1908 – Design for Agricultural College, Athenry, Co. Galway

In the modernising Ireland of the early 20th century, a series of agricultural colleges were constructed to education the Irish farmer in latest techniques and ideas. Sadly, this building by W.A. Scott was never constructed. Illustration published in the Irish Builder, 8 August 1908.

Scott worked in London from 1899 to 1902 and was there influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. While in England, he worked in various offices including Frederic Chancellor & Son, and for the second and third years was in the Architect’s Department of London County Council. Initially he was in the housing section and from May 1900 in the Fire Brigade Branch.

His ecclesiastical work, mostly for Irish Catholic churches, was influenced by Early Irish Christian and Byzantine architecture. At his best, Scott utilised simplified forms, reducing a design to a cleaner outline or appearance. His domestic architecture was influenced by Voysey, as is this design for the agriculture college.

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