to ahouse situated in Cahercon-lish reads: ‘Noble houseproud and true keep safethe little ones here with

you’. Welcome to Elysium, the home ofrenowned Limerick architect David Leahy.

In Greek mythology only warriorsfavoured by the gods entered Elysium, aland of perfect happiness at the end of theearth.

The house in the townland of Inch StLaurence celebrates modern architecturaldesign, but more importantly, it is homefor Leahy, his wife Jayne, and their threechildren, Clara, Christopher and Robyn.

Elysium was the domain of the elite, butit is David Leahy’s philosophy that every-body should enjoy a dream home, theirown piece of Elysian paradise, more spe-cial than they could ever have imagined.

Designing stunning homes tailoredexclusively for each client, regardless oftheir budget, is Leahy’s speciality, and thisis the service he provides in his nativeLimerick.

Floor to ceiling windows in his office inRiverpoint offer views of the urban beautyof the city, and in contrast, the interior isdecorated with an eclectic mix of paintingsand historical artefacts, collected by thearchitect down through the years.

The tranquil setting is a work place, amuseum and a source of inspiration forLeahy and his clients.

Influences of the old and new can beseen in the architectural plans and 3Dmodels of live projects that cover a largetable as David talks about his childhood inBallyclough, his education at GlenstalAbbey and his decision to pursue a careerin architecture.

The son of Dr John Leahy, a formerheart specialist at St John’s and Barring-tons Hospitals, and the late Dr Mary Far-rell, dermatologist, David enjoyed aprivileged upbringing.

The ruins of fine houses and castles inCounty Limerick, including Dromore andCurraghchase, were the playgrounds of hisyouth and would influence his work laterin life.

He went to boarding school at Coláistena Rinne in Waterford, aged ten, afterattending Roxborough National School inBallysheedy. His mother was keen hewould immerse himself in the Irish lan-guage before he returned to County Lim-erick to attend Glenstal Abbey.

The friendships he formed at the board-ing school in his early years have lastedthe test of time, and he is still in contactwith many of his former classmates.

“In Glenstal we had small classes so youreally were with your buddies and it waslike we were family.”

The intricately decorated chalices thatare on display in his office are reminiscentof his school days in the Benedictineabbey.

Leahy left Glenstal to further his edu-cation at the University of Humberside inYorkshire where he was surrounded byhistoric houses, stately homes and formi-dable castles in Northern England.

“Places like Chatsworth and CastleHoward. I loved the landscape and the waythe architects worked with the landscape,and the great vistas that they used.”

After graduating, he worked at a pres-tigious architectural firm in PortlandPlace, London, for three years. His homeat the time was a basement flat where he

lived with his wife and their eldest daugh-ter Clara.

“I used to always promise Clara that Iwould design her a house one day withgreat big windows and light coming in.”

The family returned to Limerick in 1997and lived in Huntsfield, Dooradoyle,where Leahy set up his own practice in anextension at the side of the house.

He soon gained a reputation for excel-lence in the design of one-off houses.

At the height of the Celtic Tiger, heembarked on the long and often arduousprocess of designing and building his ownhome after falling in love with a site inCaherconlish.

“It was some challenge,” he admits, andhence he chose the name Elysium; aneternal reward after a brave battle. Theexperience was worthwhile because hefully appreciates the journey that hisclients take in aspiring to achieve theirperfect homes.

“I know exactly where they are comingfrom. Building a house is the most fan-tastic thing if you want it to be. I alwayssay to clients that it’s a process and some-times there are delays. If you approach it

with the right attitude then you’re happyrather than letting yourself get upsetbecause a tradesman did not turn up.”

The relationship with the client is inte-gral to architectural house designbecause a house is tailored to suit theclient’s specific requirements. The rela-tionship could last up to two years.

“You get a lot more job satisfactiondealing with a person who is much moreappreciative, or a family, and seeing howpeople enjoy living in the home. I waslucky enough to have grown up in anarchitecturally-designed house. I realisethe impact that can have on a young per-son’s upbringing. It is as easy to do it nice,as it is to do it wrong.

“If you are building a house in the coun-tryside the biggest mistake is to pick ahouse out of a magazine and plonk it inthe countryside. It has no relevance towhere the sun gets up in the morning orwhere it sets at night. The relationship ofthe rooms may not be how you as a fam-ily want to live.”

Leahy designs around the pragmaticrequirement of clients, and as the draw-ings progress, they get a feel for the whole

building, which will be unique to them.There are similarities between some of

his house designs in the same way thatthere are similarities between paintingsby the same artist, but the scenes are com-pletely different.

“The essence of the house design istotally different for each client,” he says.

His reputation in the field of exclusiveone-off house design has resulted inenquires from as far afield as the UnitedStates and the Middle East, thanks in partto a recent feature in an influential designmagazine called The White Book, which ispublished just twice a year.

