granby row

Was it part of the school?

will show this to my colleague who was a Colaiste Mhuire pupil tomorrow. should get to the bottom of it.

Could this be the School’s Theatre?
There’s a sign above the doorway of one of the Georgians on the square saying ‘Amharchlann Mhuire’, i think it’s either the corner building or the next one in, which would put your Hexagonal building there just behind it?

Just a guess!

@igy wrote:

Could this be the School’s Theatre?
There’s a sign above the doorway of one of the Georgians on the square saying ‘Amharchlann Mhuire’, i think it’s either the corner building or the next one in, which would put your Hexagonal building there just behind it?

Just a guess!

Good guess as my colleague confirmed it is a purpose built theatre that was used occasionally for school plays etc. it has an upstairs/mezzanine that had canteen and assembly facilities, hence th rooflights. His best guess was that it was built as a vanity project off the back of a bequeath and was built to keep up with the jones’ (ie Belvo) in having top notch facilities. He doesn’t recall it being used much by outside performance groups.

Sounds like a bit of a white elephant and it was reckoned it would have a short lifespan due to Colaiste Mhuire only having a short term lease…

They used to hold Slógadh in it occasionally. I remember going there with my school c. 1977.

@newgrange wrote:

They used to hold Slógadh in it occasionally. I remember going there with my school c. 1977.

Yes the 70s were the heyday of martial arts, . . . . that and Yoda classes
(learning to talk backwards are you!)

What’s happening to that building anyways?
(the school?)

Isn’t it now owned by the state? The Howley Harrington plan for Parnell Sq suggested it be turned into a boutique hotel like the Merrion..

Owned by the state alright – part of the compensation for the state covering the costs of the sexual misconduct of various priests – i believe that the place is falling apart in want of renovation for new use.

I’d say we’ll see very little movement here in the next 12 months