Joseph Francis Delany was born in Co. Tipperary, Ireland on 13 October 1872 [or 1873 - sources differ] and attended Clonmel School of Art, the City of Dublin Technical Institute and Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. From 1892 to c.1896 he was articled to Walter Glynn Doolin (1850-1902) and remained with him as his assistant for a further year. He then worked as an assistant in the Royal Engineers Department in Dublin in 1897-98 and to Charles James McCarthy, the Dublin City Architect. In 1903 he was appointed City Engineer of Cork, a post he held until 1924.
Although Delany retired to Clonmel in 1924, he maintained an office in Dublin from 1926 to 1936.
He was elected a Member of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (MRIAI) in 1898 and a Licentiate of the Royal institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1925 and died in Dublin on 18 October 1942.
Works: Visited America on inquiry into American methods of municipal engineering and architectural practice: general works of public utility as embraced in municipal practice: housing, libraries, baths, markets, fire stations, public offices, &c. [Source: Who's who in Architecture 1914]
See also the Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720-1940 for a list of architectural and civil engineering projects in Cork from 1904-1927
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001