Leahy offers exclusivity but his serviceis not exclusive to the wealthy. He hasdesigned all manner of homes, and exten-sions, from the moderate in size to thevery large, and the recession has not ledto a decline in demand for his work.

“Not everyone was investing in sharesor involved in that commercial propertyend and buying houses to rent,” he said.“A lot of people were quite sensible withtheir money. And what I’m finding now,the people who are coming in, are build-ing because they are getting good valuefor money, and they are. People are pre-pared to do a proper job and not be waste-ful with their money.”

He is conscious of and careful witheveryone’s budget; even budgets for highend houses. “Nobody gives you that kindof open pallet of materials to just spend itlike J Lo. That doesn’t happen. There’salways a budget. There’s always a bottomline there.”

He works with local authorities acrossIreland but finds Limerick County Coun-cil the most sensible to work with. “I justfind they have good understanding, andare very open to listening to your propos-als and working with you.”

Leahy casts a keen eye over the archi-tecture of Limerick city from his office atRiverpoint. He stopped to consider hisfavourite examples of modern design,before choosing the Savoy Hotel andAidan Brooks’ office development on therevamped Henry Street.

“I love Riverpoint,” he said. “I think it isa great building. I’m not saying thatbecause I am here, I would say that any-way. I think it is a shame that during theboom we didn’t get a few more Riverpointsalong the river. I think we missed out onthe buildings we could have had.”

It is also important to the designer thatLimerick respects its Georgian heritagewhile being open to modern interpreta-tions. Everything should be judged on itsown merit.

“I think there is a lot that modern archi-tecture has to offer and we should avail ofthat. We should be respectful of the pastbut also take into account that withoutfuture buildings we will have no past oftoday.”

A house is a family home and Leahy isa family man. In his free time, he enjoysnothing more than to spend time with hiswife Jayne and their children.

His daughter Clara, 16, shares his lovesof music and live performance, and his 11-year-old son Christopher, “a great charac-ter,” is a talented pianist.

“My youngest girl, Robyn, has a fero-cious appetite for art and she draws con-stantly. She does everything with greatvigour and there is great methodology inwhat she does.

“I do look at her and I think, ‘My God,she definitely has that artistic flair’.”

The children love the house their fatherdesigned with them in mind, which stands‘proud and true’, nestled in the CountyLimerick countryside.

“I love my house and my kids love it.They tell me they love the house – whichto me is the biggest achievement.”

SEE ALSO PAGE 4, LEADER 2

seated next to me and, as happens in suchcases, one word borrowed another and wefound ourselves in the bar having a quietdrink. It was late and the dining car wasout of bounds. I felt somewhat peckishand inevitably we discussed meals andmeal-times.

“I’m not worried,” my friend said, “forwhen the train gets in I will pop a few

spare ribs into the pot and have a goodtightener.”

“Not roast?” I said.“No,” he said. “Boiled.”As a result of his disclosure, I decided

to do likewise at the first given opportu-nity.

A week later I found myself workinglate again. The fire hummed and hawedand slipped its flames, like greyhounds,up the sooty course of the chimney. Mythoughts turned to hard-boiled eggs, sar-dines and cold meat, but then I remem-bered that I had, the day before, haphaz-ardly invested in a few pounds of spareribs. I located them and laid them out in asaucepan. I added the requisite amount ofwater and placed the saucepan on the fire.There was silence for a while, and thencame the faintest of crooning sounds asthe water neared the boil. At boiling pointthe music began. The ribs chuckled anddanced and the water bubbled and gur-gled. I had, near at hand, a small turnipabout the size of a grapefruit. I could havehad a larger and better turned-out turnipbut small compact turnips have a fatalattraction, as you will agree. I peeled itand sliced it and added the yellow discs to

the bubbling water.Now, I said to myself, we should soon

have a merry tune, and no sooner had I soexpressed myself than the turnip joinedwith the water and the bones in a song ofrare eloquence and surpassing richness.They made a merry trio, and I listenedwith great anticipation. The refrain con-tinued and, believe me, it was a variedpiece, although completely unrehearsed.The turnips were soothing like bass fid-dles and the water plopped and plungedlike a piano. The bones were the drumsand how beautifully muted they were.Then came the climax, not crashing nordeafening but mellow and consistent. Ilifted the cover from the saucepan andcomplimented myself that my timing hadbeen so nicely judged.

I had better point out at this juncturethat knives and plates were superfluousfor such a repast. A fork is the only imple-ment required, since all is one-way trafficfrom saucepan to mouth. The first forkfulof turnip was a revelation, but the firstspare rib was the soul of delight. Thespare rib should be taken in both hands,like a water melon or a mouth-organ, andthen accurately conveyed to the mouth.

