Famous abbey to become new Irish school

GAELIC supporters on the Southside were delighted last week after it was confirmed that the famous Loreto Abbey in Rathfarnham will become a permanent home for an Irish speaking secondary school.

Described as one of the most attractive examples of Georgian architecture in Dublin, the well-known 291-year-old building was sold to the Department of Education last week.

The department now plans to use the site for a new Irish language post-primary school, Gaelcholáiste an Phiarsaigh, which is due to open in September.

The building is located on a site of approximately 4.5 acres in one of the most sought-after residential areas of the Southside.

The abbey, where Mother Teresa studied English, is steeped in history.

The main building was formally known as Rathfarnham House and was built in 1725 by William Palliser, the only son of the Right Reverend William Palliser.

In 1821 Archbishop Murray of Dublin purchased the property for the Irish branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From 1823 to 1999 it operated as a boarding school.

Following its closure in 1999, the building and surrounding site was acquired by Riversmith Limited, who developed the adjoining residential complex on the grounds.

The conversion of Loreto Abbey to a nursing home was part of the overall master plan for the site. However, this phase of the development did not proceed.

There were extensive renovations carried out on the buildings to weather proof the fabric prior to the launch of the property on the open market in September 2013.

The sale was handled by property consultants, Savills, on behalf of the Receiver, David Carson of Deloitte.

Savills had a wide range of enquiries ranging from developers and speculators to owner occupiers and institutional bodies.

Jill Horan of Savills said they were delighted to have been involved in such a unique sale.

“It is a good news story, which will see Loreto Abbey restored it to its former purpose, a school,

? she said.

“The main building is one of the most attractive examples of Georgian architecture in the Dublin region and the buildings and surrounding site lend themselves perfectly for use as an educational facility.

?

The sale of Loreto Abbey included a number of buildings, including the main Georgian house, a church building, north and south gate lodges, and a concert hall, which comprised 92,860 sq ft in total.

Minister Alex White (Lab) congratulated the pupils and parents who worked so hard for the establishment of a second level Irish speaking school on the Southside.

“I’m delighted that students will now have the opportunity to learn through the medium of Irish at post-primary level,

? he said.

“It’s important that pupils and parents have this choice available to them.

“I’d also like to commend Minister Ruairí Quinn and the Department of Education for the purchase of the grounds at Loreto Abbey.

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