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Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, the two founders of Grafton Architects. PA Images

Irish architects who 'make the world a better place' win top international prize

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara were awarded the UK’s highest honour for architecture.

THE UK’S HIGHEST honour for architecture has been awarded to two Irish architects. 

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara were presented with the Royal Gold Medal for architecture at a ceremony at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The pair co-founded Grafton Architects, which is currently working on projects including the new Marshall Building at the London School of Economics and the School of Economics at the University Toulouse 1 Capitole.

Grafton Architects have also been charged with designing the new Dublin City Library at Parnell Square.

President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Professor Alan Jones, said:

From designing houses in wind-swept rural landscapes to substantial inner-city university projects, from curating and contributing to world class exhibitions to teaching within some of the world’s leading schools of architecture, the scale and scope of Grafton Architects’ influence is extraordinary.

“Their extensive talent and generosity of spirit are an inspiration, not only to me and my fellow architects but to all those who have had the pleasure of engaging directly with them and their work,” he said. 

“Grafton Architects are impressive role models.”

He added that the pair demonstrate how architecture “can make the world a better place”.

The Royal Gold Medal, which is approved by the Queen, is given in recognition of a lifetime’s work.

Grafton Architects, which was set up in 1978, was previously awarded Riba’s International Prize for its work on a building at the Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia in Lima, Peru.

They also won the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland’s 2008 prize for world building of the year for their work at the Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan.

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    Mute Michael Barry
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    Dec 4th 2021, 6:03 PM

    Why would anyone attack another let alone 3 innocent children. I’m also thinking of the little 6 year old boy in the UK who was killed last year. What is wrong with people.

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    Mute Colleen
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    Dec 4th 2021, 6:56 PM

    @Michael Barry: just awful. That poor child, Arthur, in England. Heads needs to roll there.

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    Mute Ofratko
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    Dec 4th 2021, 7:23 PM

    @Michael Barry: World is full of monsters. Arthur’s case it very clear proof of it. What they did to that poor child. And now this in Germany. It is unimaginable.

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    Mute Neil Neart
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    Dec 5th 2021, 9:42 AM

    @Michael Barry: I always wonder if warning signs were missed and if such tragedies are increasing or decreasing.

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    Mute Adam Rekio
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    Dec 4th 2021, 5:58 PM

    Thats so sad

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    Mute Richard
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    Dec 4th 2021, 7:32 PM

    All this abuse of children… and yet you need to get a license to own a dog. Maybe people need to start proving they are capable of raising a child before allowed have one.

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    Mute DERRY1973
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    Dec 4th 2021, 7:38 PM

    @Richard: based on your assumption dogs don’t get ill treated so…

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    Mute Neil Neart
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    Dec 5th 2021, 9:43 AM

    @DERRY1973: there is no such assumption in Richard’s comment.

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    Mute Richard Ahern
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    Dec 4th 2021, 6:08 PM

    Sehr traurig. Liebe Grüße an alle, besonders die Kinder.
    So sad, blessings to all concerned, in particular the children.

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    Mute Mick Dunne
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    Dec 4th 2021, 7:50 PM

    Omg that’s shocking god love them may they

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