No further instructions are necessary.The demands of the stomach call the tunethereafter. Suffice it to say here that I hada pleasing and satisfying repast at a totalcost of two shillings and sixpence. Therefollowed an excellent pint of stout and Imust say that my heart went out tosausage-eaters everywhere. I turned tomy writing and it is truly fair to add thatthe quality of same was much improvedand, late though my bed-going was, Iawoke feeling refreshed and happy in themorning.

To the pig first the praise is due, and,secondly, to turnips everywhere, be theylarge or small.

I have spoken only of the boiled sparerib. Its kinsman, the roast rib, is no lessan entity, greasier, perhaps, but in no waydetrimental to the digestive tract.

There is a lot to be said for hard-boiledeggs, but who will blame me if mythoughts sometimes turn to spare ribsand turnips.

The late, great John B. Keane was a Limer-ick Leader columnist for over 30 years.This column first appeared in our editionof February 13, 1965.

OF late, when working farout into the night, I havebeen forced to devise newforms of nourishment;new dishes to bolster andsustain the flagging mind

and body.It is not my intention to belittle hard-

boiled eggs which have been my wont, norto deny sardines, but one grows tired ofthe same thing night after night. I havefried the odd sausage and, now and then,when it was available, I have left my markon yesterday’s joint, but, as I say, there isthe need for change because the stomachis like a playgoer. If you offer the same billof fare for too long he is liable to kick upand misbehave and a stomach which isout of order has a depressing effect on thebrain as any thoughtful man will tell you.

Now, when I work I do not like to be dis-turbed and for that reason the elaboratedish is never to be mine at so late an hour.For company I have calling cats and theodd dog who fancies himself as a yodeller.I like rain which drums companionablyagainst the windows, and I have nothingagainst noisy winds for although they areboisterous and never aggressive.

As I have said, my sustenance consistschiefly of hard-boiled eggs and porter, andagain I would like to make it clear thatthey have acquitted themselves well overa long, long period. Recently, however, Imade an interesting discovery, but thecredit is not all mine for, to tell the truth,it was a chance acquaintance on a trainwho put we wise. He happened to be

Thesoothingmelodyofboiledspareribs

John B. Keane

@ ON THE WEB For your local online news servicewww.limerickleader.ie

We should respect the past, but without future buildings there will be no ‘past of today’, says David Leahy PICTURE: ADRIAN BUTLER

SOMETHING new in Limer-ick’s all-out housing drivereceived the approval ofmembers of the Corporationat their usual meeting in theTown Hall on Monday night.

A scheme of 19 houses will be built onthe site of the existing Kelly’s Range, Mul-grave Street, at the estimated cost of£25,000. The proposal was moved byCouncillor Frank Leddin and was sec-onded by Councillor T. Lawlor and waspassed unanimously.

Details of the scheme were outlined bythe City Architect, Mr. PlunkedO’Callaghan in a report as follows:

“Kelly’s Range comprises a terrace oftwenty six small housing fronting on toBlackboy Road. The houses, many ofwhich are now derelict, but some ofwhich are still occupied, are one-storey,two apartment dwellings, and sub-stan-dard in structure, accommodation, lightstandards and services. The range occu-pies a site 45 ft. deep, has a frontage of 565ft. on the Blackboy Road and is boundedon the east by Mr. St. Laurence’s Ceme-tery, on the south by the ground of theLimerick District Mental Hospital and onthe west by two-storey, red-brick housesof reasonable standard and condition.

Kelly’s Range was included in theOrder prepared for Garryowen N. 2C.P.O., 1957, and all houses except twowere contained in the first part of thatOrder (Clearance Area).

The proposal for the redevelopment ofKelly’s Range for housing purposes asshown on Drawing Uimn. 60/1 envisagesthe demolition of the existing houses andthe erection of seventeen two-apartmentbungalows and two four-apartmenthouses. It will be remembered that in theGreenhill/Tankfield Housing Scheme noprovision was made for the smaller typedwelling. This proposal would now bringthe whole scheme more in line with theidea of providing a balanced type ofaccommodation.

The area of the site, including 20 ft ofroadway, is .785 acres, the density ofdwellings per acre would be 24.2 and inrooms per acre would be 55. This latterfigure corresponds generally with thedensities provided in nearly all recentCorporation housing schemes. The two-apartment and four-apartment dwellingsare identical with those already approvedand in course of erection in St. John’sHousing Scheme, Garryowen.

The scheme has been referred to theChief Medical Officer, Dr. R. Hayes, andhe has raised no objection to the form andcontent of the proposal.

It is estimated that the cost of thescheme will be £25,285.

Cllr. Leddin stated that he would like tocompliment the Manager and his staff onthe preparation of such an excellentscheme and added that they should con-sider also such schemes for DominickStreet and Carey Street (Road) districts.

New houses for Mulgrave StreetFrom the Limerick LeaderWednesday, January 15, 1964

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