Larne town hall and painting of Charles McGarel

[Piltdown_man]

I am after information on the location of a portrait of Charles McGarel. In 1869 he paid for a town hall in Larne and a painting was commissioned and hung there of Mr McGarel (A link to the site with details on the man in below)

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/6914

My ggg granduncle Richard Waller was the painter of that picture but I have no idea where it went. I have looked up details on the hall and it has recently been refurbished but if anyone local to the area of Larne has any more information it would be very helpful.

[scotmum]

Hello pilt, long time no chat

A few suggestions of folks you could email and ask for help with your enquiry:

the friendly and helpful staff at:

Larne library  http://www.ni-libraries.net/libraries/larne-library/

Carnegie Library (now Larne Museum and Arts centre)   http://www.larnemuseumandartscentre.co.uk/#/contact/4550026991

and

Larne Borough Council  http://www.larne.gov.uk/frm_contact.asp?area=4&aname=Home&text=1

It was still in the hall in 1953 according to mention in :

http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/ledcom-chief-gets-lifetime-achievement-award-1-4379989

on the left hand side here was a very large gold-framed painting of Charles McGarel (who funded the construction of the building) and he watched me. I don’t know what he was thinking, but I was very much aware of his eyes being on me.”

[scotmum]

Just read this article:

http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/local/black-tie-event-to-herald-town-hall-relaunch-1-4140538

So, probably the best people to help answer your original question would be one of those involved in the steering group responsible for the re-launch......and I would imagine, therefore, you could start with contacting the council at the link in my first post, as they should have details of same.

or

The architects responsible for the refurbishment http://www.boydpartnership.co.uk/contact.php
(see http://www.boydpartnership.co.uk/publicrealm.php?id=larnetownhall)

[Piltdown_man]

I contacted the local FHS in March but never received a reply.  I also saw info on the group but thought it was more of a management group rather than anything that could help in trying to find it.

Thanks for what you tracked down though Mum I will have a go with the the various links you have provided...will let you know if anything turns up

[iluleah]

You may already have this info 1888

The Town Hall was built in 1869, at a cost of from £5,000 to £6,000, provided by the late Mr. Charles McGarel, of Magheramorne.
It is invested in trustees, for the use of the people for ever. The Town Commissioners
have free rooms in it, and there is a Hall capable of seating 450 persons, for entertainments,
no charge being made to charitable and church societies. A subscription of 5s. a year pays
for the right to participate in the advantages of the reading room ; 7s. 6d. for reading room
and library. A large room on the second floor contains the nucleus of a museum.
http://larne.irishgenealogy.net/larne1888_2.html

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/commercial/
http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/local/plaque-commemorates-benefactor-charles-mcgarel-1-1702214
http://www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/celebration-of-volunteering-marks-town-hall-re-opening-1-4331178
They are the descendants of Charles McGarel, a merchant who made a fortune from slave ownership. https://www.facebook.com/slavernijonline?filter=2

"... by the influence of his brother-in-law Charles McGarel, he entered the firm of Bosanquet ... group portrait, bronze statue, 1906, Langham Place, London ..."
http://www.oxforddnb.com/templates/article.jsp?articleid=33926&back=
http://london.wikia.com/wiki/James_Macnaghten_McGarel-Hogg,_1st_Baron_Magheramorne

Sorry not answered your original question.

[Piltdown_man]

I was aware of the cost and few details as I have a newspaper article that was written about the opening of the hall and unveiling of the painting.

I can't believe how hard it is to find these paintings and how he has disappeared into obscurity

[iluleah]

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/ulster-s-role-in-the-slave-trade-1-4853256
This may help a local historian wrote a mini-biography, maybe if you emailed Adam ( the reporter) he could give you more details/pass on a request to him

[glensman]

I live in Larne.  If you have not had any success in finding out what happened to the painting, I may be able to help.

[Piltdown_man]

I received an email this week from Larne Council...

"We have had several enquiries over the years in respect of the whereabouts of the painting, and again recently following our restoration of the McGarel Town Hall. However it could not be located.

As a result of the works in the Town Hall one of our long serving members of staff recalled that the painting had been in storage in Council premises and undertook to visit two retired employees to see if they could recall the whereabouts of the work. Both former employees recalled that the painting had been in a storage area of the Council facility and that a fire during the 1980s had completely destroyed the area including the painting."