Survey Data
Reg No
20862021
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic, Historical, Social
Original Use
School
In Use As
School
Date
1910 - 1915
Coordinates
167028, 72883
Date Recorded
26/04/2011
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached twelve-bay two-storey red brick school, dated 1911. With two-bay gable-fronted breakfront to centre. Pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, limestone verge coping, stone kneelers, red brick corbelled chimneystacks, stone crucifix at gable apex and profiled rainwater goods. Red brick walls laid down in Flemish Bond with red and yellow brick stepped decorative eaves course, recessed window bays having corbelled cornices, yellow brick platbands, yellow brick and stone dressings and chamfered plinth course. Pointed arch window openings with rubbed yellow brick window heads having roll moulded soffits, Portland Stone impost blocks, stone sills and timber multi-paned fixed pane windows having multi-pane overlights at first floor. Partially re-fenestrated. Blind oculi to front (east) and south gables. Paired pointed arch door openings at central breakfront with moulded limestone surrounds springing from engaged Doric columns on octagonal pedestals surmounted by limestone bust, recent mild steel double gates and limestone threshold. Accessed via set of steps from car park level having render railings with saddleback coping. Two-bay, two-storey section to north west having glazed upper storey provides connection to school building at west. Forms one element in a large complex of school buildings, including 1960s buildings to north-west and 1990s school buildings to north-east.
Appraisal
This polychromatic brick school building was constructed in the early twentieth century to commemorate the first centenary of Christian Brothers education on the site. Replete with fine brick detailing this is a landmark building which appears to be in very good condition externally. Forming an essential element in a complex of education buildings at the site, this building is an important example of the legacy of the advancement of technical education in the early years of the last century. The building has been well maintained and the school continues to present a coherent aspect with the original attributes surviving in place together with most of the original fabric. An attendant range similarly presents an early twentieth century character and contributes positively to the group and setting values of the site. The building is also an important part of Cork’s social and educational history, with former Taoiseach and renowned sportsman, Jack Lynch, and patriot and former Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence McSwiney, among its past pupils.