End of an era in Glasnevin

THE end of an ear was witnessed on the Northside earlier this month when the Irish defence forces left Marlborough Hall in Glasnevin after 75 years.

Whitehall College of Further Education is now the sole occupant of the striking building, the history of which continues to evolve.

The landmark building was designed by James Franklin Fuller and officially opened as a teacher training college in 1908 by the Lord Lieutenant during a ceremony attended by the great and the good of the day.

It was extended in 1911 and again in 1919, and has been described as having a

‘severe institutional style’.
The site, comprising 27 acres, is on a plot known as Bank Farm on the banks of the River Tolka.

During its existence Marlborough Hall, later renamed as Colaiste Caoimhin, has served as a teacher training college, a convalescent home (twice), a preparatory school (go leir as gaeilge) for potential teachers, HQ of the Defence Forces Medical Corps and as a temporary shelter for refugees from Northern Ireland in 1922.

From 1939 to 1988 the building was home to the finance branch of the Department of Defence.
With Whitehall College returning the building to its original use as an educational institution, Marlborough Hall has come full-circle in its history.

Whitehall College of Further Education, a college of CDETB, offers a wide range of programmes to students and adult learners.