Jeremy Daniel Williams (1943–2015) led a life packed with incident, effort and fun. What usually became obvious to his friends was the depth of his learning, whether of architecture, European history, genealogy, music or literature. All of this was the product of a prodigious appetite for people, buildings and art.

Light and airy sketches and drawings flew from his pen. Architectural ideas might appear on backs of envelopes or on large sketch pads. The sheer extent of his imagination, learning, travel and contacts is to be found in the fifty-six boxes of his notebooks now deposited in the Irish Architectural Archive, including notes on buildings in Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, France, India and Egypt. He works out designs for the redevelopment of Summerhill, for the Taoiseach’s proposed residence in Phoenix Park, for the Millennium competition to replace Nelson’s Pillar and for the hotel at Powerscourt, County Wicklow.

His other great gift was for friendship. His clients became his friends, and patrons. It is through their generosity and kindness that Jeremy managed to survive and to share with us the remarkable range of his talents.

These fifteen commemorative pieces by friends, family and colleagues pay tribute to this one-of-a-kind artist, historian and architect. Illustrated by his sketches and photographs, together they capture the protean spirit and personality of this remarkable individual.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS:
JOHN BOORMAN OBE is a film producer: Deliverance, Excalibur, Hope and Glory are among his twenty-two films.
The late NICOLA GORDON BOWE was an art historian and author.
ROSE MARY CRAIG worked for the Irish Export Board. She has organised and led many architectural tours, both on own account and for the Irish Georgian Society.
RENAGH HOLOHAN is a journalist. Former assistant editor of the Irish Times and author of The Irish Châteaux (illustrated by Jeremy Williams).
JOCHEM JOURDAN is a German architect based in Dreieich.
BRIAN LEONARD is a Senior Counsel at The Bar of Ireland.
MARTIN MOONEY is an artist who exhibits in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
DAVID O’GRADY works in international education and farms in County Limerick where he keeps bees and plants trees.
JOHNNY RONAN is a businessman, property developer and owner of Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE).
VALERIE PAKENHAM is a writer and, with her husband Thomas, owns Tullynally Castle in County Westmeath.
DERMOT SCOTT is a retired EU official.
JOHNNY WILLIAMS is a farm manager.
DAVID WILLIS farms in County Sligo.