In the footsteps of St Finbarre (Part 130)- Networks of Ideas

Home

Sections

History

Written by Kieran McCarthy

Thursday, 21 August 2008

Article Index
In the footsteps of St Finbarre (Part 130)- Networks of Ideas
Page 2

Page 2 of 2

Harry was also a regular contributor to the Journal of the Institute of Engineers. In one of his most celebrated academic books, How to Make Good Concrete (1939) Harry noted it was easier to buy ready-mixed concrete – if the job was within reach of a ready mixed concrete factory. However, most engineers, contractors, builders and manufacturers cannot rely on these facilities. They have to decide which are the best of available aggregates, which may be used or must not be used, and, often, how to make the best possible use of aggregates that are known to be far from good but must be used. As concrete leaves the mixer, it should have its ingredients thoroughly and intimately mixed. As it is transported from the mixer to its final position, it should not segregate into its separate constituents, producing a mass of stone or gravel with little mortar in one part and mass of wet mortar with little coarse material in another.

Harry Walsh passed on his enthusiasm for his work to many of his students including his son Malachy who set up his own engineering company in time (Malachy Walsh & Partners). Professor Walsh also influenced John O’Donovan. John qualified in the early 1950s and worked as a demonstrator in college under Professor Walsh for a year after qualifying. It was Professor Walsh who encouraged John to go for the job of Junior Civil engineer in Inniscarra Dam. He got it and was there for three years, living during the week in Innisluinge House with other civil engineers. John became the site laboratory engineer.

Influenced by Harry Walsh’s advice, John built up the scientific analysis needed for the concrete mix necessary for the various blocks. All of John’s meticulous research was published by the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland in 1957 and survives to us in 2008. The rounded sandstone gravel pit at John A. Woods was selected for aggregates. The site was already equipped with a modern washing and screening plant but required a number of changes to produce the required gradings of the aggregates to produce high quality concrete. The development of an adequate mixing and placing technique for concrete at the early stages was greatly facilitated by John A. Woods.

The preliminary experimental grading and mixes were prepared in the Civil Engineering laboratory at University College Cork, and the results obtained from these were used successfully at the site laboratory at Inniscarra. In all eighty trial mixes were made at laboratories. The final arrangement adopted was to produce four sizes. John also arranged the pours and mixes. All concrete was kept damp until the subsequent pour was placed. The methods adopted by John, of which there is a lot more detail than what I present here, were extensive and impressive.

After Inniscarra Dam, John went to work in O’Connell/ Harley, Consultant Engineers on the South Mall. They were designing churches and buildings across the country. He worked with Cyril Roche on the concrete design of Youghal Bridge. In 1961, John started his own practice, John O’Donovan and Associates (still in operation under his sons). His firm did the concrete design for some of the 1960s buildings you see on the South Mall. In the 1970s, John was involved in the concrete design work of such buildings such as the IDA buildings, Douglas Community School, The Convent of Mercy, the VEC School of Art, Cork Examiner Offices (Academy Street, recently demolished), Grange Church, Irish Crown, Shield Insurance, Verolme Cork Dockyard, Tralee Fruit Company, Marathon Petroleum, Punch and Company and Topps.

John also worked with architect Boyd Barrett on several churches, examples include Bishopstown’s Descent of the Holy Ghost (with Jim Barry) and St. Patrick’s Church on the Rochestown Road. With the Department of Education, he completed a lot of concrete design for schools across the country. In the 1980s, John was involved in the concrete design of shopping centres such as Douglas and Wilton. John was one of the founders of Cork Civic Trust and was chairman for many years. John was very much part of the making of late twentieth century Cork.

To be continued…

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form toggle

<< Prev - Next

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Custom Search

Most Popular - Features

Random Features Articles