Irish Architecture: 20th Century gems
Irish Architecture: 20th Century gems
Tuesday 24 November 2026 at 6:45pm – 8pm
doors open at 6pm for a 6:45 start
BDP Clerkenwell, 16 Brewhouse Yard, London EC1V 4LJ
Architecture historian Emma Gilleece will take us on a tour of modern Irish architecture. We'll travel across Ireland’s early- to mid-twentieth‑century modernist landmarks – buildings that broke from tradition and imagined a different future. From civic centres and factories to churches, housing and schools, these structures tell a story of ambition, progress and new ways of living.
Emma will showcase Ireland looking outward, embracing international modernism while forging its own architectural voice. Her new book This Modern Love - Architectural Gems of 20th Century Ireland is published by New Island Books and released in the UK this December.
This Modern Love is clear‑eyed, visually driven and unapologetic. The book invites you to rediscover a built heritage that is still shaping Irish life today. It's based on the popular RTÉ Culture’s 100 Buildings series.
Emma Gilleece is an architectural historian, specialising in early to mid-twentieth-century Ireland, which she writes about for RTÉ Culture. She grew up in the suburbs of Limerick City and today lives in north inner city Dublin.
Laura Mark is Head of Casework at the C20 Society. She is an award-winning architecture critic, curator, editor and researcher. Laura worked in architectural practice before joining the editorial team of the Architects’ Journal.
The book will be available for purchase at the event.
Part of new C20’s globe trotting series looking at modern architecture and heritage protection around the world. We have already talked about Japan, while Poland is booked in October and Germany is scheduled for Spring.
C20 Society Member £11;
Non-Member £16;
Young C20 member + guest Free*;
Student + guest £5 **
Includes a glass of wine and contribution to our casework and campaigns.
*For student pricing please select from the dropdown option next to ‘membership number’ on the booking form below.
**For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider and is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: Cover of This Modern Love (New Island, 2026) and Busáras (1953) by Michael Scott. © De Burgh Galwey, Architectural Review.