Survey Data
Reg No
13003003
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Social
Previous Name
Saint Mel's Diocesan Seminary
Original Use
Hall
In Use As
School
Date
1910 - 1920
Coordinates
213717, 275481
Date Recorded
01/09/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Detached three-bay two-storey former college hall and gym having breakfront and pediment to the main elevation (southwest), built c. 1915. Six-bay side elevations (northwest and southeast) with advanced bays to the north end. Now in use as school hall and classrooms. Hipped slate roof with moulded cornice to parapet and cast-iron rainwater goods. Painted roughcast rendered walls over dressed limestone plinth with flush dressed limestone quoins to the corners. Venetian style window set in round-headed bay to main (southwest) elevation at ground floor level, flanked to either side by square-headed window openings with moulded render surrounds. Pedimented tripartite window over with moulded render surrounds to main elevation (southwest) at first floor level, flanked to either side by square-headed window openings with moulded render surrounds having moulded cornices over. Round-headed window openings with moulded render surrounds to side and rear (northeast) elevations at ground floor level, square-headed openings with moulded render surrounds at first floor level. Dressed limestone sills with six-over-six and two-over-two timber sliding sash windows, some replacement uPVC windows. Square-headed entrance opening to southwest face of advanced by to the southeast side elevation east elevation having moulded render surround, timber panelled double leaf door, accessed via steps. Round-headed entrance opening to northeast elevation with moulded render surround, replacement timber panelled door, sidelights and spoked fanlight. Accessed via steps. Situated within the grounds of St. Mel's College (13003002) to the east of the main building and to the east of Longford Town.
Appraisal
This auxiliary structure to the main building of St. Mel's College has a similar treatment to its main elevation with pediment, Venetian window inset into round-headed recess, flush quoins and the pedimented window openings. Although altered, this building forms an integral part of the St. Mel’s College (13003002) complex, adding to its historic character, and it makes a positive contribution to the architectural heritage of Longford Town. This structure may have been built to designs by T. F. McNamara (1867 - 1947), who was the college architect during the early-twentieth century. It was constructed at a cost of £3,000.