John Gwynn, An Appreciation

Oct 14, 2013

Engineering is often described as the invisible profession, which is perhaps why a giant in its ranks such as John Gwynn who left a mark on engineering projects around the country and who made international contributions to European building codes, should be especially remembered. He died on May 23rd, at the age of 88.

John was highly regarded in the profession for his input into the development of Irish engineering and was influential in the engineering decisions regarding many notable buildings across the country including churches, public buildings and airport projects.

Born on April 2nd 1925 a member of an intellectually renowned family, John Gwynn graduated from Trinity’s engineering programme at the top of his class, and was recruited by Thomas Garland, at whose celebrated engineering firm he practised in a lead role for more than half a century. His influence in engineering was profound. He had a creative approach to problem solving and in bringing forward innovative solutions.

While his generous, gentle nature and willingness to share credit in the teamwork is what those with whom he worked will remember, John had an extraordinary talent, was a gifted mathematician, an analyst of rare insights, a beautiful draftsman, and an all-round engineer of broad scope.

John’s father, the Revd Robert Malcolm Gwynn, was a life-long academician, professor of Hebrew and Biblical Greek at Trinity, who rose to be vice-provost for a number of years. His mother, Eileen Gertrude Glenn, was one of the first class of women to graduate in medicine at Trinity in 1914. It was to his mother that john ascribed his gift for mathematics.

From both his parents he learnt the deep concern and consideration for other that was a hallmark of his character. One of six children, John is survived by his sister Beatrice.

Even towards the end of his life, when his memory started to fail, he never lost his inquiring spirit that delighted in new ideas, advances in technology and instances of human ingenuity or resourcefulness. Modes, and uncomfortable with praise, John’s response was always “I’ve been a very lucky man”. His funeral was in St. Ann’s Church in Dawson Street, and his ashes now rest in the columbarium there.

May choirs of angels sing him to his rest.

Philippa Reid.