Survey Data
Reg No
21520002
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Historical, Social
Previous Name
Coláiste Mhuire Gan Smál
Original Use
College
In Use As
College
Date
1895 - 1901
Coordinates
156763, 155909
Date Recorded
27/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached eleven-bay four-storey rendered purpose-built college building, built between 1899-1902, in the Italianate manner. Distinguished by full-height three-sided canted bay windows to flanking breakfronts and centrally-placed gabled entrance breakfront entered at first floor level. Five-bay four-storey side elevation to north, with single-storey cruciform-plan refectory structure, c. 1960, attached. Further three-bay four-storey over basement north-facing elevation, starkly rendered, linked to former by canted bay. Multiple minor accretions. Multiple-bay west-facing rear elevation with plain render treatment, enriched only to southern end bays; with various return and stair hall projections and network of flat-roofed single-storey accretions to west. Pitched natural slate roof with crested terracotta ridge tiles; multiple interlocking secondary pitched natural slate roof structures. Shouldered rendered chimneystacks to main roof with yellow brick chimneystacks to rear span, having plain clay pots. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Unpainted rendered façade, and side elevations, each embellished by channel rusticated raised basement elevation, continuous sill course to each level, modillion eaves cornice and rusticated soldier quoins to all angles. Limestone-faced pediment with medallion framing date: 1898. Plainly treated rendered rear elevation with yellow brick eaves course. Channel rusticated rendered refectory elevations. Square-headed window openings to front elevation, plainly treated basement at basement level, having moulded architrave surround to ground and second floor level on limestone sill courses, and having entablature over each opening at first floor level. One-over-one timber sash windows throughout, with ogee horns. Paired square headed openings to breakfront at first and second floor level with plain rendered architraves, and enriched by segmental pediment spanning both openings to first floor; glazed with leaded coloured glass panes. Plainly treated square-headed window openings elsewhere, with limestone sills, and bipartite one-over-one timber sash windows, and margin-paned one-over-one timber sash windows. Doorcase comprising polished granite pilasters on limestone plinth bases (one forming inscribed foundation stone), with fluted limestone capitals supporting plain limestone entablature, which frames a round-arch door opening with profiled arch voussoirs. Tripartite doorframe comprising glazed sidelights over panelled timber bases, double-leaf glazed panelled doors and margin-paned glazed overlight. Opening onto limestone entrance platform arrived at by flight of limestone steps flanked by rendered limestone capped plinth walls. Multiple secondary door openings, all plainly treated, with panelled timber doors and overlights. Well conceived entrance hall incorporating flight of stone steps, beyond segmental-arched inner porch screen. Fine stair hall with original tiled flooring, and cantilevered granite open well stairs supporting cast-iron balustrade and heavy timber handrail. Encaustic floor tilework to corridors with multiple segmental-arched dividing walls with glazed timber porches. Many original features with a fine character to various rooms, albeit rendered with some economy. College faces onto hard surface car park with limited lawned areas. Enclosed from South Circular Road by fine rubble limestone boundary walls with distinctive cylindrical rubble limestone entrance piers and steel gates. Enclosed from Prospect Avenue by rendered plinth wall supporting replacement mild steel railings. Formal gate entrance, pre-dating the College building, and possibly once accessing the original Prospect House, forming limestone ashlar piers joined by rendered limestone capped screen walls one incorporating pedestrian entrance, and closed by mild steel gates.
Appraisal
Built to the designs of William Henry Byrne, the sheer scale of this college building is staggering. The cost of the college was £18,501 and further additions cost £3,750. While the Italianate embellishment relieves it somewhat, there is an overwhelmingly institutional character than bears upon the viewer. Evoking authority and superiority the design incorporates an outer flight of steps and inner flight, which students originally treaded to enter the college building, no doubt intended to inspire obedience. The college was instituted by Bishop O'Dwyer with the Sisters of Mercy, who have carried on the exemplar education practices of their founder, Catherine McAuley, in the training of many of the countries primary school teachers. The house occupies the lands of Prospect House, which was demolished to make way for it.