Survey Data
Reg No
30308006
Rating
National
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social
Previous Name
Central Hospital
Original Use
Nurses' home
In Use As
Building misc
Date
1930 - 1940
Coordinates
129021, 225723
Date Recorded
24/07/2008
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached Art Deco former nurses' home, built 1933-38, in hospital complex. Comprises twelve-bay three-storey wings flanking with rounded ends, flanking seven-bay four-storey central block, middle entrance bay of latter block projecting slightly outwards and upwards. Ten-bay four-storey return to west meets main block via stepped profile connecting bay. Multiple recent additions to rear of corrugated sheet metal construction. Flat roofs throughout having concrete coped parapets, concealed gutters and cast-iron rainwater goods (downpipes). Open concrete-roofed balconies to end bays of main block. Roughcast render to walls with exception of front block which is coursed rock-faced granite blockwork including plinth and pilasters, latter concrete-capped and separating ground floor of wings into seven bays and also flanking main bays of entrance block. Square-headed window openings, with concrete sills and mullioned-and-transomed timber casement windows to upper floors. Tooled and treated stone surrounds to ground floor bays having chamfered sills, pilaster-style jambs, plain cornice over fluted frieze, with replacement uPVC windows and French doors. Rounded end bays to ground floor, with square-profile column to open porch to east end and timber bowed casement windows to west. Treated stonework surround to vertical ribbon stairwell window of entrance bay, with stone surrounds, mullions and fluted transoms, with multi-pane metal-framed windows. Square-headed recessed window openings to rounded bays having treated stone surrounds and sills with iron multi-pane fixed and casement windows. Square-headed openings to entrances, having treated stone surround to main entrance with moulded cornice to parapet, clock to upper wall, and double-leaf panelled timber doors. Double-leaf timber glazed doors to entrance in recessed porch of east wing. Granite block surround to basement level entrance having block lintel, double-leaf timber glazed door and three-pane overlight. Stepped approach to main entrance with raised terrace walkway to front of building.
Appraisal
This landmark building with its distinctive Art Deco design is one of the most recognisable buildings in Galway. Its expansive and distinctive façade adds to the imposing nature of the building which dominates the surrounding area. Still in use by the health services for training and office services, the building is also an important reminder of the importance placed on the role played by nurses in the community.