1819 – Royal School, Cavan, Co. Cavan

The Royal School Cavan was one of a number of ‘free schools’ created by James I in 1608 to provide an education to the sons of local merchants and farmers during the plantation of Ulster. The original intention had been to have a “Royal School” in each of Ireland’s counties – James I Order in Council read, “that there shall be one Free School at least appointed in every County, for the education of youth in learning and religion.”, but only five were actually established. The present purpose-built neo-Classical school was designed by Francis Johnston and built at a cost of £7,553 and completed in 1819. With three principal elevations, the eastern elevation was articulated by pedimented end bays with tripartite windows – only one of which survives. Almost all the widnows have been replaced unsympathetically to the design.