James Hoban was born in 1758 in Ireland where he trained as an architect. This was Dublin's golden age architecturally when the Irish capital city was being transformed from a medieval to a neo classical one. The famous Georgian Squares were laid out, streets were widened and magnificent public buildings were erected. The landed gentry vied to build ever-grander town houses in which to dwell for the Dublin “season”. One of the grandest town houses built at this time was for James Fitzgerald, later Duke of Leinster. The design of this mansion (now called Leinster House and home to the Irish Parliament) was heavily influenced by the drawings of the great Italian, Palladio, architect to the Doges of Venice and the Medici of Florence. Many such great houses were built in Ireland at this time, have survived and may be visited today. The young Hoban's architectural education was nurtured by the architectural heritage of his native Ireland, which heritage in turn was being enriched by influences from the European main –land. So when he emigrated to the newly established United States of America in the early 1780s he brought with him a rich and sophisticated architectural vision. While he was equipped to succeed in his profession, great success for Hoban (as for most emigrants) took time... First he began architectural practice in Philadelphia and may even have opened a tavern there. Next he went to South Carolina where he designed the Statehouse at Columbia and other public buildings both there and in Charleston. He came to the attention of George Washington and they had many discussions as to the design and symbolism of the proposed presidential residence. Washington not only admired Hoban's architectural vision but also his practical skills, which produced elegant interior finishes and a superior style of residence. An architectural competition was organized by Thomas Jefferson to find the right design for the new presidential mansion  (Jefferson also entered a design of his own). Hoban's design, heavily influenced by Leinster House in Dublin (pictured on the right), won. Hoban was now to build one of the world's most famous buildings, known today as The White House. At his death in 1831 he was recognized as someone who had made an enormous contribution to Washington, not just architecturally but in many other areas of the life of his adopted city. We seek to honor this little known Irishman by naming our restaurant & bar after him. We have endeavored to bring to Washington a flavor of today's Ireland with its still strong European influences. If our efforts add in any small measure to the joy and pleasure of life in this great city, then we will have been true to the spirit of James Hoban. Welcome, Patrick & Regina Whelan |
