twostoreys

This two-storey building has dominated the River Street location since its construction in 1883. The Mackay Post Office and Telegraph Office was designed in the 1870s, but the first stage was not constructed until 1883 with the adjoining Telegraph Office constructed in 1884. The construction is only two years after the city’s oldest building: The Australian Joint Stock Bank at 63 Victoria Street, constructed in 1881. Thus, the construction of such prominent buildings, both designed by the Colonial Architect, F.D.G. Stanley, demonstrate the growth and importance of the Mackay region in the late 19th century. The government architect, F.D.G. Stanley, was responsible for the design and construction of Queensland post offices from 1872 – 1881, and George Connolly between 1881-1883 and 1885-1891. The place has a strong association with past and present residents of the Mackay region as the primary center for communication, by mail, telegraph, or telephone since 1874 when the site was a postmaster's residence and office. The new buildings were constructed in stages: the left (east) side of the tower is the original post office opening in 1883. The tower and the telegraph office were constructed in 1884. Originally the lower level was post and telegraph services, kitchen and servants while the upper level was the post and telegraph masters residences. The building meets this criterion as a substantial masonry building with remnant classical detailing typical of Government designed buildings of the period. It is a strong feature in the River Street streetscape and is significant as a landmark building in Mackay. Source: www.mackay.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/211347/...

Walkerston's Albion Hotel was located where what is now O'Shea's sits. Barbara McDonald was the licensee from 1872 to 1901, having transferred the license from her husband. Barbara had endured much at that point, having lost both sons in infancy, and then her husband shortly afterward. The Albion, with its large function hall, was the pride of the district; Nellie Mitchell (later Dame Nellie Melba) provided an evening's entertainment there in 1881. This was reported as her first public concert, where her appearance was by chance, as the expected singer had fallen sick and Nellie was the substitute. The Albion burned down in 1964. Source: www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/walkerston-...

O'SHEAS HOTEL, formerly Albion 1 Bold Street Walkerston. Located on Northern bank of Bakers Creek at the intersection of Bold and Dutton Streets. The Albion Hotel was built in 1872. Norman Hiram Smith owned the Albion Hotel from 1947-1958. (JB) The hotel was destroyed by fire on Wednesday, April 15, 1964. The eight people in the hotel, including three children, escaped only minutes before it became a blazing inferno (DM. 26/2/2000). The present O'Sheas Hotel-Motel was built on site in 1964 by former Pioneer Shire Chairman John Young. Source: www.mackayhistory.org/research/hotels/hotels_l_to_z.html#...

Streetview They're called "The Bungalows" on the OSI 25".

According to Wikipedia a bungalow, an Indian word, means: Built in the Bengali style "A bungalow is a small house or cottage that is either single-storey or has a second storey built into a sloping roof (usually with dormer windows) and may be surrounded by wide verandas ....and was popular with the Arts and Crafts movement."

According to the Newry Reporter of May 31st. 1897, the bungalows were just nearing completion. They were being built by the London and North-Western Company.

The NIAH calls them "single storey with attic" in its entries (1, 2, 3, 4)

NIAH www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/13831... says 1895, perhaps that was the start date. Built as holiday homes. They appear unoccupied, as yet. Must have been a new design for us at that time to merit a photo. However, nowadays the bungalow is the most common type to be seen in the Irish countryside, particularly since the "Tiger" days.. And I don't mean a Bengal tiger.