Survey Data
Reg No
15309011
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Original Use
Gates/railings/walls
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1900 - 1910
Coordinates
242955, 254402
Date Recorded
06/09/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Main entrance gate to St. Finian’s College (15309012), erected c.1908, consisting of central carriage entrance flanked to the north and south by pedestrian entrances. Six channelled ashlar limestone gate piers, on square-plan, with overlaid panels and cartouches and having moulded ashlar limestone capstones over. Carved urn finials with fruit and flower motifs over inner piers with ball finials over outer piers. Inner piers support cast-iron double gates with cast-iron gates to pedestrian entrances set in wrought and cast-iron surround. Cast-iron panel over central entrance having crest of St. Finian’s College. Coursed limestone screen walls (on quadrant plan) with ashlar coping and wrought-iron railings over connect outer piers to either side. Coursed limestone boundary wall runs away to north end south. Located to the southeast of Finian’s College (15309012) and to the north of Mullingar.
Appraisal
A fine and highly ornamental gateway serving as the main entrance to St Finian's College (15309012). Well-maintained, these gates retain their early form and character. This gateway is a physically expression of the confidence of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland at the turn of the twentieth century and an important part of the built heritage of the area. The stonework and metalwork is all to a very high standard and is superbly executed. It is an attractive feature along the main Mullingar to Longford Road.