1823 – Gilson Endowed Schools, Oldcastle, Co. Meath

The Palladian formula of a large central block with lower links and wings used here for a endowed school building funded by Laurence Gilson. Gilson “declared his desire that all the children of the said parish, being natives thereof, should be admitted thereto, to whatever denomination they might belong, and he further expressed his desire that Protestants as well as Roman Catholics should be equally eligible to be appointed masters of the said School, according to their respective merits.” The architect was Charles Robert Cockerell who also designed Loughcrew House outside the town. The owner of Loughcrew House was one of the trustees of the school when it opene in 1823. Still a school today.